The wrestling community is reeling after a horrifying incident at a KnokX Pro event in Sun Valley, California, on August 23, 2025, left independent wrestler Stuart “Syko Stu” Smith severely injured. The attack, carried out by Raja Jackson, son of former UFC champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, was captured on video and live-streamed, sparking widespread outrage and an ongoing police investigation. Here’s everything we know about Syko Stu’s current condition, his medical status at the hospital, the events that led to the assault, and the fallout that continues to unfold.
Syko Stu is not dead; he’s very much alive as of the most recent update, but sustained devastating injuries during the attack. According to fellow wrestler Douglas Malo, who was present at the event and helped intervene, Smith suffered “broken bones in his face and lost a lot of teeth.” Malo described the scene as chaotic and traumatic, noting that Stu was “choking on his own blood and teeth” while lying unconscious in the ring.
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Despite the severity of his injuries, Smith was reported to be awake, stable, and talking as of August 24. There were indications he might be released from the hospital soon, though the long-term impact of his injuries remains unclear. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is investigating the incident, though no arrests have been made yet.
The Assault on Syko Stu and Its Violent Aftermath
The incident began backstage before the show, where Syko Stu, in character, struck Raja Jackson with a beer can. Jackson, who is not a professional wrestler but an MMA fighter, was initially angered but later agreed to participate in a scripted “spot” during Stu’s match as a form of payback. However, what was supposed to be a controlled performance quickly turned into a real-life brutal assault.
Video footage shows Jackson entering the ring, slamming Stu to the mat, and mounting him while throwing more than 20 punches to his head and face, even after Stu appeared to be unconscious. The attack was so vicious that other wrestlers had to physically pull Jackson away, and the event descended into chaos as fans, including children, watched in horror.
Police are out looking for Raja Jackson aka Rampage Jackson son after an incident took place on stream earlier today. pic.twitter.com/VvXgDVfbxm
— KDENkickclips (@BeatsMarcy) August 24, 2025
The aftermath has been marked by condemnation and accountability debates. KnokX Pro Wrestling, the promotion behind the event, issued a statement calling the incident a “selfish, irresponsible act of violence” and apologizing to fans. Raja Jackson’s father, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, also apologized on social media, emphasizing that his son had no business being involved in a pro wrestling event and condemning his actions.
However, questions remain about the promotion’s responsibility, as backstage footage suggests that another wrestler, AJ Mana, encouraged Jackson to give Stu a “receipt”—a wrestling term for a legitimate retaliatory strike. This has led to calls for broader accountability, including potential legal consequences for Jackson and others involved.
The wrestler that Raja Jackson attacked was a former Army veteran, who suffered from PTSD and used Pro Wrestling as an outlet to get away from his personal issues.
Prayers, Syko Stu. 🙏
— FADE (@FadeAwayMedia) August 24, 2025
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on Syko Stu’s recovery and the broader implications for safety in professional wrestling. While Stu is thankfully alive and stable, the physical and emotional scars from this incident will likely linger long after his release from the hospital. The wrestling world is now left to grapple with how a scripted performance could devolve into such a vicious real-life attack, and how to prevent anything like it from ever happening again.
