Raja Jackson — the son of mixed martial arts legend Quinton “Rampage” Jackson — pleaded no contest Wednesday to his role in beating a professional wrestler last year in an incident that blurred the lines between real and scripted combat.
Jackson, 25, is expected to serve 90 days in jail on a disorderly conduct charge after knocking Stuart Smith to the ground and punching him about 20 times, according to a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office. The professional musician, who performs under the name “Syko Stu,” suffered cuts, trauma to the jaw and the loss of several teeth.
Jackson will also serve two years in prison and must pay approximately $81,000 in restitution to the victim, according to a spokeswoman. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for late June at the San Fernando Court.
Jackson’s attorney declined to comment. Smith did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
A spokeswoman for the district attorney’s office did not immediately respond to a question about whether confusion over Jackson’s understanding of the scripted nature of the event played a role in the plea deal. Jackson was originally charged with a felony and multiple sentences that could have landed him in state prison.
This incident happened on Aug. 23, 2025 at the KnokX Pro Wrestling Academy event in Sun Valley. Jackson was a guest at the event and live-streamed his “Kick” tour when he was approached by Smith backstage.
Smith slammed a beer can over Jackson’s head. Video of the incident shows the two men standing face-to-face, but Smith then apologizes to Jackson, pointing to a live camera and explaining that he thought Jackson was an “employee,” or someone involved in stage plays.
Professional wrestling violence is often scripted, meaning both sides agree to punch, kick, throw and sometimes throw weapons to tell a violent story in the ring. Wrestlers must stay in shape in front of fans and on camera, a concept known as “kayfabe.”
Other athletes who witnessed the incident last year told The Times they believed Smith was human. It wasn’t clear whether Jackson understood that.
Later in the show, when Smith was in the ring working on his planned match, Jackson ran to the back. Part of Jackson’s broadcast captured another wrestler, Andre Joel Hudson, telling Jackson what to do when he faced Smith.
“When you run out of money—, you—you give him his receipts,” Hudson, who invited Jackson on the show, said in the video. “Do you remember what the receipt is?”
In wrestling parlance, “receipt” means retaliating with the apparent use of little or no force during a match. But Jackson said in his live broadcast that he wasn’t following any set schedule.
“This—it’s not going to be written down,” he said, before hitting the ring, lifting Smith by the shoulder and slamming him to the mat.
Smith appeared to pass out almost immediately. Jackson then got on top of the wriggling wrestler and punched him in the head and face more than 20 times, according to the video.
Times Staff Writer Sal Hernandez contributed to this report.
