A newly surfaced video has revealed that Raja Jackson, son of former UFC champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, explicitly planned to go off-script to get revenge on wrestler Stuart “Syko Stu” Smith. The confession was made shortly before the now-infamous incident where Smith was brutally assaulted in the ring.
This statement of intent preceded an altercation at a KnokX Pro Wrestling event on Saturday, August 23. During the show, Jackson entered the ring, slammed Smith to the mat, and delivered more than 20 punches to the apparently unconscious wrestler’s head and face before being pulled away by others.
The Los Angeles Police Department has since launched an investigation into the matter, confirming that a felony battery report was filed. Officers were initially dispatched to the KnokX Pro Wrestling Academy on Saturday night following a report of an attempted murder, but Jackson had already left the venue. As of Monday, August 25, no arrests have been made.
Stuart Smith was transported to a local hospital, where his family reported he is in “stable but in critical care.” According to another wrestler who intervened, Smith suffered facial fractures and lost several teeth in the attack.
The incident occurred after Smith was seen on video hitting Jackson on the side of the head with a drink can prior to the show. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson stated his son was told he could get his “payback” in the ring, leading him to believe it was a “work that went wrong.” He also noted his son had suffered a concussion from MMA sparring just days earlier.
However, KnokX Pro Wrestling’s official statement contradicts the idea that the attack was part of the show. The promotion condemned the assault, calling it a “selfish, irresponsible act of violence” and clarifying that what was meant to be a planned segment devolved into a genuine attack.
Further complicating the narrative is another video recorded before the event, in which Raja Jackson stated, “It’s always been my dream to give a pro-wrestling a beat down.” In a livestream immediately following the assault, Jackson was informed that Smith was “flatline,” to which he replied, “My bad.”
In response to the footage, the livestreaming platform Kick has suspended Raja Jackson’s account. The company cited a violation of its community guidelines, which prohibit the streaming of excessive violence.