What started as a private wrestling event in California quickly made headlines over the weekend after a viral clip showed Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson’s son, Raja, attacking a professional wrestler in the ring.
The 47-year-old former UFC champion weighed in on the shocking incident, calling the wrestler involved “stupid” for his role in the altercation.
Viral Clip Shows Raja Jackson Strike Wrestler
The incident occurred at a Knokx Pro Entertainment event on Saturday, where Raja Jackson, a rising MMA fighter, was attending alongside his coach.
A clip shared widely on social media shows Raja entering the ring during a live Kick stream before repeatedly striking wrestler Stuart Smith—known in the ring as ‘Syko Stu’—more than 20 times while he lay motionless on the canvas.
Tensions Started Before the Event
According to footage from earlier in the stream, Raja had been provoked prior to the match.
Smith had hit him with a can, reportedly as part of the evening’s scripted theatrics.
Despite apologizing and shaking hands multiple times before the ring assault, Smith’s earlier actions seemed to set the stage for the violent response from Raja.
Rampage Jackson Explains the Situation
Speaking publicly after the incident, Rampage Jackson defended his son and criticized Smith for his role in the altercation.
“This is what happened,” he said during a live stream. “He went to a pro wrestling event with his coach.
Those pro wrestlers, they be just as crazy as MMA guys, right? The pro wrestling guy didn’t know my son and he hit him over the head with like a can or beer can or a bottle or something. My son didn’t know it was coming.
They didn’t tell my son. And he hit my son over the head.”
Jackson added that his son had been instructed not to react, explaining, “I guess he thought my son was a pro wrestler or something. And Raja didn’t react.
He didn’t do anything because I told him not to get punched. But still, the guy hit my son and then asked, ‘You ain’t going to sell it?’ When you’re in pro wrestling, selling is fake.
So this guy is stupid. And to keep myself out of jail, I had to talk to his coach.”
Wrestler Hospitalized After Incident
Following the altercation, Stuart Smith was hospitalized.
His brother, Andrew Smith, shared on social media that Stuart is “stable but in critical care,” and thanked fans for their support.
He also clarified that no official GoFundMe had been set up.
LAPD Investigating the Incident
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed they were called to the wrestling event on Saturday, and the incident remains under investigation.
The dramatic clash has sparked widespread discussion online about the blurred lines between professional wrestling theatrics and real-life altercations.
