THREAD: I went back and watched the 2014 Royal Rumble and compared it to testimony in the CM Punk-Colt Cabana libel trial vs. WWE’s Dr. Amann.
Here are some notable points:
Footage of Kofi Kingston clotheslining Punk from the Rumble is shown in court. Punk confirms the clothesline gave him a concussion.
[this was the only Kofi-Punk clothesline I saw. It took place 10 min into match]
Amann recalls that about 30 minutes into the match, he came to Punk’s side and knelt on the ground outside the ring.
[I didn’t see this on cam. Looks like it happened here — 20 min after clothesline. At this point, it appeared Punk had communicated a handful of times w/ refs]
According to notes via @WZRebel, Amann asked Punk, “What’s happening? What’s going on?”
Punk responded, “I got rocked,” which Amann interpretted as meaning he had a head injury.
According to Amann, Punk tells him he was, “seeing zig zags and squiggly lines.”
Amann says he told Punk he has a concussion and should eliminate himself.
According to Amann, Punk replied, “I am just going to collect myself and get back in the match.”
Multiple people testify Michael Hayes and/or Triple H gave the order from the back for Punk to be eliminated.
Referee John Cone relayed the message to Punk.
According to Cone, Punk responded “If you make me leave this f&$@ing match, I’ll f$&@ing quit now.”
Cone repeated the direction, but Punk pie-faced him.
Per @RossWBermanIV, Punk tells jurors he agrees that he disagreed with instructions during Royal Rumble.
Punk says he only had one conversation with Amman during Rumble.
Punk never rolled out of the ring and Kane eliminated him.
Punk told jurors he was supposed to be in the final four — which he was.
Kane said in taped testimony he eliminated Punk “illegally” from the Royal Rumble.
Kane says the elimination occurred as planned, though possibly earlier.
[if it happened earlier than planned, it wasn’t by much. Punk stayed in the ring some 40 min after Kofi clothesline]
[One thing I still don’t follow: with so many people reportedly looped in on Punk’s condition, Kane chokeslams Punk through a table after elimination]
Following Punk’s elimination, Dr. Amann is visible on camera.
Several photos from the Rumble were shown in court of Punk’s back with no cyst or back bulge.
You may recall, #WWE released this video of Punk from the event.
That ends match review thread.
My analysis: Punk admittedly didn’t follow orders but not too much was done to get him out early. There was testimony the back was considering sending out Kane early to get him out.
By my count, he was in ring for some 40 minutes w/ head injury.
What are your thoughts?
One more thing worth noting: @TheKevinfinity pointed out Kane is at ringside for awhile before eliminating Punk.
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