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During the early 2000's, I reviewed many pro wrestler books for LordsofPain.net / WrestlingHeadlines.com which you can check out by going here. In all honesty, reading pro wrestler books for the sake of reviewing them for LoP actually encouraged me to read often during that time. One such book that I picked up was former baseball player Jose Canseco's Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'Roids, Smash Hits, and How Baseball Got Big released during 2005. It was brutally honest, as Jose revealed not only his steroid use, but other players' use as well. The book was controversial for its time and helped increase the seriousness of cleaning up Major League Baseball for performance enhancers. At the time, the media speculated on how true Jose's allegations were and when the players named would SUE him. In fact, Jose Canseco was on various radio shows at the time and he stated repeatedly "if I'm wrong, sue me". Nobody sued... Which brings me to CM Punk's interview or discussion on indy wrestler Colt Cabana's podcast. In case you haven't seen it, please go to the video below OR read the text of it as transcribed by CagedSeats by Clicking Here (God bless Geno Mrosko for transcribing this, damn!!). Alright WWE Corporation, Triple H, and Ryan Reeves ("Ryback")... If what CM Punk said was untrue, SUE HIM. Now, I know that some of you will suggest that Punk has "Freedom of Speech". Yes, CM Punk does have 1st Amendment rights to freely speak his mind and not be restricted by the United States Federal Government... But the 1st Amendment is about protecting speech from government restriction. What you say about companies or individuals is much different and you can be subject to liability based on what you say, especially if untruthful. Welcome to a term called defamation, which is defined as communication of a false statement that harms individuals, religions, businesses, groups, etc.. Thus, if anything that CM Punk said is truly a false statement, then he could be sued. After all, the WWE Corporation, Triple H, and Ryback have reputations to uphold and Punk's words could cost them millions. Aside from the booking issues, which I've already gloated about already (I was right about the "burial of 2011" - Click Here), CM Punk made the following significant claims about the WWE and various employees: (A) WWE's Medical Staff - Clearing wrestlers early, not treating wrestlers properly, poor concussion testing, and ignoring Punk's possible staph infection. (B) Called Ryback a "Steroid Guy". (C) Regarding a "piss test", he questioned if Triple H recently took a drug test. "Did you? And he had nothing to say". (D) Unpaid royalties for various events. (E) Alleging bias on WWE's Wellness Testing by amending the program to reset those wrestlers with one or two strikes. To name a few... WWE is a publicly traded corporation. They have investors who own stock in their company and from CM Punk's interview, it could appear to them that the WWE has a dangerous workplace and that wrestlers may not be compensated adequately for their work. WWE went under congressional testimony following Chris Benoit's 2007 actions and worked hard to create the perception that the WWE Wellness Policy was legit. What CM Punk is alleging is contrary to the reforms of that policy from 2007. It would suggest that wrestlers might still be beating tests (Ryback), some wrestlers are exempt from testing (Triple H), or that certain wrestlers are getting exemptions from the policy. With Ryback and Triple H being named, both have reputations to uphold. Ryback failed a Wellness Policy test during July 2006, which Punk's "steroid guy" comment could question what happened to testing since 2006? With Triple H, this wouldn't be the first time he's alleged to be exempt from the testing. Rob Simmons, who squared off with Linda McMahon during the 2010 Republican Primary in Connecticut, went on the attack and questioned if Triple H was ever tested (LINK). There is always that famous story where Scott Steiner was supposed to take a drug test but only would if Triple H took one too (LINK). As far as we know, no lawsuits for defamation of character on either case whether it was written by Simmons or spoken by Steiner. Good chance that Triple H doesn't care because he's made lots of money from the business and is now a key executive of the WWE. Ryback has much more to lose by the "steroid guy" allegations. After all, the WWE is trying to rehab his character by reinvigorating his babyface push. There's a good chance that "STEROIDS, STEROIDS, STEROIDS" chants could happen at live WWE events now thanks to CM Punk's comments. If these are false statements and Ryback has repeatedly passed Wellness Policy tests since 2006, he should aggressively go after CM Punk via lawsuit. Thanks to the Benoit murders, being a "steroid guy" isn't exactly a great label to have these days in pro wrestling. With the way that the National Football League is getting hammered on concussions stuff, paying out billions to former NFL stars for their health issues after the game, I'd expect that federal regulators to begin questioning the WWE on their policies. After all, Chris Benoit was suffering from early signs of dementia at the time he killed his family. Punk alleged poor concussion testing and the pressure by WWE officials and medical staff to come back early from all health issues. If the NFL can go under scrutiny for its handling of current and former football players' health, then the much smaller WWE can easily feel the wrath too. The unpaid royalties and the question as to what CM Punk's status was could harm the WWE, too... Punk alleged that the WWE owed him royalties from 2014 activities as well as needing to reissue a check from 2013. Instead of receiving money, Punk received termination papers. Just after Punk went home after Royal Rumble 2014, Vince McMahon told investors that Punk was "taking a sabbatical". Turns out, he was sent home to never return. Meanwhile, money possibly owed wasn't sent to Punk and WWE opted to terminate him instead. Just based on CM Punk's comments alone, investors have to worry about workplace safety, drug testing, and payments to wrestlers. Investors DO NOT like it when there's a chance that federal regulators could be sniffing around. And that's why WWE Corporation, Triple H, and Ryback MUST respond. If CM Punk is making false statements, especially ones that could cause federal government scrutiny, then he should be held liable for his slanderous comments. Otherwise, silence justifies what CM Punk said and he's going to be a bigtime player in pro wrestling or mixed martial arts if proven right by his allegations. I believe that I've heard that Punk's no-compete clause in his WWE settlement is for 1 year... If unchecked, he can continue ripping the WWE on some form of competition. Not good for the WWE... Ball is in your court, WWE, Triple H, and Ryback... According to YouTube numbers, the Colt Cabana interview of CM Punk has about 1,000,000 listens and will only grow with time. Punk got his story out there just as the Authority was dissolved following Survivor Series 2014. Early reports have Triple H furious over Punk's comments and he should be. Much of the creative criticisms were aimed at him, along with other matters. Tomorrow night, Vince McMahon will be interviewed on Steve Austin's simulcast podcast on the WWE Network following RAW. Will any mention of Punk occur there? Last week, AJ Lee ripped the Bella Twins by saying "talent isn't a sexually transmitted disease", attempting to take a clever wink at the Brie Bella being married to Daniel Bryan and Nicki Bella dating John Cena. Will the Bellas return fire by ripping AJ Lee for her husband quitting? Now that Punk has said what he said, will the WWE open fire through the Bellas? AJ Lee's career is quite interesting now, more than ever... WWE could get in major trouble if they harassed her because of her husband but they have every right to book her to lose every match until her contract is up. HOWEVER, the WWE actually needs AJ Lee because the Divas Division is quite awful these days. Buckle in, folks... It's not everyday that you see a breaking story like this hit the internet. It's one of those stories that has a real chance of being a "game changer" in the industry, especially if other pro wrestlers take Punk's lead and challenge the WWE on their workplace practices. Maybe unionize... SO JUST CHILL... 'TIL THE NEXT EPISODE! Comments and feedback are welcome. Follow and Tweet me @titowrestling or login in below to post comments. © Mr. Tito and LordsofPain.net/WrestlingHeadlines.com - 1998-2014
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