Judge Rules That Dr. Carlon Colker’s Defamation Case Against Janel Grant’s Attorney Will Continue

An update on the case.

Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics and POST Wrestling provided an update on Dr. Carlon Colker’s defamation case against former WWE employee Janel Grant’s attorney, Ann Callis.

Judge Sarah F. Russell denied Callis’ motion to have the case dismissed at this early stage. Below is an excerpt from Thurston’s write-up:

Russell, who is also presiding over Grant’s lawsuit against WWE and Vince McMahon, was unconvinced by arguments from the Callis side that Colker is a public figure. The defendants’ motion to dismiss the case at this phase largely hinged on their argument that the doctor, and his clinic by association, were public figures. Individuals and entities that courts determine are public figures generally face a higher burden of proof in defamation cases. They need to show the defendant acted with “actual malice,” meaning the defendant knew the statement was false or acted with reckless disregard for its truth or falsity. Private figures, on the other hand, generally only need to show that the defendant made a false and damaging statement.

The doctor and his clinic Peak Wellness are suing Callis and the law office at which she is a partner, Holland Law, over comments Callis made on a press call and in a press release in October 2024, alleging that Colker “violated ethical and medical standards when he injected unknown substances into Janel’s body and directed her to take unlabeled pills while dismissing her basic questions about those drugs,” among other claims about Colker’s treatment of Grant. Colker vehemently denied the allegations.

As more information becomes available about the case’s unfolding, we’ll update you here on Fightful.