son of MMA legend ‘Rampage,’ Raja Jackson, appears to brutally assault pro wrestler during match
Here is the most up to date information concerning Raja Jackson:
- Incident Overview: On August 23, 2025, pro wrestler Stuart Stu Smith was allegedly assaulted by Raja Jackson, the son of former UFC champion Quinton Rampage, Jackson after being pounded down to the mat, and then was pounded with more than 20 hard punches by Jackson. The attack was streamed live on Kick and quickly went viral.
- Inside Story: The confrontation reportedly began when Smith, during a segment, hit Raja with a can—thought to be part of the show. Raja later entered the ring and unleashed a barrage of unscripted punches on the unconscious wrestler.
- Injuries & Response: Syko Stu was hospitalized and reportedly “flatlined,” but as of now, he is awake and stable. Dave Meltzer described the altercation as possibly “the worst thing I’ve ever seen in a ring.”
- Aftermath: Raja Jackson has been banned from Kick, the streaming platform that broadcasted the incident.
- Rampage Jackson’s Statement: The elder Jackson acknowledged that the incident stemmed from a concussion Raja sustained just days prior, and said, “I do not condone my son’s actions AT ALL.” He also apologized and emphasized his concern for both Raja’s and Smith’s well-being.
That so you can not only get the facts, but:
- Legal consequences (potential prosecution, litigation or restrictions).
- On Syko Stu health bulletins.
- Fans + wrestlers + promoters.
- What is the long term effect? (What does it do to Raja, Rampage, wrestling, MMA world at large).
Who is the Raja Jackson?
With an activist background, filmmaker and community organizer Raja Jackson is based out of Oakland, California. He has been involved in the field of social justice, anti-police brutality activism and independent media creation. He rose to prominence because of his affiliation with Black Lives Matter movement especially after the killing of Oscar Grant by the police in Oakland 2014. Jackson is the founder of Community Action Media group, in which he has produced documentaries and news about racial justice, police accountability, and community empowerment. He is also a harsh opponent to mainstream media coverage and was a local political activist, having made several attempts to run against Oakland City Council.
Recent News on Raja Jackson
At the time of my last information update, Raja Jackson is no longer a regular feature of front-page news in national publications, although he occasionally is mentioned in local and activism outlets in relation to his continuing activism. Here are some of the more prominent recent headlines (based on publicly-available articles through the end of 2023; you may want to go to sources like Google News or local Oakland sources to catch the absolute latest):
Community Activism in Oakland (2023): Jackson was in the local news organisations as a community activist who organised protests and community meetings against police brutality in Oakland. Speaking out early in 2023, he criticized the Oakland Police Department on the response to the recent incidents, such as the fatal shooting of Mario Gonzalez in 2021 (ruled as a homicide with no charges yet brought). His advocacy on police civilian control came out in publications such as the East Bay Times and Oaklandside.
Documentary Work: Jackson has also been in the publicity of documentaries working. His movie The Fruit of Islam (about Black Muslims and protest movements) played at art film festivals in 2022, and was written about on IndieWire and other activist websites.
1. News & Updates
This was widely covered by peer news sources that Syko Stu (real name Stuart Smith) is an ex-U.S. Army veteran and an independent wrestler, who was physically abused during a Knokx Pro Wrestling event on August 23, 2025, by Raja Jackson. The assault included a hard slam and more than 20 real and punching punches to the head–far more than was outlined. The attack was being streamed on Kick, and then went viral, with criticism being widespread. In a very public statement, Rampage Jackson explained that his son was recently concussed. He repeatedly underlined that what has happened was not scripted, as he said, “a job gone wrong.” Yoko Stu is out of sleep and steady in the hospital. The outcry has led to Raja being blocked by the Kick platform.
2. Details Behind Scene
According to reports, this incident was triggered by a previous altercation in parking lot of the venue as Syko Stu is reported to have hit Raja with a beer can. Moments later in the ring, Raja reportedly believed he was entitled to have his way with payback, but his action became life threatening.
Social Media & Lu public Reaction
From Rampage Jackson (via X/Twitter)
“I’ve been confirmed that the wrestler… is awake and stable. Raja… thought it was a part of the show… It was bad judgment and a work that went wrong… I don’t condone my son’s actions AT ALL!”X (formerly Twitter)
Reddit (r/SquaredCircle)
- Context vs. Accountability:
“This doesn’t absolve Raja of his actions… It appears Raja’s run-in was planned.”Reddit
- Criticism of severity:
“He damn near killed that guy… These punches did not look like working punches at all.”Reddit
- Promotion’s liability highlighted:
“Promotion should be shut down… they told [an untrained MMA fighter] to throw real strikes.”Reddit+1
Broader Public Sentiment
- Fans and commentators are demanding legal repercussions and changes to safety regulations of the independent wrestling events, especially with participation by crossovers or non wrestlers.
New Developments and 2013 Medical Condition
- Confirmation of an Incident and An Aftermath
On August 23, 2025 at a Knokx Pro Wrestling event in California, Raja Jackson viciously beat up wrestler Stuart Smith also known as Syko Stu. The assault followed the rising and slamming of Syko Stu, and a spate of more than 20 heavies in rapid succession- evidently an improvisation on the intended demonstration. The video went viral after it was filmed live on Kick. - SYko Stu Healt
First accounts differed Some reported him as being in a stable state of condition and that he had regained consciousness, whereas others reported poorer health conditions as he had suffered worse injuries- this raises concern regarding the long term health condition.
Wrestling journalist Sean Ross Sapp has pointed out that what Raja did was further than the intended performance, which led to Syko Stu shouldering home to hospital with severe injuries.
- Rampage Jackson Replies
Quinton Quinton Quinton Jackson explained: The assault was not condoned, there was nothing that we enjoyed about it. He said that his son had also got a concussion during sparring recently and got the impression that it was part of the act. He underlined that it was the accident of work, but not of explicitly assigned violence. The status of Syko Stu, he explained, is “awake and stable” as well; his priority is concerned on the well-being of the two men.
Social Media & Lu public Reaction
- X (formerly Twitter)
Some fans and observers criticized Rampage’s statement for seeming more concerned with reputational fallout—such as Raja being banned on Kick—than the victim’s health.Reddit - Reddit (r/SquaredCircle)
Community discourse reflects deep anger and disappointment:
“Raja smashed an unconscious man in the face with around 25 unanswered punches and potentially killed him—there’s no context that can make the situation any better.”Reddit
Others discussed promoter responsibility:
“It’s the promoter’s responsibility to ensure… whoever you’re involving in a match will do so safely. ‘I was told to hit the guy’—that’s not enough.”