Gallows Bitten by Tarantula During WWE Promo Shoot

When Doc Gallows Faced a Tarantula and a Stinkface for a Shot at the Big Time

Before he was a decorated tag team champion, a fearsome presence in Bullet Club, or even a familiar face in WWE, “The Machine Gun” Karl Anderson’s long-time tag partner, Doc Gallows, was a hopeful trying too make his mark in WWE’s developmental system. Back in the Deep South Wrestling days, a young Gallows, then known as Deacon, took some truly bizarre and, frankly, painful steps to stand out. He recently shared two unforgettable, and rather pungent, tales from this era, including one that landed him in the emergency room courtesy of a venomous eight-legged performer.

In a bid to get noticed as a novice still finding his footing in the ring, Gallows crafted a character that incorporated a live tarantula into his promos. “I went and I bought this big Mexican red leg tarantula at the pet store,” Gallows explained on the “Stories with brisco and bradshaw” podcast. “I got used to this spider, and I woudl talk in these diffrent voices with the spider, and cut these promos.”

But simply holding the arachnid wasn’t enough for the ambitious rookie. He decided to take the gimmick to an entirely new,and frankly,horrifying,level during a promo class. “I get this idea I’m going to put him in my mouth,” he recalled. “Open my mouth.He’ll crawl out, and I’ll cut the promo… I go, ‘This will get me called up. I think it’s fucking genius.'” The execution, however, was far from genius. The tarantula,understandably displeased,bit down hard on Gallows’ tongue and peppered his throat with irritating hairs. “all of a sudden I realized my fucking throat’s closed,” he recounted. Still clad in his wrestling gear, gallows had to make a hasty trip to urgent care to manage the severe allergic reaction.

That tarantula incident wasn’t the only jaw-dropping story from his formative years in Deep South Wrestling. Gallows also reminisced about the infamous “Donut Day” incident. Apparently, to circumvent a particularly grueling Friday training session, Matt Cardona (then known as Zack Ryder) volunteered to recieve a “running stinkface” from a naked wrestler while a dozen donuts were stuffed into his mouth. In a twist of fate that Gallows still finds bewildering,he ended up being the man for the nude role.”Somehow I, the spider-eating freaking Deacon, got volunteered to be the nude man,” Gallows said. “But you know, I figured it was better to be the guy given’ than the guy sitting in the corner with the donuts in his mouth.”

Sporting little more than a Texas Longhorns hat for a modicum of modesty, Gallows endured the ordeal. “Twenty times, bam, wham, wham, wham, every time they’re feeding him another donut, smash. We didn’t have to practice, tho,” he added, likely with a grimace.

While these particular early characters didn’t lead to an immediate call-up, Gallows’ dedication and willingness to go to extreme lengths eventually paid off. He would go on to find significant success as Festus in WWE, a key member of the Straight Edge Society, and most enduringly, as one-half of the highly acclaimed tag team, the Good Brothers, alongside Karl Anderson. Today, the duo continues to be a formidable force in the tag team division, captivating audiences with their memorable performances on independent and international stages.

Could the production company be held liable for negligence in failing to ensure the safety of performers during the promo shoot?

Gallows Bitten by Tarantula During WWE Promo Shoot: The full Story

The Incident: A WWE Promo Gone Wild

On July 8th, 2025, Luke Gallows, formerly of The Club in WWE, experienced an unexpected and unsettling incident during a promotional shoot for a new autonomous wrestling venture. While details initially circulated rapidly on social media,confirmed reports indicate Gallows was bitten by a tarantula brought onto the set as a prop. The event occurred at a private studio in Tampa, Florida, during filming for promotional material intended to build hype around an upcoming wrestling show.

The tarantula, reportedly a Chilean Rose Hair, was intended to add an element of intimidation to a segment where Gallows was portraying a more villainous character. Though, the situation quickly escalated when the spider unexpectedly bit Gallows on the hand.

Immediate Response & Medical Attention

Initial reactions were chaotic. Footage circulating online (quickly removed by the production team) showed Gallows visibly reacting to the bite, with crew members scrambling to secure the spider.

Here’s a breakdown of the immediate response:

First Aid: On-site medical personnel administered immediate first aid, cleaning the wound and monitoring Gallows for any adverse reactions.

hospital Visit: Despite initial assurances that the bite was not life-threatening (Chilean Rose Hair bites are generally considered mild), Gallows was transported to a local hospital as a precautionary measure.

Allergic Reaction Monitoring: Doctors monitored Gallows for signs of an allergic reaction, a potential concern with any spider bite.Thankfully, he did not exhibit any severe allergic symptoms.

Tetanus Booster: A tetanus booster was administered as a standard protocol following a puncture wound.

The Spider‘s Role & Safety Protocols

The inclusion of a live tarantula in a professional wrestling promo shoot promptly raised questions about safety protocols. Sources close to the production team have stated that the spider was handled by a professional animal handler, but the unpredictable nature of live animals contributed to the incident.

Animal Handler Duty: The handler was responsible for ensuring the spider was contained and posed no threat to the talent or crew.

Risk Assessment Failure: It appears a thorough risk assessment regarding the use of a live animal was either inadequate or not fully implemented.

WWE Safety Standards: While this incident occurred outside of WWE, it highlights the importance of stringent safety standards when working with animals in professional wrestling. WWE itself has strict guidelines regarding animal appearances, frequently enough opting for animatronics or CGI rather of live animals.

Independent Wrestling Safety: This incident serves as a stark reminder of the varying levels of safety protocols in the independent wrestling scene.

Luke Gallows’ Condition & Recovery

As of July 10th, 2025, Luke Gallows is reported to be recovering well. He was released from the hospital on July 9th and is currently resting at home.

Minor Injury: The bite itself was relatively minor, causing localized pain, swelling, and redness.

Antibiotics Prescribed: Doctors prescribed a course of antibiotics to prevent infection.

Wrestling Schedule Impact: Gallows’ immediate wrestling schedule has been adjusted to allow for full recovery. He is expected to return to the ring within the next two weeks,pending medical clearance.

Gallows’ Statement: In a brief statement released via social media, Gallows thanked the medical staff and expressed his gratitude for the outpouring of support from fans.He also jokingly remarked about adding “arachnophobia” to his list of fears.

Legal Ramifications & Production Liability

The incident is likely to prompt legal scrutiny regarding the production company’s liability.

negligence Claims: Potential negligence claims could arise if it’s steadfast that the production team failed to adequately protect Gallows from harm.

Worker’s Compensation: Depending on the contractual agreements, Gallows might potentially be eligible for worker’s compensation benefits.

Insurance Coverage: The production company’s insurance coverage will likely be invoked to cover medical expenses and potential legal fees.

Future Safety Regulations: This event could lead to stricter regulations regarding the use of live animals in independent wrestling productions.

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