Raja Jackson, the son of former UFC star Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, has been jailed for an assault that escalated from a scripted professional wrestling event to a real-life violent encounter.
Jackson agreed to a no-contest plea for battery in May concerning the beating of professional wrestler Stuart Smith at a KnokX Pro Wrestling Academy event in August 2025. Smith, who performed as “Syko Stu,” reported sustaining a severe head injury and facial fracture after Jackson allegedly slammed him to the ground and delivered approximately 20 punches. Under the terms of the agreement, Jackson is sentenced to 90 days in jail, two years of formal probation, and ordered to pay $81,000 in restitution to Smith. He was taken into custody on Thursday and is expected to be released in late September following a court hearing.
The incident occurred when Jackson, a trained martial artist, was attending the event and live-streaming his visit. Smith, reportedly acting in character, allegedly slammed a beer can over Jackson’s head backstage, believing Jackson to be a participant in the show. Video evidence shows Smith apologizing shortly after, explaining his actions were part of the performance and that he mistook Jackson for a "worker," a term used for those involved in wrestling shows.
Later in the event, Jackson entered the ring during Smith’s match. While dramatic interference is common in staged wrestling, Smith appeared to lose consciousness after Jackson executed a body slam and did not appear to defend himself during subsequent blows. Smith testified in court about the profound impact of the injuries, including a lengthy recovery from a severe traumatic brain injury, a shattered maxilla requiring bone graft surgery, and ongoing cognitive deficits.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office acknowledged that while the distinction between scripted violence and reality was considered, it did not diminish the severity of the harm caused or Jackson's personal accountability. Despite the significant injuries and financial impact, Smith expressed forgiveness towards Jackson in court, stating, “I do not stand here with hatred for a desire for revenge. I hold no grudges against Mr. Jackson. People can make terrible decisions in difficult moments.”
