Introduction to the Incident
A livestreamed wrestling event in Los Angeles over the weekend has sparked a police investigation after Raja Jackson, the son of former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, was seen unleashing a series of punches to the face of a wrestler during what was supposed to be a staged event.
The Incident Unfolds
The video, which went viral, shows the younger Jackson jumping into the ring Saturday night in the middle of a wrestling match involving Stuart Smith, also known as Syko Stu. Jackson picks up Smith and slams him down, with the back of Smith’s head slamming into the mat. Jackson then immediately begins to deliver 23 punches to his face as the crowd looks on. Within seconds, two other wrestlers climb into the ring and pull Jackson off Smith, but he manages to push one off as he tries to get back to Smith. The crowd can be heard screaming as the two men grapple in the ring. Four costumed wrestlers eventually hold Jackson to one of the corners in the ring.
The Aftermath
Video of the incident, which was held at KnokX Pro Wrestling Academy in Sun Valley, was originally livestreamed on Kick but quickly spread on social media and YouTube. The video showed Jackson being escorted out of the gym after the incident. Viewers online questioned whether the incident was criminal or part of the show that had gone too far.
Police Investigation
A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that officers were called to the gym about 9 p.m. Saturday after receiving a report of an attempted murder. The suspect had left the location by the time officers arrived, and the victim was taken to a hospital in stable condition, a police spokesperson said Monday. Officers completed a felony battery report, and detectives have been assigned to the case, officials said. No arrests had been made as of Monday morning.
Statements from Quinton Jackson
Jackson’s father, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, wrote shortly after the incident on X that his son “was told that he could get his ‘payback’ in the ring” after Smith hit Jackson before the event. Video circulating online over the weekend showed a confrontation between Jackson and Smith that preceded their clash in the ring. Smith, who is hanging out in a parking lot with other wrestlers before the show, appears to hit Jackson on the side of the head with a drink can. Smith and Jackson then face each other as others record the interaction on their phones. “I thought it was part of the show,” Quinton Jackson wrote on X. “It was bad judgement, and a work that went wrong. Raja is a MMA fighter not a pro wrestler and had no business involved in an event like this. I don’t condone my son’s actions AT ALL!”
Legal Ramifications
Even if part of the confrontation was staged, legal experts said, the extent of the attack on the wrestler could mean legal ramifications for Jackson. “No one is going to consent to broken bones, broken teeth,” said Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor and now president of West Coast Trial Lawyers. “Jackson’s actions cross the line from choreographed or simulated violence to real violence.” Consent can be a defense to allegations of assault in the case of sports, Rahmani said. In boxing, wrestling or football, for example, athletes consent to being punched or tackled as part of the sport. But this appeared to exceed any kind of consent, Rahmani said. The previous incident involving the drink can would not make much of a self-defense claim, he added.
Conclusion
The incident involving Raja Jackson and Stuart Smith has sparked a significant amount of controversy and has raised questions about the limits of staged violence in sports and entertainment. While the incident is still under investigation, it is clear that the attack on Smith was severe and has resulted in serious injuries. The legal ramifications for Jackson are still unclear, but it is possible that he could face charges related to the incident.
FAQs
Q: What happened during the wrestling event?
A: Raja Jackson, the son of former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, jumped into the ring and unleashed a series of punches to the face of a wrestler, Stuart Smith, during a staged event.
Q: Was the incident part of the show?
A: The incident was not scripted, and what was supposed to be a staged event had turned into a real attack, according to officials for the show.
Q: What are the injuries to Stuart Smith?
A: Smith suffered several broken bones in his face and lost several teeth, according to one of the wrestlers at the event.
Q: Is Raja Jackson facing any legal ramifications?
A: The incident is still under investigation, and it is possible that Jackson could face charges related to the incident.
Q: What has Quinton Jackson said about the incident?
A: Quinton Jackson wrote on X that his son was told that he could get his ‘payback’ in the ring after Smith hit Jackson before the event, and that he does not condone his son’s actions.
