CALIFORNIA \u2013 Raja Jackson, the son of Quinton (Rampage) Jackson, a former UFC light heavyweight champion, assaulted a professional wrestler during an independent event on Aug 23 in Los Angeles, according to a recording of the match. <\/p>\n
In footage streamed live and later posted to YouTube, Raja Jackson, 25, can be seen jumping into the ring at the KnokX Pro Entertainment & Academy event and lifting wrestler Stuart Smith, known as Syko Stu, above his head, slamming him onto the mat and punching him at least 20 times.<\/p>\n
Several people then pulled Jackson off Smith, who is 44. After a struggle in a ring corner, the livestream camera showed Jackson being escorted out of the building by at least four people.<\/p>\n
On Aug 24, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department said that it was investigating but would not comment further.<\/p>\n
Jackson, a mixed martial arts fighter, could not be immediately reached for comment.<\/p>\n
On social media, Jackson\u2019s father said that Smith was \u201cawake and stable\u201d.<\/p>\n
He said that before the show, Smith hit his son on the head and that his son was told he could get his \u201cpayback\u201d in the ring.<\/p>\n
Quinton Jackson said he thought the attack was part of the show in which his son would be allowed to run in and interfere with the match as a way of resolving the earlier confrontation.<\/p>\n
Quinton Jackson called the attack in the ring bad judgment \u201cand a work (a planned routine) that went wrong\u201d.<\/p>\n
He said that as a mixed martial arts fighter, and not a professional wrestler, his son should not have been involved in the event on Aug 23.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t condone my son\u2019s actions at all!\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Jackson apologised on behalf of his son, who he said had suffered a concussion just days earlier, and said that he hoped Smith recovered quickly.<\/p>\n
KnokX Pro Entertainment & Academy, the organiser of the event in Sun Valley, about 26km north-west of downtown Los Angeles, said in a statement on Aug 24 that it was monitoring the health of Smith but did not offer any further details about his condition.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat was supposed to be a planned and agreed-upon wrestling spot turned into a selfish, irresponsible act of violence against Smith,\u201d it said. \u201cThis egregious act is reprehensible and never should have occurred.\u201d<\/p>\n
The storylines and outcomes are predetermined in pro wrestling matches, which are heavily scripted and orchestrated, but not in mixed martial arts.<\/p>\n
Smith, an army veteran who joined KnokX in 2009, has said wrestling has helped him manage his post-traumatic stress disorder. A representative for Smith could not be immediately reached.<\/p>\n
The assault appears to have stemmed from an altercation between Raja Jackson and Smith, who, before the match on Aug 23, smashed a beer can on Jackson\u2019s head, according to a livestream.<\/p>\n
Another wrestler then appeared to tell Jackson that he should pay Smith back with a \u201creceipt\u201d at the end of the match.<\/p>\n
Smith apologised to Jackson several times.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t know,\u201d Smith said, gesturing to the livestream\u2019s camera. \u201cI thought you were a worker.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jackson accepted the apology and said that he understood.<\/p>\n
Later, before entering the ring, Jackson can be heard warning on the livestream that his performance would not be scripted.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey told me to hit him, and just leave,\u201d Jackson said. But, he added, \u201cI\u2019m telling you, I\u2019m going to hit him as many times as I can \u2013 watch.\u201d NYTIMES<\/p>\n
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