Gerrard Kaonga
Raja Jackson has caused mass concern after appearing to violently assault a wrestler during a livestream.
Jackson, the son of former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson, has caused a stir after attacking a wrestler at the Knokx Pro Wrestling event in Los Angeles, California.
While most expect some level of pageantry and acting when it comes to wrestling, it appears that this wasn’t the case in this particular moment.
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Footage of the apparent assault has started to pop up around social media and many fans are questioning what will happen next.
Fightful reporter Sean Ross Sapp offered up some insight as he wrote on Twitter: “Based on what I've heard, the spot with Raja Jackson at Knokx Pro Wrestling was planned.
“However, Raja Jackson knocked the person out -- ring name Syko Stu-- and followed up with a lot of heavy punches to Syko Stu [real name Stuart Smith], which were not planned to do that kind of damage."
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The punches appeared to be real, and the whole incident was captured on the streaming platform Kick, as the MMA fighter was on livestream.
It showed Jackson slamming the wrester to the ground before striking him repeatedly in the face before other wrestlers pull him off.
After this occurred, the Kick stream following Raja caught a phone call he was having.
The person on the end of the phone (later referred to as 'Andre') says they just saw the video, and asks Jackson to explain.
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Andre says that people at the scene can’t wake the wrestler up after the alleged attack, while condemning Raja saying he didn’t need to go so far.
Jackson simply replies ‘my bad’ while breathing heavily and pacing around what looks like a car park.
The whole incident appears to stem from a pre-event exchange between Jackson and Smith. A clip shows Jackson get visibly annoyed and approaching to fight after Smith striked Jackson in the head before the pair had to be separated.
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Jackson’s father, Quinton took to social media to give an update following the incident. He reaffirmed Sapp’s comments and said the attack was ‘a work that went wrong’ and added that Smith is now ‘awake and stable’ after going to the hospital.
Issuing a full statement, Quinton said: “I want to clear up the misinformation about my son Raja. I’ve been confirmed that the wrestler (Stewart Smith aka Syko Stu) is awake and stable.
"Raja was unexpectedly hit in the side of the head by him moments before Smith’s match, Raja was told that he could get his “payback” in the ring, I thought it was apart of the show.
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"It was bad judgement, and a work that went wrong. Raja is a MMA fighter not a pro wrestler and had no business involved in an event like this.
"I don’t condone my son’s actions AT ALL! He suffered a concussion from sparring only days ago and had no business doing anything remotely close to physical contact. As a father, im deeply concerned with his health AND the well being of Mr. Smith."
LADbible Group has contacted Raja Jackson, Knokx Pro Wrestling and Kick for a comment.