After a mentally and physically exhausting trial that CM Punk was fortunate to have not turn into a financially exhausting one (beyond attorney fees), he's still headed for a cell on Saturday as he has his second MMA fight.
Punk and friend Colt Cabana were being sued due to a 2014 post-WWE episode of the Art of Wrestling Podcast that saw Punk go on a tirade regarding his care under WWE medical staff, namely the plaintiff, Dr. Chris Amann. After avoiding the nearly $4 million that Amann sought, Punk briefly spoke to Fightful.com.
"I'm happy, I'm relieved. I'm happy for Colt Cabana, my friend, first and foremost. I'm happy for me second. I'll always protect my friends and family," Punk told us. "This has been pretty frivolous. I'm shocked it made it this far. I was always confident, because all I had to do is tell the truth. I'm grateful for the jury coming to the correct verdict. Being in court is nerve racking.
After spending nearly eight years on WWE's main roster, Punk told Fightful's Steven Muehlhausen that he's excited at the prospect of not having to deal with anything relating to the case again.
"I hope it's all over, and I never have to talk about it again, and hear certain names and certain words. I don't have to relive me being forced to work through concussions anymore, and people's testimony about it. We can one hundred percent say it's one of the happiest days in my life. I'll always be looking over my shoulder I think," said Punk.
A confident Punk also surprisingly stated that he thinks the pressure of the trial has helped him ahead of his Saturday fight with Mike Jackson at UFC 225.
"I feel good, I look good, I'm not trying to cut a promo or anything. I think in a weird way, this trial made me ultra focused on what I have to do Saturday," Punk closed."
You can see our wrap up podcast of the afternoon and verdict below. Fightful also spoke to Colt Cabana after the ruling, and we'll have full, live coverage of Punk's fight at this weekend's UFC 225, including a live, post-show podcast.
