Phil Brooks aka CM Punk has no doubt been into various kinds of battles, on and off the ring. And in what should perhaps be the biggest of all his off-ring problems comes a defamation suit filed against him by WWE physician Dr. Chris Amann.
The lawsuit was a result of Punk's tirade of accusing the WWE of not following proper concussion protocol when he was rushed back into the ring. Punk was apparently referring to the 2014 Royal Rumble where he claimed to have competed with a baseball-sized lump on his back.
Punk revealed such in a podcast last year with buddy Scott Colton (Colt Cabana). The two-part podcast was the first time that Punk had spoken publicly about his departure from the WWE where alleged medical malpractice was signed as one of the reasons for doing so.
And that celebrated podcast is something that Dr. Amann believes has hurt his integrity as a medical practitioner. Amann is seeking more than $1 million in compensatory damages and an undisclosed amount in punitive damages.
For their part, the WWE issued a statement in response to Punk's allegations. Despite Punk's accusations, the WWE made it clear that they have the utmost confidence in their physicians, Dr. Amann included.
With regards to Punk's claims, the WWE made their own investigation and came up with the following results.
- Punk did not discuss his condition with the WWE nor anyone in the WWE Talent Relations department.
- There were no medical records that documented Punk's condition
- The WWE was made aware of his condition only on August 22, 2014, where he was no longer connected with the WWE.
- There is clear video evidence of the 2014 Royal Rumble that show no baseball-sized lump on Punk's back.
Dr. Amann filed the charges last Thursday at the Illinois Cook County Circuit Court. He further adds that he never treated Punk for any cyst on his back and the he has always followed the WWE's concussion protocol.
