It doesn’t look like Syko Stu ever intends to get back in the ring following the injuries he sustained in Raja Jackson’s attack.
While speaking with TMZ, wrestler Douglas Malo said that — from what he’s heard — Stu’s career in the ring is “done.” Malo, a friend of Stu’s, was one of the wrestlers who intervened to stop Jackson’s attack when it occurred at a KnokX Pro Wrestling show on August 23.
“His close friend that I talked to that’s throwing this [benefit] event said that Stu’s done with any ring work,” Malo responded when TMZ asked if he thinks Stu would like to wrestle again to help find closure.
“And then I also know about some of the stuff that he was dealing with from when I talked to his wife last and his friends, I don’t think being in the ring would work ever again.”
Malo said he thinks it would be cool to do an angle where Stu makes a save for him — reversing the situation that played out when he helped stop Jackson’s attack. But Malo doesn’t know if even that would be a smart idea.
“That was a lot of damage he received, plus what he was already dealing with,” Malo said. “You know, he wasn’t necessarily a spring chicken before the event. So I don’t know.”
A show to help Stu is being put on by Valor Pro Wrestling on November 15. Malo is excited to see Stu there and give him a hug. To this point, Malo has tried to mostly avoid reaching out to Stu directly because he doesn’t want Stu to have to relive the trauma he experienced.
Stu (Stuart Smith) is a U.S. Army veteran who has used wrestling as a way to help deal with PTSD. A GoFundMe to support his recovery from Jackson’s attack has raised more than $220,000.
This week, Jackson — the son of UFC legend Quinton “Rampage” Jackson — appeared in a Los Angeles court and entered a not guilty plea in response to the two charges he’s facing. He could potentially serve up to seven years in jail if convicted.