Paul Heyman praised departed WWE Superstar CM Punk on the WWE Network's ECW Exposed special Monday night and he stood by his support of the "Best in the World" on Twitter after the show was over.

Updated Planned Matches For Survivor Series On Nov. 23

Heyman, who managed Punk at times in the WWE and has always been a supporter of him on the microphone and behind the scenes, continued to praise the former WWE Superstar during the network special that he hosted alongside former ECW announcer Joey Styles.

Heyman said that back in 2006 when the WWE was coming up with the new version of ECW, that he wanted to center it around Punk. A photo of Punk was then shown and Heyman said that the former WWE Champion would have done very well in the original ECW had he been around to take part in it.

Diamond Dallas Page Responds To Roman Reigns Taking Acting Classes

Scott Fishman of the Miami Herald pointed out Heyman openly discussing Punk -- who is on bad terms with the WWE -- on his official Twitter account after the special aired.

"Paul Heyman with the chutzpah to mention CM Punk on #WWE TV and stand behind his opinion that he is #BestInTheWorld. #ECWExposed," Fishman tweeted.

Heyman, who also praised Punk in the opening segment of the March 3 edition of Monday Night RAW in Punk's hometown of Chicago, stood by his comments.

"@smFISHMAN I praised @CMPunk LIVE ON RAW in Chicago when he and @WWE had just parted ways. #BITW Now, Then, 4ever!"

Punk walked out on the WWE back in January a day after the Royal Rumble due to his frustration over the way his character was being used as well as due to being burned out by the company's rigorous travel schedule.

Punk has made many public appearances since his departure, but has not shown any desire to come back to the ring anytime soon, even going as far as to tell a reporter at the AP Music Awards that he was "never ever" returning to the squared circle.

The WWE has kept the mentions of Punk to a minimum, even keeping his cameo appearance in the WWE Studios movie Queen of the Ring out of advertisements on YouTube and WWE.com.

Punk may never grace the wrestling ring again in the WWE, but to Heyman and others he is still the "Best in the World."

For more coverage, follow us on Twitter @SportsWN and Like Us on Facebook