Doc Gallows was an important part of TNA Wrestling’s well-known Aces & Eights group, but his stint with the company lasted only about a year due to issues with his contract. On a recent episode of The Story of Brisco and Bradshaw, Gallows shared the details behind his departure along with some amusing behind-the-scenes anecdotes, including one involving a gimmick hammer.
Hammer Incident
Gallows recounted a mix-up involving two gimmick hammers used during a match where he was supposed to hit "Cowboy" James Storm with a rubber mallet. Due to some confusion, he was handed a much sturdier prop. He explained, "There were two gimmick hammers… a show gimmick hammer and a TV gimmick hammer. He got hit with the wrong one, but it wasn’t… I think it was D’Lo Brown’s fault… he threw the hammer at me while I was in the ring."
Contract Disputes
Gallows’ time with TNA lasted just a year, and he revealed that his departure came because the company failed to honor promised contract raises. "I signed a one-year extension that included a raise," he said. "Bob Ryder called me and said, ‘They like you, but we haven’t given you the raise.’ I told him, ‘You can’t do that.’ We had several phone calls, and I said, ‘If I can’t get the raise, I can’t stay.’ He then said, ‘Well, then we’re releasing you.’”
What angered Gallows most was how the release was handled—announced online without his input. Still, he sees the situation as a blessing in disguise: "If I hadn’t left, I wouldn’t have ended up in New Japan a few months later."
Today, TNA Wrestling operates under a completely new management team and has seen a creative resurgence. The company also has a working relationship with WWE, with NXT talent appearing on its shows.
If you want to quote from this article, please credit the story from Brisco and Bradshaw via AH/T WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
Fan Take: This insight into Gallows’ departure sheds light on the internal struggles TNA faced during that era, which many fans might not have fully understood. Knowing how those contract issues impacted talent like Gallows helps explain the shifts in the wrestling landscape and highlights the importance of strong management for the sport’s growth and stability.
