WWE doctor files defamation lawsuit against CM Punk, Colt Cabana; WWE backs doctor
UPDATE: Days after Dr. Chris Amann filed a defamation lawsuit against Phil "CM Punk" Brooks and his friend Scott "Colt Cabana" Colton, the WWE took it upon itself to respond as well with a detailed statement and a video on its web site.
"In light of CM Punk's allegations regarding WWE's medical staff and the subsequent defamation lawsuit filed by Dr. Amann against CM Punk, WWE continues to have the utmost confidence in the ability and expertise of our world-class team of physicians, including Dr. Amann," the company said on its site.
The WWE then revealed that it did its own investigation into the Brook's most damning allegation, which he claimed he was allowed to wrestle with a baseball-sized lump on his back that out to be a staph infection. Brooks claimed the lump, which he said was located right below the waistband of his wrestling trunks, could have killed him if he kept it any longer than he did.
The WWE countered with a bulleted statement and footage of Brooks wrestling in the 2014 Royal Rumble, the night before he abruptly left the company.
WWE's investigation has shown the following:
- CM Punk did not discuss this alleged condition with WWE's team of physicians and trainers, nor did he discuss it with anyone in our Talent Relations department.
- Subsequently, WWE has no medical records documenting this alleged condition.
- The first time WWE was made aware of this alleged condition was when we received a letter from CM Punk's attorney on Aug. 22, 2014, after WWE terminated his contract.
- There is clear video evidence from the 2014 Royal Rumble, which allows all to decide whether there is any appearance of a baseball-sized growth on CM Punk's back.
The WWE then encourage people to watch said video and decide for themselves. Well, here's the link to the video. What do you think?
-- End of update --
When Phil "CM Punk" Brooks detailed the numerous injuries that went unchecked during his final days as a WWE superstar on Scott "Colt Cabana" Colton's podcast in November, it sent shockwaves throughout the wrestling world as it seemingly exposed the company as negligent and uncaring toward its performers.
Brooks' claims may also get him into some litigation as well.
That's because the man at the center of the WWE's supposed negligence, Dr. Chris Amann, has filed a defamation lawsuit against Brooks and Cabana, according to a report in the Cook County Record.
The suit, which was filed in Cook Country Circuit Court, alleges the Brooks and Colton knowingly made false and defamatory statements about Amann and his practices, which could have hurt his integrity as a licensed physician.
Amann, who has been the WWE's senior ringside physician since 2010, is seeking $1 million in compensatory damages. He's also seeking an undetermined amount in punitive damages.
You can read about Books' claims about Amann, here.
From the report:
Amann, a Will County resident who has worked as the senior ringside physician for WWE since 2010, claims the duo's statements were false, defamatory and put him in a false light by improperly insinuating a "lack of integrity … and/or inability or lack of competence to perform his professional duties as a medical doctor.
The reason Colton is being roped into the lawsuit as well is because he lent a hand in Brooks making his false statements about Amann.
Amann claims Brooks and Colton "knowingly fabricated the false and disparaging statements" about him, knowing they would be heard by third parties, such as WWE fans and the media, given their celebrity statuses.
In his complaint, Amann says the statements made the defendants "are highly offensive in that they accuse [him] of a gross lack of integrity as a medical doctor, an inability to perform his professional duties as a medical doctor, and in placing the financial interest of his employer above life-threatening health conditions of his patients.