AJ Mana, a key figure in the violent incident involving Raja Jackson at a Knokx Pro event, has broken his silence, accusing the promotion of turning the assault on Syko Stu into a “worked shoot” specifically to avoid a lawsuit. He claims the promotion’s attempt to frame the situation as part of the show was a direct response to a real-life altercation that happened earlier.
In an interview on the F Y’all podcast, highlighted by PWInsider, Mana stated his on-camera comments encouraging Jackson to deliver a “receipt” were part of this developing angle. He alleges the promoter instructed him to work out the details with Jackson for a single retaliatory strike but denies telling Jackson to carry out the prolonged beating that occurred.
According to Mana, the situation escalated when a member of the Knokx Pro “production team” pulled Jackson aside separately. This individual allegedly told Jackson, “No. Don’t just throw one punch. F**king slam him and keep hitting him until we come in there and pull you off.” Mana claims he was not present for this exchange, as he was preparing for his own match at the time.
The fallout from the incident has been severe for Mana personally. He revealed that he has since lost his day job after his employer saw the footage on TMZ and that he is no longer with Knokx Pro. Mana also expressed that the ordeal has “killed” his passion for professional wrestling.
While Mana’s testimony adds a new layer to the controversy, the incident remains under active police investigation. The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed they are investigating the attack on Stuart “Syko Stu” Smith as a felony battery, which occurred during the Knokx Pro event on Saturday, August 23.
The assault, captured on a Kick livestream, showed Raja Jackson entering the ring, slamming Smith to the mat, and delivering approximately 23 punches while Smith appeared unconscious. The footage led to Jackson being banned from the streaming platform.
Raja’s father, former UFC champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, previously described the situation as a “work that went wrong,” stating his son was told he could get his “payback” in the ring after being hit with a can by Smith earlier. Knokx Pro Wrestling issued its own statement, condemning the “reprehensible” violence and clarifying that a “planned and agreed upon wrestling spot” had escalated beyond their control.