Mickey Gall wrestles CM Punk during a welterweight bout at UFC 203 on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Cleveland: CM Punk could have used a folding chair or a tag-team partner.
Out of pro wrestling's scripted ring, his first trip into the octagon didn't last long.
Punk, who was one of WWE's biggest stars when he left it two years ago to try his hand in ultimate fighting, tapped out just 2:14 into the first round after he was pummeled and choked by Mickey Gall on the UFC 203 undercard Saturday night.
The 38-year-old Punk was on his back less than 10 seconds into the fight. Pinned up against the octagon's cage, he was unable to get out from under Gall, who landed numerous blows to both sides of Punk's head.
Looking confident and mugging for the sellout crowd, Punk, whose debut had been delayed by injuries, entered Quicken Loans Arena to "Cult of Personality" by Living Colour, the song he used for years on the WWE circuit.
After stepping into the eight-sided arena for the first time, Punk smiled as he looked across at Gall, an up-and-coming welterweight from New Jersey who had called out the famous wrestler and pledged to "destroy" him.