Former WWE star Gangrel walked away from a terrifying motorcycle accident this week -- but suffered a gruesome elbow injury as a result ... and TMZ has the disgusting photo.

Gangrel (real name David Heath) tells TMZ he was riding his motorcycle in Burbank when he turned a corner was struck by an oncoming car. Heath says he absorbed more of the impact than his actual bike.

He was eventually rushed to the hospital where doctors diagnosed him with a fractured elbow. The bike will survive too, but it needs about $4,000 in repairs.