The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has officially charged Raja Jackson, son of MMA legend Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, after what was supposed to be a staged wrestling moment spiraled into real violence.
According to The Los Angeles Times, the 25-year-old is facing one felony count of battery causing serious injury, plus a misdemeanor battery charge, tied to an August 23 event at KnokX Pro Wrestling Academy in Sun Valley.
Prosecutors also added a sentencing enhancement, alleging Raja caused “great bodily injury” to wrestler Stuart Smith—better known as Syco Stu.
According to officials and video from the event, things escalated quickly. Smith smashed a beer can over Raja’s head backstage while Raja was livestreaming on Kick.
In wrestling, that type of stunt falls under kayfabe—the industry’s practice of keeping the theatrics alive at all times. Smith reportedly thought Raja was a “worker” slated to be part of the show. He even apologized once he realized the mistake.
But Raja wasn’t letting it slide. On his livestream, he told viewers: “You just can’t hit a can on my face. This s*** isn’t going to be scripted.”
Later that night, Raja stormed into the ring during Smith’s match. Instead of playing out the storyline, he scooped Smith onto his shoulders, slammed him to the mat, and delivered more than 20 punches to the head and face.
Witnesses say Smith appeared to be knocked out almost instantly, yet Raja kept swinging until four wrestlers managed to drag him off.
The aftermath was serious. Smith lost several teeth, needed stitches for a busted lip, and spent a week in the hospital with jaw trauma.
Raja was arrested in September on suspicion of felony assault but released on $50,000 bail. Prosecutors only moved forward with charges after reviewing the case late last week. His arraignment is expected in the coming days.
Neither Raja nor his camp has commented on the case, and it’s unclear if he has retained legal representation.