Introduction to the Incident
LOS ANGELES – Raja Jackson, the son of former UFC fighter Rampage Jackson, was arrested for a felony after a brutal attack on professional wrestler Stuart "Syko Stu" Smith was livestreamed. The assault, which took place during a staged wrestling event, reportedly left Smith with a serious head injury and multiple facial fractures.
Felony Assault
What we know: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department records show Raja Jackson, 25, was arrested Thursday and remained in a Los Angeles jail on a $50,000 bond in the morning.
Brutal Beatdown
The backstory: The assault took place last month at the KnokX Pro Wrestling Academy in the Sun Valley neighborhood of Los Angeles. Jackson allegedly climbed into the ring and body-slammed Stuart Smith, a professional wrestler known as Syko Stu. Following the initial slam, Jackson reportedly threw at least 20 punches to the head of the apparently unconscious wrestler. He was eventually pulled off Smith by several other wrestlers and fled. Smith spent several days in intensive care before being released Aug. 31.
Details of the Assault
After the incident, Smith detailed his injuries on social media. He sustained a "serious head injury, … trauma to both the upper and lower jaws, a laceration to his upper lip and a fracture to the maxilla bone, which unfortunately resulted in the loss of several teeth," according to a post on his Instagram. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: LAPD investigating Raja Jackson wrestling incident
Wrestling Academy Reaction
What they’re saying: KnokX Pro Entertainment & Academy released a statement on Facebook condemning the actions. "What was supposed to be a planned and agreed-upon wrestling spot turned into a selfish, irresponsible act of violence against Mr. Smith," the statement read. "This egregious act is reprehensible and never should have occurred. In the 17 years of operation of KnokX Pro Wrestling Academy, there has never been anything as heinous take place such as this and we apologize to our patrons and fans."
Rampage Jackson Statement
The other side: Rampage Jackson offered a different perspective on his son’s actions. Rampage Jackson said the assault was part of a previously planned performance that "went wrong" after Smith apparently angered Raja Jackson by unexpectedly hitting him in the side of the head earlier in the day before the match. "Raja was told that he could get his ‘payback’ in the ring," Rampage Jackson wrote. "I thought it was a part of the show. 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! He suffered a concussion from sparring only days ago and had no business doing anything remotely close to physical contact." Rampage Jackson was the UFC light heavyweight champion in 2007 and 2008, and he fought for several MMA promotions until 2019. He has also worked as a pro wrestler and an actor, most notably playing B.A. Baracus in the film reboot of "The A-Team" in 2010.
Conclusion
The incident involving Raja Jackson and Syko Stu has raised concerns about the safety and regulation of professional wrestling events. The fact that the assault was livestreamed and the severity of the injuries sustained by Smith have sparked outrage and calls for greater accountability within the industry. As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen what consequences Raja Jackson will face for his actions.
FAQs
Q: Who is Raja Jackson?
A: Raja Jackson is the son of former UFC fighter Rampage Jackson.
Q: What happened to Syko Stu?
A: Syko Stu, whose real name is Stuart Smith, was brutally attacked by Raja Jackson during a staged wrestling event and sustained serious head injuries and multiple facial fractures.
Q: Where did the incident take place?
A: The incident occurred at the KnokX Pro Wrestling Academy in the Sun Valley neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Q: What is the current status of Raja Jackson?
A: Raja Jackson was arrested and remained in a Los Angeles jail on a $50,000 bond.
Q: How has the wrestling academy responded to the incident?
A: KnokX Pro Entertainment & Academy released a statement condemning Raja Jackson’s actions and apologizing to their patrons and fans.
