Tag: Knox Pro

Rikishi stepping away from KnokX Pro Wrestling Academy

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Rikishi is stepping away from his wrestling academy.

The former WWE star announced on social media on Sunday that he was taking his leave from the wrestling school and promotion he started back in 2009.

“Love and respect KnokX Pro Entertainment & Academy. As I take my leave, I appreciate your understanding and respect for my decision to rest now. KnokX Pro Entertainment & Academy,” he wrote.

KnokX Pro was a source of controversy last year

KnokX Pro, which at one point was affiliated with the WWE ID program, came under fire last fall following an incident revolving around MMA fighter Raja Jackson and Syko Stu. Jackson, the son of Rampage Jackson, took Stu down during a live show and repeatedly punched him, even after he was rendered unconscious and ignored people who tried to intervene. Stu was hospitalized with serious injuries and Jackson was later arrested on multiple battery charges.

“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,” KnoxPro said in a statement.

The promotion later announced procedure changes in the wake of the incident. Stu was later released from the hospital and appeared at WrestleCon during WrestleMania weekend.

Update on wrestler attacked by Raja Jackson, LAPD investigating incident

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The LAPD is investigating an attack that took place during an independent wrestling event on Saturday that left a wrestler hospitalized.

According to TMZ, cops were called to the KnokX Pro event that took place near Los Angeles and took a police report after Raja Jackson, MMA fighter and son of Rampage Jackson, assaulted a wrestler in a planned angle that turned into a violent assault. As of now, the incident is being investigated.

During the event, which was livestreamed on Kick, Syko Stu (Stuart Smith) was taken down by Jackson. This appeared to knock out Stu cold. Despite this, Jackson continued to pummel and bloody Stu with punch after unprotected punch until others were able to pull him off.

Douglas Malo, a wrestler who attempted to intervene during the assault told USA Today that Smith was awake and talking on Sunday but had broken bones in his face and lost “a lot of teeth.”

“He was choking on his own blood and teeth,” Malo said. “Somebody reminded me there’s kids there and then I was like ‘oh my God.'”

Malo confirmed on Reddit that Stu would also be going home.

KnokX Pro released a statement following the incident saying “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.”

Rampage also released a statement on social media, writing that he doesn’t condone his son’s actions at all and apologizing on his behalf, Raja had no business being in the ring due to suffering a concussion from sparring days prior to the angle.

Rampage Jackson issues statement after son attacks wrestler at indie show

Posted on by Ian Carey

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson has released a statement regarding an incident involving his son, Raja, at a Knox Pro event in Los Angeles on Saturday.

In what is believed to have originally been a planned spot, Raja Jackson left the crowd and entered the ring during the event and attacked wrestler Syko Stu. Raja picked up Stu and slammed him to the mat, knocking him out. Stu was not moving as Raja hit him repeatedly in the face with punches until several wrestlers subdued him. Stu was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

Fightful has since reported that Raja entering the ring to attack Stu was planned, but Stu was legitimately knocked out and unable to defend himself.

“Stu was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries. We are working to find out more and have Stu in our thoughts,” wrote Sean Ross Sapp.

We’ve opted not to include a link to footage of the incident, but videos are circulating online. There is also another video circulating that shows an incident before the event involving Stu hitting Raja with a beer can. It’s not clear what led to that interaction. Stu is later seen apologizing to Raja for it, and Raja appeared to accept the apology.

Rampage Jackson released a statement regarding the incident, mentioning that he’s been told Stu is now “awake and stable.”

“I want to clear up the misinformation about my son Raja. I’ve been confirmed that the wrestler ( Stewart Smith aka Syko Stu) is awake and stable. Raja was unexpectedly hit in the side of the head by him moments before Smith’s match, Raja was told that he could get his “payback”in the ring,i thought it was apart of the show. It was bad judgement, and a work that went wrong. Raja is a MMA fighter not a pro wrestler and had no business involved in an event like this. I don’t condone my son’s actions AT ALL! He suffered a concussion from sparring only days ago and had no business doing anything remotely close to physical contact. As a father, im deeply concerned with his health AND the well being of Mr. Smith. That being said I’m very upset that any of this happened,but my main concern now is that Mr. Smith will make a speedy recovery.I apologize on his behalf and to KICK for the situation.“

The Knox Pro event was livestreamed on Kick. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

Rusev has since released a statement as well, noting that he has trained with Stu for 15 years.

“I’ve known and trained with @SykoStu for 15 years. He is a former US Army veteran and amazing guy. There are no excuses for what happened in that ring. Praying for strong Kick out.”