The road between actuality and leisure was severed on August 23, 2025, when an in-ring incident throughout a KnokX Professional Wrestling occasion resulted in one among its grapplers, Stuart Smith, being admitted to intensive care. His household have now offered an replace on the intense scenario that apparently noticed MMA fighter Raja Jackson wound the wrestler.
Raja Jackson is the son of former UFC Mild Heavyweight Champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and was understood to have been visitor on the KnokX Professional present. He was seen earlier within the day arguing with Smith, who wrestles below the identify “Syko Stu,” after the grappler pressed a beverage can towards his head, later apologizing for the incident. Whereas studies now recommend that this was all a part of a arrange for Jackson to intrude in Smith’s match later within the present, what went down subsequent bought critically out of hand and resulted in important damage.
In professional wrestling, it may be tough to find out what’s actual, and what’s scripted, however in what was seemingly a stunt that bought out of hand, Raja Jackson did intrude in Smith’s match later that day, however reasonably than inflict pretend punches, the video reveals him raining a succession of devastating blows on the blindsided wrestler that left him in a pool of his personal blood. Further footage from earlier than the incident seems to point out a wrestler encouraging Jackson backstage to provide Smith a “receipt,” wrestling terminology that means getting your individual again for actual after being disrespected.
Once more, whether or not this was a “work” or actual life was not clear as of the time of writing, however what wouldn’t have been deliberate was the ferocity of Jackson’s alleged assault, which was streamed reside on KICK for the world to witness. In accordance with fellow professional wrestler, Douglas Malo, Smith misplaced a number of enamel in the course of the assault and was “chocking on his personal blood” by the point different wrestlers eliminated Jackson from the ring. Smith was later rushed to the hospital with many wrestling followers fearing that he may lose his life.
Raja Jackson, 25, son of Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, brutally attacked wrestler Stuart Smith at a Knokx Professional Wrestling . Jackson slammed Smith and threw over 20 punches, leaving him unconscious and hospitalized.😳
— Rain Drops Media (@Raindropsmedia1) August 24, 2025
Stuart “Syko Stu” Smith’s household present replace after incident with Raja Jackson
“Thanks for each one among your payers, issues, and sort phrases for my brother Stu,” wrote the wrestler’s brother, Andrew, by way of Fb on August 25. “Please proceed to maintain him in your Prayers. He’s presently steady, however in vital care. At the moment, we’re targeted on his restoration and admire his thought.”
Stuart Smith has talked previously about his life as a U.S. Military Veteran and the way getting within the ring has helped him to cope with PTSD. In an earlier assertion, KnokX Professional Wrestling mentioned that what had initially been deliberate as a pre-planned battle “was a egocentric, irresponsible act of violence towards Mr. Smith.”
In fact, blurring the strains between “actual” combating and professional wrestling has been round nearly so long as the artform itself. In a latest chat with M&F, Floyd Mayweather Jr revealed how he’d been inspired to punch Paul “Huge Present” Wight for actual throughout a stunt in WWE. The distinction right here is that officers and expertise labored intently to guarantee that everybody was knowledgeable and consenting. Raja Jackson may be seen hitting Stuart Smith greater than 20 instances throughout their altercation nonetheless. This led many followers and observers to name for anybody getting concerned in a professional wrestling present to obtain sufficient bodily coaching and psychological analysis earlier than being allowed to step between the ropes. Raja’s father, Quentin Jackson, has additionally launched an announcement calling the incident “dangerous judgement, and a piece that went incorrect.”
Police at the moment are investigating the matter.