Tag: CM Punk

Colt Cabana Sues CM Punk For Legal Fees, Requesting Over $1 Million In Damages

colt cabana sues cm punk

The friendship between Colt Cabana and CM Punk doesn’t seem like it will be mended anytime soon, as Cabana is suing Punk over legal fees and asking for a lot of money.

The Chicago Sun Times reports Cabana — real name Scott Colton — has filed suit for breach of contract and fraud in regards to their legal battle against WWE doctor Chris Amann.

In the documents, Colt claims Punk promised he’d be “100% covered” in their fight against a defamation battle stemming from a 2014 podcast interview on The Art of Wrestling. Not long after the lawsuit was filed in 2015, the two wrestlers retained the same lawyer and signed an agreement asserting all bills would be sent to Punk.

However, in 2016, Punk suddenly demanded Cabana help with the growing charges.

The email Punk sent was included in the docs:

“To date I have spent $513,736 dollars on this Amman lawsuit. My outstanding current bill is at least 300k. Half of all this is yours. Divide the 513,736 by 2 and that is what you owe me and what I expect you to pay me. Starting now I will no longer be paying your bills. You are on your own. Whatever my bill is currently, will be cut in half, and half will be yours. If you choose to make this all ugly, that’s fine too. I hope you won’t, but I gave up on you doing what is right a long time ago.”

Things continued to get murky in regards to who would be paying the legal team representing them until Colt finally got his own lawyer.

As you may recall, the two wrestlers defeated Dr. Chris Amann in June. Jurors sided with Punk and Colt Cabana after the WWE doctor had trouble proving any real monetary damage occurred.

Cabana is asking for $200K in general damages and $1 million in punitive/exemplary damages.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

CM Punk And AJ Mendez (Lee) Announced For Horror Movie

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CM Punk and wife AJ Mendez (AJ Lee) have been announced for Rabid, a new horror movie that is a remake of the 1977 David Cronenberg movie of the same name.

The movie is being written & directed by The Soska Twins, who directed WWE Studios’ Vendetta and See No Evil 2 movies. The movie will star Laura Vandervoort and Ben Hollingsworth with Punk and AJ in supporting roles. Punk will star as “Billy” while AJ plays a character named “Kira.”

No word yet on the release date for the movie but below is the official press release:

Production Begins on the Feature Film RABID -FeaturingCM Punk and AJ Mendez-

– Written and Directed by The Soska Sisters (WWE Studios’ See No Evil 2 and Vendetta) –

– Remake of the Classic David Cronenberg 1977 Horror Feature Film –

– Starring Laura Vandervoort and Ben Hollingsworth –

– Body Horror Meets the World of High Fashion –

Toronto, Canada – July 17, 2018 – Canadian production company Back 40 Pictures announced today that production has begun in the Greater Toronto Area on the feature film Rabid. Written and Directed by Jen and Sylvia Soska (Dead Hooker in A Trunk, American Mary) and John Serge. Rabid stars Laura Vandervoort (Jigsaw, BITTEN) as “Rose” a demure seamstress who goes through a radical transformation after electing for plastic surgery following a disfiguring accident. Ben Hollingsworth (CODE BLACK) is “Brad” a fashion photographer. Rabid is a remake of the classic David Cronenberg 1977 horror feature film which was executive produced by Ivan Reitman. Rabid also stars Hanneke Talbot (PLAYING DEAD) who portrays Rose’s best friend Chelsea and Mackenzie Gray (LEGION, RIVERDALE) as arrogant fashion designer “Gunter”. Rabid will also feature WWE superstars CM Punk as “Billy” and his wife New York Times best-selling author AJ Mendez as “Kira”.

“It’s a tremendous honor to be re-imagining David’s 1977 body horror classic, Rabid, with such incredible support behind us. We are not fans of the current trend of soulless remakes as they disrespect the fans and the original body of work. Our Rabid is a continuation of the thoughts and conversation David started, but modernized through a female perspective. The film will not only honour his original Rabid but also Cronenberg’s entire body of work. This would not have been possible without a team behind us that cares about the artist as well as the fans,” said Writer-Directors Jen and Sylvia Soska.

Drawing influence from the original movie, the remake is set in the seductive and glamorous world of high fashion and will follow Rose (Laura Vandervoort), a young woman whose disfigurement after an accident leads to a radical and untested stem-cell treatment. While turning Rose into the belle of the ball, the experimental transformation comes at a price.

“I don’t think there’s any bigger fans of David Cronenberg than the sisters, so it was really exciting when they agreed to helm this project. They will put their own stamp on the movie of course, but with nothing but the utmost respect to David, and that’s important when you’re remaking a classic horror film like Rabid, says producer Paul Lalonde. The Soska twins are the hottest young directors in the horror space right now, and our talented cast headed by Laura (Vandervoort) and Ben (Hollingsworth) will give horror fans a rich and chilling character-driven story with plenty of body horror. We’ve got a fantastic cast, a great crew, top notch special effects and industry leading stunt coordinators. And having the whole story set against the backdrop of high fashion, that’s not only a great chance for some important social commentary, it’s also a really fun twist on horror. A peek inside the world of haute torture if you will.”

A71 Entertainment will distribute Rabid in Canada with 101 Films handling the United Kingdom, Back 40 Pictures orchestrating theatrical distribution duties in the United States, and Shout! Studios’ Scream Factory imprint distributing the film across multiple platforms in the U.S. Rabid is produced by Back 40 Pictures in conjunction with Telefilm Canada, Ontario Media Development Corporation and London based, Media Finance Capital. Michael Walker, Paul Lalonde and John Vidette are serving as producers.

Source: WrestlingINC

Joe Rogan Feels That CM Punk ‘Doesn’t Have Any Physical Talent’

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Joe Rogan discussed CM Punk’s UFC 225 loss to Mike Jackson on his recent The Joe Rogan Experience podcast. While calling Punk a nice guy and a hard-worker, Rogan feels that he “does not have athletic talent.” Rogan added that Punk was a showman in the WWE and “allowed to say, ‘I am the f–kin’ man!’, and WWE had it scripted so that Punk was the man.”

Rogan believes that Jackson had “zero fear” of Punk, and could have stopped him at any point in the fight. As a result of Jackson’s showboating, Dana White has kicked him out of the company, and said that he will never fight in the UFC again, despite winning the fight. Rogan feels that if Jackson would have stopped the match earlier, he would have still been fighting in the UFC. Rogan thinks everything about CM Punk in the fight was weird.

“The whole thing was very weird,” said Rogan. Like, right away, when you see CM Punk holding his hands up and moving stiff and throwing kicks, [I’m like], ‘oh Jesus.’ Like, I don’t like that being on pay-per-view. I understand that they are selling pay-per-view cards, but pay-per-view in the UFC should be the elite fighters.”

Instead of Punk vs. Jackson, Rogan felt that Alistair Overeem vs. Curtis Blaydes should have been on the main card. In addition, he felt that Punk’s sparring videos were “crazy,” and “it was like a guy you just showed how to spar.”

He added, “it’s like you took a dude [with] no wrestling background, no nothing, and you go, ‘alright, this is what I want you to do. This is a jab. This is a right hand. When you throw a kick, I want you to pivot your hips. Go in there and spar. I mean, he just doesn’t have the ability to move his body right. There’s a lot of guys that you could take out there—track and field guys, or football players, and you could get them to fight better than him in a couple of weeks. Easily. Because they’re athletes. They’re athletes. They would understand how to shift their weight, [and] throw a punch… he doesn’t have any talent. That’s all it is. He just doesn’t have any physical talent. For whatever reason. Whether it’s his approach, his intensity. It’s not his coaching. He’s with Duke f–kin Roufus.”

Rogan feels that Roufus did all he could do, but he has to have something to work with. He stated, “If Duke just grabbed some dude from a gas station that has been drinking beer and smoking cigarettes his whole life, and had him in a fight in six months, how much can you possibly expect?”

Sources: The Joe Rogan Experience podcast and WrestlingINC

CM Punk Loses Second UFC Fight By Decision

cm punk loses ufc 225

Ex-WWE star CM Punk went the distance during his second UFC fight, but failed to pick up a win.

Punk was defeated by Mike Jackson via unanimous decision following the third round at UFC 225 in Chicago. He was not interviewed in the octagon after losing.

Announcer Joe Regan commended the former WWE champ’s heart, but was pretty harsh for most of the fight on commentary — once criticizing Punk for not being able to do basic white belt maneuvers.

During the post-fight press conference, Dana White seemed less than pleased with the performance of Mike Jackson and said he regretted not putting these two competitors on the fight pass card.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

CM Punk Not Completely Closing Door On Pro Wrestling Return, Reveals His UFC 225 Entrance Song

CM Punk spoke to MMAFighting.com ahead of UFC 225 this Saturday in Chicago. Punk, who will be facing fellow 0-1 fighter Mike Jackson on the main card of the event, admitted that he’s not sure what the crowd response for him will be, although he doesn’t expect it to be like his past WWE matches in the city. He also revealed that he will come out to the fight to Living Colour’s Cult Of Personality, which he used during his WWE and ROH runs.

Punk also talked about “All In” in September and noted that he will not be a part of the event, saying that “it’s not happening.” Punk also noted that he wasn’t directly asked to be a part of the event, or any pro wrestling show.

“Nobody has ever asked me, like straight up asked me, to come wrestle for them. Nobody.” Punk added, “[People have said] hey, if you ever wanna do anything… Nobody’s ever been like, ‘hey, here’s the deal, we’re having a show, we’re paying you X amount and you’re working this guy. Whaddaya say, yes or no?’ Nobody’s ever done that.”

Punk also stated that he doesn’t think that he would accept a real offer to return to pro wrestling, although he wasn’t completely closing the door on it.

“I don’t think so, it’s a hard question to answer, a lot’s happened this week,” Punk said. “I could definitely tell you if you asked me that question a week ago when I still felt like I had a foot in the grave, the answer [would have been] no, I don’t want anything to do with it. I feel like I’m out and the future is yet to be written, it’s a wide open book, it’s my story to tell. I’m just being real, I’m not going to sit here and be like, ‘No! No!’ Something might come up, some fun might be had.

“Right now my heart and my mind and my focus is 100% on Saturday and fighting. So does that mean fighting beyond Saturday? To me that means yes.”

Punk also discussed fighting in the UFC again, how this fight is different from his UFC debut, not knowing if he will fight again after Saturday and more. You can watch the whole interview at this link. We will have live round-by-round coverage of UFC 225 this Saturday, followed by a special Saturday night edition of the Wrestling Inc. podcast with Matt Morgan, Chris Featherstone and myself discussing Punk’s UFC return, NJPW Dominion and more.

Source: WrestlingINC

CM Punk And Colt Cabana Win Defamation Lawsuit Filed By A WWE Doctor

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Jurors sided with CM Punk and Colt Cabana on Tuesday — clearing the pair in a defamation lawsuit filed by a WWE doctor upset with comments Punk made during a controversial 2014 podcast.

The decision came down around 4pm Chicago-time in Cook County Circuit Court, according to Wrestlezone, capping off a libel trial that lasted one week.

Over five days of testimony, Punk and Cabana’s lawyers tried to prove Punk believed what he said during the interview about Dr. Christopher Amann. Ultimately, Amann’s side had trouble proving any real monetary damage occurred. The doctor was seeking $4 million dollars (one dollar per each podcast stream) and additional punitive damages.

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 it 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.

At the end of the day, jurors didn’t see enough to prove Punk and Cabana legally defamed Amann.

With this trial now behind him, Punk has four days to get mentally prepared to step into the octagon. His second UFC fight is set for Saturday in Chicago against Mike Jackson.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

AJ Lee Claims She Pushed Punk To Get Lump Checked Out, Surprised WWE Doc Wasn’t Concerned Sooner

aj lee cm punk trial interview testimony

AJ Mendez Brooks, who performed as AJ Lee, took the stand Monday and confirmed she pushed CM Punk to seek additional treatment over a discolored lump on his backside.

According to Wrestlezone — who had a reporter in attendance — both AJ and Punk were on the stand Monday morning beginning the fifth day of testimony in the libel trial pitting Punk and Colt Cabana against WWE doctor Chris Amann.

AJ noted the lump grew from a zit-sized spot to its largest at the 2014 Royal Rumble. She confirmed text communication about the lump and testified she sent Punk to a physician’s assistant that she believed to be a doctor.

On the stand, AJ told jurors she was surprised Amann didn’t see the lump as a problem sooner.

Before AJ was questioned … Punk was crossed examined by Amann’s lawyers about Friday’s testimony which included the lump, other health issues,and the 2014 Royal Rumble.

Punk said the physician’s assistant he saw definitely referred to the lump as staph but confirmed it was never diagnosed as such.

It’s interesting to note a text was also shown in court in which Punk told Mark Carrano, who is WWE’s Senior Director of Talent Relations, “take me off all shows, I’m sick and have bruised ribs and concussion symptoms.” Notes from Wrestlezone didn’t say when the text was sent.

At one point, Amman’s lawyers brought up the 2014 Rumble and asked if he stayed in the match in an effort to “blow WWE away” — despite being concussed — in an attempt to headline WrestleMania.  Punk simply responded, “I don’t know.”

On Friday, Punk took the stand and cried while recalling the events surrounding that same Rumble match. After composing himself, the UFC fighter told jurors he stands by the comments he made during the infamous podcast interview.

Dr. Amann is asking for $1 million in damages.

Both sides have rested and closing arguments begin today.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

CM Punk Moved To Tears During ’14 Rumble Testimony

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CM Punk took the stand in his own defense Friday morning and was brought to tears while discussing the 2014 Royal Rumble.

During the fourth day of testimony, Punk acknowledged being bitter about wrestling becoming his entire life when he taped the Art of Wrestling interview with longtime friend Colt Cabana, according to Chicago Tribune reporter Gregory Pratt.

Punk told jurors he did the podcast to set the record straight for his fans about the separation with WWE and that the interview was meant to be truthful, just “two friends talking.” Additionally, Punk said his health wasn’t good in 2013 and 2014 citing headaches, sleeplessness, dizziness and nausea. “I’m sure I wasn’t fun to be around,” he told jurors.

While discussing the ’14 Rumble, the UFC fighter began to cry as he described his judgement as “poor” at the time. A break was then called to allow Punk time to compose himself.

According to Wrestlezone, — who published a full blow-by-blow of the proceedings — Colt Cabana was questioned by attorneys prior to Punk taking the stand and told them he never felt the podcast was a lie … saying, “I thought it was a wild story and people deserved to hear it.”

Colt also confirmed seeing the lump on Punk’s back labeling it disgusting, discolored, and raised.

Friday marked the fourth day of testimony. On Wednesday and Thursday, we heard from numerous people involved with the production of the 2014 Royal Rumble event.

The former WWE star ended the day by going over text messages between he and AJ Lee discussing the lump on his back. He also said the podcast interview allowed him to finally move on with his life … adding, “Everything was the truth, and I think the truth can hurt.”

FUN FACT: Punk confirmed under oath that his initials stand for “chick magnet.”

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Day 3 Trial Testimony Centers Around Frustrated CM Punk After Rumble Injury

cm punk royal rumble frustration day three trial testimony

Video testimony played in court Thursday morning painting a picture of an injured CM Punk who was angered by his early elimination from the 2014 Royal Rumble.

According to WrestleZone … taped interviews featuring Kane, referee John Cone, athletic trainer Larry Heck and audio technician Timothy Gaeng kicked off day three of the libel trial pitting Punk and co-defendant Colt Cabana against WWE’s Dr. Chris Amann.

The testimony centered around Punk’s concussion in the Royal Rumble and the chaos that ensued in the moments following the injury.

Kane recalled “illegally” eliminating Punk from the event – a phrase that got a chuckle from Punk inside the courtroom — and said the elimination was planned, but for later in the match.

Cone recalled producers in the back telling him to let Punk know he needed to stay down and that Kane would be coming out to eliminate him.  The ref said Punk responded, “if you make me leave this f*cking match, I’ll f*cking quit right now.”  Cone said after repeating the order, Punk pie-faced him.

It’s worth noting Punk quit the company the next day.

Heck, a 17-year medical veteran of WWE, testified that Amman said Punk had been concussed in the match.  Following the elimination, Heck said he witnessed Punk cuss people out backstage and then leave.  Heck recalled Punk being mad the finish of the match was changed.

Kane, Heck, and Cone testified that they weren’t aware of a lump or infection on Punk’s lower back.

After the videos played, court broke for lunch.

During testimony on Wednesday, Dr. Amann was on the stand discussing text messages between he and Punk, how he disclosed Punk’s medical issues to others, and emotional damage he says has been caused by the podcast.

The trial got started on Tuesday following jury selection.  Proceedings are expected to last a week.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Text Messages Between CM Punk And WWE Doc Revealed In Court

cm punk wwe trial update text messages royal rumble 2014

Text messages centering around CM Punk‘s health issues ahead of his WWE departure were revealed during day two of testimony in the libel trial pitting he and Colt Cabana against a WWE doctor.

Roughly two months of emails and texts focusing on Punk’s medical problems were shown to jurors as Dr. Chris Amann was on the stand Wednesday, according to WrestleZone’s Nick Hausman.

In the communication from early November to mid-December, CM Punk complained about headaches and fatigue — all leading up to a December 2nd text Punk sent to Amann that read: “My head is killing me. Why do I have these headaches?”

Two days later, Punk texted Amann saying he wanted to go to a hospital.

According to Hausman’s court notes, the emails and texts were rolled out by Punk and Cabana’s legal team in response to Amann’s lawyers essentially tying Punk’s health problems to the 2014 Royal Rumble. In that event, Amman said he was summoned to see Punk during the match and the wrestler said he was seeing zig-zags/squiggly lines after taking a clothesline from Kofi Kingston.

At that point, Amann claims he determined Punk was concussed and need to leave the match. Punk, however, made the call to stay in — despite referees requesting he leave the ring — and producer Michael Hayes eventually sent Kane to the ring to eliminate him.

It’s worth noting that after eliminating Punk, Kane then chokeslammed him through a table.

During cross-examination, a slew of emails and text messages were shown which seem to indicate Punk complained about other problems relating to his health — like fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, days of vomit, headaches and more — yet he was still cleared for contact.

In addition to the emails and texts, testimony focused on prescriptions written by Amann, whether Punk had a cyst or back bulge, and how the Amann felt ridiculed made by the accusations on Cabana’s podcast.  Check out Wrestlezone’s coverage here.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet