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CM Punk wins defamation lawsuit filed by WWE doctor days before UFC return
CM Punk can now breathe easy heading into UFC 225.
Punk, whose real name is Phil Brooks, was found not guilty today in a defamation lawsuit filed by a WWE doctor against him and pro wrestler Colt Cabana.
Dr. Chris Amann was seeking $4 million and additional punitive damages, claiming that comments made by Punk and Cabana during a 2014 podcast caused him stress and damaged his reputation.
In the November 2014 podcast interview conducted by Cabana, Punk recalled his medical issues and treatments in the months leading up to him walking out of WWE following the Royal Rumble. Though he was rarely mentioned by name in the podcast, Amann felt Punk’s claims directly damaged his reputation and caused distress.
Amann told jurors he was harassed and humiliated by fans and that the podcast hurt his standing with patients. However, the WWE ringside physician couldn’t point to any monetary damages, and he remains employed by the company.
Much of the testimony centered around a lump on Punk’s backside, which Punk felt made him ill over an extended period. Punk contended Amann didn’t properly treat it. Amann claims he never saw it. His attorneys showed numerous texts and emails regarding Punk’s health and at no point did Punk put anything in writing with WWE doctors about the lump.
In the podcast, Punk said the lump ended up being a staph infection that ultimately could’ve cost him his life. It was shown in court that the lump was diagnosed by a physician’s assistant as a lump. Even so, the P.A. who treated Punk labeled it a possible staph infection – but never tested it.
Punk said the podcast was his way to “set the record straight for my fans” and tell his story. He told jurors he wouldn’t change anything about the interview.
The trial started last Tuesday, taking place in Cook County (Ill.) Circuit Court.
It was all unfortunate timing for Punk, who has been spending time in a court room while preparing for his much-anticipated return to the octagon this Saturday at UFC 225 from United Center in his native Chicago, where he’ll face Mike Jackson on the pay-per-view main card.
Punk is hoping to rebound from a disastrous UFC debut in September 2016, when he was submitted by Mickey Gall in the first round of their UFC 203 bout.
To follow a full recap of closing arguments from the case, check out WrestleZone.com.
For more on UFC 225, visit the UFC Rumors section of the site.
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