KnokX Pro is experiencing significant internal fallout following the violent, off-script assault by Raja Jackson on wrestler Syko Stu. According to comments made by Doug “The Epic” on the Masters of Wrestling podcast, the promotion is losing students at a rapid pace and owner Rikishi is planning a complete overhaul of the school.
Doug “The Epic” described the situation as heartbreaking due to his admiration for the WWE Hall of Famer.
“From what I’ve heard, Rikishi is going to overhaul everything,” he stated. “They’ve lost a good number of students… the students are dropping like flies, and they’re planning a complete overhaul.”
The exodus of talent follows WWE formally distancing itself from the promotion. The company recently removed KnokX Pro from its official talent recruitment page, a move that came after the school had already removed all mentions of its WWE affiliation from its social media platforms.
This crisis stems from an incident on August 23, when Raja Jackson, son of former UFC champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, legitimately attacked Stuart “Syko Stu” Smith in the ring during a live-streamed show. What was reportedly planned as a “work” escalated when Jackson body-slammed Smith and delivered more than 20 punches to his head after he appeared to be unconscious. The assault left Smith convulsing in the ring.
In the immediate aftermath, KnokX Pro released a statement condemning the attack as a “selfish, irresponsible act of violence.” Quinton “Rampage” Jackson also issued an apology, noting his son had suffered a concussion days prior and should not have been involved in any physical activity. Raja Jackson’s account on the streaming platform Kick, which broadcast the assault, was suspended for violating community guidelines.
Following the attack, Smith, a U.S. Army veteran, was hospitalized in critical condition. He was later reported to be stable and communicative after being treated for facial fractures and the loss of multiple teeth. The Los Angeles Police Department is actively investigating the incident, though no arrests have been made.