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WWE: CM Punk’s Subpoena Against WWE Could Cost Him Fortune

By Harry Austen

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CM Punk’s bitter rivalry against the WWE continues. The on-going feud, which looked to be settled, has taken a hefty turn.

This bitter, and somewhat tedious battle between the WWE and CM Punk, has been going on for some time now.

In February 2015, Dr. Christopher Amann – or as I like to call him, ‘Dr. Z-Pak’ – filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois against Phillip Jack Brooks (CM Punk) and Scott Colton (Colt Cabana). The complaint was made because CM Punk and Cabana questioned Dr. Amann’s professional opinion, moreover, questioned his ability as a doctor on the ‘Art Of Wrestling’ podcast.

Or, as the WWE described it:

"“Falsely impugned the integrity of Amann as a medical doctor”"

The request for judgement was for “compensatory damages in an amount in excess of $1,000,000, punitive damages in an amount to be determined at trial and such other relief that the Court deems just and appropriate”.

Colt Cabana was first to act, submitting a motion to dismiss, in which he called the lawsuit “meritless”. Cabana’s argument against was the fact that he felt the statements on the podcast were not defamatory. Meaning, that he felt the comments weren’t damaging to Dr. Amann’s reputation. Finally, Colt then claimed that “neutral reportage privilege” should protect him in the case. Given the fact that he did not “espouse or concur” with Brooks’ statements. Moreover, he didn’t act “deliberately to distort Brooks’ statements to launch a personal attack of his own”.

CM Punk’s initial response was that he “specifically denies that he falsely impugned the integrity of Plaintiff as a medical doctor”. As well as this, Punk also noted that the “Podcast speaks for itself”, moreover, “denies the characterizations of various statements”.

Dr. Amann made the next move, who had to prove that Punk and Cabana’s statements have affected his reputation, moreover, “falsely impugned the integrity” of him as a medical doctor.

He provided information from his medical malpractice carrier, Hallmark Specialty Insurance Company. This noted that they had “increased his insurance premium approximately 63%, quadrupled his deductible, and his policy has less favorable terms including, without limitation, the elimination of his right to consent to settle any future claims”.

As well as the insurance problems, Amann also claimed he’s suffered “anxiety, stress, and loss of sleep and weight/muscle mass as result of the publication of false statements”.

Finally, he noted that he “anticipates future difficulty in obtaining job promotion within WWE, the continuing effect of the statement on his reputation with prospective employers and patients through access by Internet search engines, the lack of trust in his ability as a physician by new WWE talent”. Amann also noted that Kevin Owens specifically inquired about his acts regarding the statements Punk and Cabana made on the podcast.

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Since Amann’s claims, it’s been an all out war between CM Punk and the WWE. With subpoena’s being sent back and forth, denied, and most probably ignored.

However, in June of 2017, WWE’s counsel submitted an application for attorneys’ fees and costs for the expenses that “WWE was forced to incur in connection with responding to the subpoena” to tune of $241,006.52. The Judge originally ordered a 50/50 split between the two (WWE and CM Punk), thus meaning that the Best In The World owed WWE $120,503.26.

Conversely, in yet another twist – in true Punk style – he objected to paying the expense. He claimed that the WWE had included “expenses for resisting the subject subpoena and for other work that could not benefit” him. Furthermore, “expenses for time entries that are excessive for the task performed”.

Punk did offer another request, one in which “the Court find that the reasonable costs of compliance are 33% of the expenses claimed, and issue a fee award accordingly.”

This means that instead of paying half of $241,007 ($120,503), he would now be paying just $39,776. Which is one-third of the original bill. So equally, Punk could be paying less, however, he’s not expected to win his expenses request.

Next: WWE Rumors: Baron Corbin Has Backstage Heat

And you’re finally up to date. Currently, this is the last anyone’s heard of the case. However, we far from over. With many expecting more arguments to be made over the cost of the subpoena. The case is scheduled to carry on into 2018, with still more information yet to be revealed.

It’s conclusive to say the battle between the WWE and CM Punk has been – and still will be – a long and gruelling one. And for those praying for a CM Punk return in the not so distant future, personally, I wouldn’t hold your breath! There’s clearly still a lot of bad blood between the two, which certainly doesn’t look to be going away anytime soon.

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