This guy from OTRS delivers another outstanding video on this issue!
MUST WATCH stuff.
You know, that's a great point.
He walked out on WWE and his fans, acted like he was Billy Bad Ass for it, then spends the next 2 years training for this debacle. He didn't fight any small time fighters like Brock or Batista did, he was handed a spot on PPV he didn't do a thing to earn aside from being a famous pro rassler, and he got destroyed by a kid much younger and much more experienced. 2 years of training for a humiliating 2 minute fight where his "tough guy" image was completely shattered. I think a lot of people are mistaking respect for pity.
I'm not even sure WWE would want him back now. Not after that.