Outside Source
During a Knokx Pro Wrestling event on Saturday night, Jackson — the son of former UFC star Quinton “Rampage” Jackson — entered the ring for what was supposed to be a choreographed spot with Smith, whose in-ring character is known as “Syko Stu.” However, after Jackson slammed Smith to the canvas, he begins to land what appeared to be “real” punches on the defenseless wrestler.
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Eventually Jackson is separated from Smith by a group of wrestlers in the ring, which included Douglas Malo.
“I think he would have killed him,” Malo said on the Scaling Up Podcast. “I promise you he would’ve killed him.”
The incident reportedly escalated following a confrontation backstage in which Smith appeared to “smash” a beer can on the side of Jackson’s head. While that moment may have been manufactured, Jackson didn’t react well. However, Smith apologized to Jackson, setting the stage for his involvement in the match.
Malo shared his account of events as he became aware of what was happening in the ring.
“I just got done with my match. I was blown up, took the heat, did the s—t,” Malo said (transcription via Yahoo Sports). “Then I get a whisper by somebody, ‘Hey, something is not right. I might need you to go out there and check a scenario. This guy’s going to do a spot.’ When does the spot happen? ‘We’ll let you know.’ You want to let me know, but you’re not telling me when the cue is, when the spot’s supposed to happen? You’re just going to let me know just in case?
“So I’m stuck waiting for this cue. I walk up to somebody with the radio. ‘Hey, talk to the back, when do you guys want me to go? What’s happening?’ I was informed about the beer can incident shortly before that, they told me they made up and shook hands, hugged it out multiple times, so it was going to be fine. Just wanted to make sure.
“I see the slam. I see the first punch, second punch — and by then, I’ve got people in front of me, and I just start moving. I kind of wish I would have sprung on the slam. … I just went in there to stop it at first because I was in shock. I saw Stu, I saw the punches, it felt like slow motion.”
Jackson’s Assault Might Have Been Encouraged
Jackson was reportedly urged by wrestler Andre Joel Hudson to “give him his receipt” during his walk from backstage to the arena.
“Let me put it this way: I don’t like Raja. I think Raja’s a s—t person for what he did., but I think A.J.’s a bigger s—t person for gassing him up to be in that f—ing ring, to leading him to ruin his own f—ing life, to hurt somebody that A.J. also has a f—ing problem with,” Malo said. “I don’t believe in coincidence. … [Hudson] ruined two people’s lives.”
The Los Angeles Police Department is currently investigating the incident. Knokx Pro Wrestling Academy also released a statement on the alleged assault.
“First and foremost our thoughts and prayers are with our brother Mr. Stuart Smith (Syko Stu) as he remains a priority and we are monitoring his well being,” the statement read. “What was supposed to be a planned and agreed upon wrestling spot, turned into a selfish, irresponsible act of violence against Mr. Smith. This egregious act is reprehensible and never should have occurred. In the 17 years of operation of KnokX Pro Wrestling Academy, there has never been anything as heinous take place such as this and we apologize to our patrons and fans.”
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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