WWE Superstar CM Punk -- Gunshot Victim Deserves BACKSTAGE PASSES!

Getting shot in the face has its perks, particularly if you're a wrestling fan -- just ask Thomas Dotterer, who's being treated like a champ by the WWE just days after some thugs blasted him while robbing his Syracuse liquor store.

The 77-year-old was in critical condition last week after taking a bullet to the eye ... but instead of complaining, he told the media he was more upset about the outcome of the WWE Royal Rumble because his favorite wrestler had lost!!!

"The Rock beat [CM] Punk. Did you know that?"

Word of the tough-as-nails fan got back to the WWE ... and the org. raced to get in touch with the guy.

In fact, we're told Dotterer already got a phone call from CM Punk and was promised ringside seats and a backstage pass the next time the org. comes to Syracuse.