Raja Jackson, 25, the son of former UFC champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom on Thursday, where he pleaded not guilty to one felony count of battery with bodily injury and one misdemeanor count of battery, according to charging documents obtained by USA Today.
The charges stem from a livestreamed attack on independent wrestler Stuart “Syko” Smith during a KnokX Pro Wrestling event in California on August 23. Prosecutors allege Jackson’s conduct during the incident went far beyond the boundaries of a planned wrestling sequence, resulting in serious injuries.
The attack, captured on Jackson’s own livestream on the Kick website, unfolded during what was meant to be a prearranged wrestling “spot,” a choreographed move between performers. Jackson, an aspiring MMA fighter himself, charged into the ring, blindsided Smith with a slam to the mat, knocking him unconscious before unleashing over a dozen punches to the wrestler’s face and head.
The violent assault, which required several other wrestlers to finally pull Jackson off Smith, left Smith with severe injuries, including a fractured jaw, lacerated lip, and loss of several teeth. Smith, an Army veteran who says he uses wrestling as therapy for PTSD, spent nearly a week in intensive care and continues a lengthy recovery at home.
According to the charging documents, the misdemeanor battery charge stems from a separate altercation with wrestler Douglas Malo, who intervened to stop the attack. Malo later told USA Today that Smith “lost a lot of teeth” and described the incident as a chaotic scene.
Jackson faces up to four years in prison on the felony count, though prosecutors are pursuing a sentencing enhancement for great bodily injury that could raise the maximum to seven years. His misdemeanor charge alone carries a potential six-month jail term.
Dressed in a black suit, Jackson remained silent outside the California courthouse, avoiding questions from reporters about his plea. His next court appearance is set for November 24 at the San Fernando Courthouse, where a preliminary hearing will determine whether the case proceeds to trial.
The assault has sparked outrage in the wrestling community, with KnokX Pro Wrestling publicly criticizing Jackson’s actions as a “selfish, irresponsible act of violence” that has left a negative cloud over the company’s history. The promotion’s associated training school has lost its WWE “credit” and several students and performers.
His father, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, whose own career faced scrutiny after a 2008 felony hit-and-run arrest, issued a public apology on X, while claiming a backstage “misunderstanding” in which Smith struck Raja with a beer can before the attack. He added that his son had recently suffered a concussion during MMA sparring, which may have impaired his judgment.
Raja Jackson has been banned from the Kick platform, though his father continues streaming there.
A GoFundMe for Smith’s recovery has reached over $220,000 as of press time.