A wrestling show in Los Angeles turned into a real-life emergency when a surprise ring run-in by MMA fighter Raja Jackson ended with a pro wrestler knocked out cold on a livestream. His father, former UFC champion Rampage Jackson, issued a public apology, called the attack “bad judgment,” and said what began as a planned bit in the show spiraled far beyond anything that was agreed.
The incident unfolded Saturday night at the KnokX Pro Wrestling Academy in the San Fernando Valley. Video from the event shows Jackson, 25, sliding into the ring and lifting wrestler Stuart “Syko Stu” Smith before driving him down in an Alabama Slam—an impact move that whips a person’s head and upper back onto the mat. Smith’s body went limp. Jackson then punched him several times while he lay motionless, until other wrestlers and crew swarmed the ring and dragged Jackson away. Smith was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries. He is awake and stable, according to Rampage, but remains under care.
Los Angeles police say they are investigating. The livestream clip spread rapidly on social media, and the Kick platform banned Raja Jackson’s account. KnokX Pro personnel and wrestling insiders described the attack as a “selfish, irresponsible act of violence,” saying a routine interruption spot turned into something that was never scripted.
What happened in the ring—and why it escalated
Rampage said he initially believed the confrontation was part of the show. In a post on X, he wrote that his son had been “unexpectedly hit in the side of the head” by Smith before the match and was told he could get “payback” later in the ring—wrestling shorthand for a controlled, planned moment. But once Jackson entered the ring, the intensity and force looked nothing like typical pro wrestling choreography. “I don’t condone my son’s actions AT ALL,” Rampage wrote. “It was bad judgment, and a work that went wrong.”
Rampage also revealed that his son suffered a concussion during sparring days before the event and “had no business doing anything remotely close to physical contact.” That detail has raised immediate questions about why Jackson participated in any ring spot, even a brief one, and whether event staff were aware of his recent head injury.
For fans unfamiliar with the lingo: in pro wrestling, a “work” is the scripted show. A “shoot” is something real. Many independent promotions mix reality with fiction to create drama, including surprise run-ins. Those segments only stay safe when everyone involved understands the plan, the timing, and the limits. Here, that shared understanding appears to have broken down.
Witness accounts and the video suggest a rapid sequence:
- Pre-match, Smith and Jackson had a brief, staged interaction.
- Jackson was told he could “get his payback” during the show, according to Rampage.
- Jackson entered the ring mid-show and lifted Smith for an Alabama Slam, a high-risk move that can spike the head and neck if not protected.
- Smith lost consciousness on impact.
- Jackson punched Smith while he was down, prompting wrestlers and staff to intervene and restrain him.
- Paramedics transported Smith to the hospital; he remains admitted as he recovers.
In pro wrestling, most impacts are managed through training, communication, and ring positioning. Moves like the Alabama Slam demand precise coordination. An opponent who is not braced—or who is already stunned—can’t protect themselves. That is why crossovers between combat sports and pro wrestling usually come with coaching, rehearsals, and a clear chain of command. Organizers say none of that prevented Saturday’s incident.
It’s also important to separate MMA from pro wrestling. MMA is a sanctioned fight with rules and referees trained to stop a bout when a fighter is hurt. Pro wrestling is a performance where safety relies on cooperation. Jackson, an MMA fighter, is not a trained pro wrestler, and that mismatch became obvious the moment force replaced choreography.
The fallout: an investigation, a ban, and hard questions about safety
The LAPD confirmed an active investigation. As of now, no charges have been announced. Whether this remains a backstage dispute that went too far or becomes a criminal case will depend on statements, medical findings, and what investigators conclude from the footage and witnesses.
Kick, the livestreaming platform that carried the event, banned Raja Jackson’s account after the clip spread online. The move reflects a growing trend: platforms are acting faster after violent content appears live. It also raises fresh questions for event promoters about broadcast delays, moderation, and whether live shows should run with a buffer to catch dangerous moments before they hit public feeds.
KnokX Pro has not publicly detailed the exact plan for the segment, who cleared it, or what instructions were given. Industry sources described the initial “spot” as a routine interruption, not a full-contact sequence involving a knockout-level slam and follow-up punches. Without a shared script, even seasoned pros can misread intent in the ring. Add in a recent concussion, and the risk multiplies.
Concussions complicate everything. Standard return-to-play guidelines in combat sports and contact sports typically call for a graded return to activity only after symptoms have resolved, and always with medical oversight. Wrestlers and fighters know that lightheadedness, slowed reaction time, and poor judgment can linger. Rampage’s admission that his son had a recent concussion will loom over both the police investigation and any internal review by promoters about why a run-in was greenlit at all.
Rampage, who won the UFC light heavyweight title in 2007 and fought at the top of the sport for years, stressed two points: he doesn’t excuse what his son did, and he’s worried about everyone’s health. “Raja is an MMA fighter, not a pro wrestler and had no business being involved in an event like this,” he wrote, while adding that Smith is awake and stable. The 47-year-old wrestler remains hospitalized as doctors monitor his recovery.
Independent wrestling shows often operate on tight budgets with minimal medical staffing compared to major promotions. That reality can leave gaps in protocols for surprise segments, outside participants, and post-injury assessments. Saturday’s incident will likely intensify calls for clearer backstage rules: who can enter the ring, who signs off on stunts, and what medical checks are required—especially if someone reports a recent head injury.
There are also reputational stakes. For Raja Jackson, a ban from Kick and a police probe could stall any plans he had to build an online audience or cross over into entertainment. For KnokX Pro, trust with performers and fans hinges on transparent safety practices. For the wrestling community, the video is a reminder that the line between performance and real violence can vanish in a second if one person stops treating the ring like a cooperative space.
What we still don’t know:
- Whether Raja Jackson will face criminal charges.
- How long Stuart Smith will remain hospitalized and what his long-term prognosis is.
- What specific instructions, if any, were given to Jackson before the segment.
- Whether promoters will revise safety protocols for guest appearances or run-ins.
- If any athletic or training bodies will step in with guidance after the incident.
For now, the facts are stark. A planned moment became a real fight. A wrestler was knocked out and hospitalized. A fighter’s account was banned. Police are asking questions. And a former UFC champion is apologizing in public, saying what most viewers thought as they watched the clip: this should never have happened.
