Play video content EXCLUSIVE TMZ.com

'RHOA' star Peter Thomas denies hitting a bar patron so hard the guy smashed his head, and TMZ has the video that could clear Peter's name.

We obtained surveillance video from inside Sports One -- Peter's bar in Charlotte -- where a guy named Brandon Link claims Peter pushed him into a table and he fell over and hit his head.

The security cameras definitely captured a dispute between Link and Thomas, and there is a shove. The injured head part -- is not so clear. In fact, it's non-existent in the video.

As we've reported ... Link filed a police report, claiming battery, and cops have issued a criminal summons for Thomas to talk to investigators.