On Saturday, August 23, in Los Angeles, an alarming incident occurred during a wrestling show when Raja Jackson, the son of UFC fighter Quinton Rampage Jackson, allegedly attacked a wrestler, resulting in serious injuries and hospitalization for the victim. The shocking altercation took place during the Knox Experience, an event organized by the WWE ID affiliated KnokX Pro Wrestling Academy, and was broadcast live on Jackson's Kick account.
As the live stream unfolded, Raja Jackson interrupted a planned match, picking up wrestler Stuart Smith, known in the ring as Syko Stu, and slamming him to the mat. He then proceeded to deliver a series of punches, leaving Smith in a state of unconsciousness. Wrestling journalist Sean Ross Sapp reported on social media that Smith was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries following the incident.
In a statement released on Facebook the following day, KnokX Pro Wrestling described the event as a “selfish, irresponsible act of violence” that was not part of the planned wrestling storyline. The organization emphasized that such egregious acts are reprehensible and should never occur in a professional wrestling environment.
Douglas Malo, a wrestler who attempted to intervene during the attack, spoke to USA TODAY about the severity of Smith’s injuries. He confirmed that Smith was awake and able to talk on August 24 but had sustained multiple broken bones in his face and had lost several teeth. Malo noted that Smith was initially choking on his own blood and teeth, highlighting the terrifying nature of the incident.
Despite the chaos, Malo reported that Smith could potentially be released from the hospital on August 24. The shocking events left a lasting impact, particularly on children who were present during the live show, as many witnessed the violent confrontation unfold.
According to the live stream footage, Raja Jackson had been seen in the backstage area prior to the match. The confrontation began when Smith, while in character, approached Jackson and struck him with a beer can. There remains uncertainty as to whether the can was modified for safety. Following a brief stare-down, Smith was informed that Jackson was not a wrestler, leading to their separation.
Despite the initial conflict, the situation was seemingly resolved when Smith apologized to Jackson after a KnokX trainer, Reno Anoa'i, clarified that the event was meant to be part of the storyline. The two exchanged handshakes, and Jackson was subsequently brought into the match.
However, tensions escalated when Jackson was encouraged by another wrestler, identified as Andre Joel Hudson, to retaliate against Smith. Malo described Hudson as a friend of Jackson’s with a volatile temperament, suggesting that he fueled the situation leading to the attack.
Following the incident, Jackson was seen becoming increasingly agitated while watching the show from the front row. As the match progressed, he was heard saying that he would hit Smith as many times as he could, indicating premeditation to the assault. When the moment arrived, Jackson entered the ring and attacked Smith, leading to a chaotic scene as wrestlers attempted to intervene.
Security escorted Jackson from the venue as he ranted during the live stream, and shortly after, he received a call indicating that Smith was in critical condition. In a post on social media, veteran wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer described the incident as “the worst thing I’ve ever seen in a ring.”
Quinton Rampage Jackson publicly condemned his son’s actions, stating, “I don’t condone my son’s actions AT ALL!” He suggested that Raja had suffered a concussion from sparring a few days prior, leading to poor judgment during the event. Quinton emphasized that Raja is primarily an MMA fighter and should not have been involved in a wrestling event.
In light of the shocking incident, Malo has called for both Raja Jackson and Hudson to face prosecution. He expressed concern for the children who witnessed the event, describing one child as traumatized and confused about the reality of the situation. Malo stated, “This is just absurd on its face,” emphasizing the need for accountability in professional wrestling.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers in live entertainment and the importance of maintaining professionalism in all wrestling events.
