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Deputy Sheriff recounts saving Scott Steiner’s life in 2020

Posted: Aug 17th 2025 By: Ian Carey

The Georgia Deputy Sheriff partially responsible for saving Scott Steiner’s life in 2020 has opened up about the experience.

Chris Johnson, who is also a wrestling promoter and co-owns Lariato Pro Wrestling with Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows, was a guest on The Good Brothers’ Talkin Shop podcast recently. He spoke about being backstage at Impact Wrestling’s show on March 6, 2020 in Atlanta when Steiner collapsed backstage and was later taken to hospital.

Johnson said:

“Scott’s out there and he’s cutting his promo and he’s fired up as always. And he comes to the back and he did nothing in the ring but throw a clothesline. I mean, he took no bumps. He did nothing. So he’s walking to the back and I just happened to walk back there. For whatever reason, I just happened to go check on something. And Scott’s laying in the floor. And there’s people around him and they’re holding his hand and they’re talking to him.”

“So, I get close to him and he’s purple, like his lips are purple.”

“I jumped in and I start the compressions, chest compressions. I hear somebody like, why’s he doing that? And I’ll tell you why, because if you’re unresponsive, even though you’re not breathing, if you’re getting blood pumped to your organs, they’re usually going to be okay. Even when you get shocked or whatever, come back. If you keep that blood pumping, you keep that blood going to the brain, you still got oxygen in your blood, you’re probably not going to go brain dead.”

“And there’s another guy that jumps in because I don’t know if you’ve ever done chest compressions, but after so long, you’re just winded. So another brother jumps in and he’s doing some chest compressions and we swap out a couple of times. And then they come in with the defibrillator and all the things and shock him and send him on his way (to the hospital). And I’ll be honest, I told him this after we talked, I did not think he was alive when he left.”

Doc Gallows related to Johnson that Steiner credits him with having saved his life that night.

Later that night, Tommy Dreamer posted to social media to let fans know that Steiner was doing well, writing, “Im at the hospital right now w/ @ScottDAmore @JoeyRyanOnline. Scott Steiner is doing well. And under great care. Say a prayer for Big Poppa Pump. Holla if ya hear me.”

The following day, Steiner’s wife Christa posted to social media thanking everyone at Impact Wrestling for taking care of him: “First of all I went to thank everyone @IMPACTWRESTLING for taking such great care of my husband @ScottDAmore @THETOMMYDREAMER @johnnyswinger2 @JoeyRyanOnline @IMPACTWRESTLING & Cobb County EMTs. We appreciate all the well wishes, thoughts & prayers. He will make a [100 percent] recovery.”