Jeff Jarrett Weighs In On the Raja Jackson and Syko Stu Incident: “Leadership Failed At Every Level”
The wrestling world is still reeling from the sickening viral attack at a KnokX Pro event in Los Angeles, where Raja Jackson—son of MMA legend Quinton “Rampage” Jackson—brutally assaulted indie wrestler Syko Stu. The fallout has included a swirl of opinions from major names: Rob Van Dam and Mark Henry were widely criticized for their controversial comments, while Booker T struck a more responsible tone by emphasizing safety and accountability.
Now, WWE and TNA Hall of Famer Jeff Jarrett has added his perspective on his My World With Jeff Jarrett podcast, breaking down the disturbing events and what they mean for wrestling as a whole.
Jarrett’s Key Points: A Failure in Leadership
Jarrett made it clear that responsibility goes far beyond Raja’s actions alone.
“When something like this happens, leadership has to be held accountable. Whether it’s Tony Khan in AEW, or Ari Emanuel with WWE—the buck stops at the top. For KnokX Pro, whoever promoted that show owns the responsibility. You can’t cash the checks when things go well and then claim ignorance when tragedy strikes.”
Jarrett questioned why Raja was even allowed near the ring, given his lack of training and the fact he was reportedly concussed earlier in the week. He criticized the environment backstage, where wrestlers assumed Raja’s camera was part of an “angle” and Stu tried to improvise accordingly.
“Crime, Not Confusion”
While Jarrett entertained some of Conrad Thompson’s fiery counterpoints—where Conrad outright condemned Raja’s actions as “attempted murder”—Jarrett remained focused on the broader picture, where was the leadership?
He and Conrad Thompson pointed out the complete breakdown in communication:
- No training, no preparation: Raja had zero experience in pro wrestling.
- Streaming pressures: With hundreds of Kick viewers egging him on, he let pride and ego dictate his actions.
- Referee confusion: The ref still counted a three-count on an unconscious man, underlining how unprepared the entire production was.
Jarrett summarized:
“This wasn’t just one bad punch. It was a chain of failures—from the promoter down to the locker room. Everyone should’ve stepped in before this ever hit the ring.”
Comparing Takes: Jarrett vs. Others
- Mark Henry: Blamed Stu for “provoking” Raja—comments fans and wrestlers alike have blasted as tone-deaf.
- Rob Van Dam: Suggested people were overreacting, another take that drew heavy backlash.
- Booker T: Called the act “egregious” and stressed that safety comes first, placing blame on both Raja and those who allowed him into the ring.
- Jeff Jarrett: Agreed Raja is guilty, but insisted leadership bears ultimate responsibility for allowing the situation to unfold.
Read More Regarding This Story:
Rob Van Dam: “I’ve Got His Back” About Raja Jackson
Douglas Malo: Wrestler Who Saved Syko Stu Speaks Out
Mark Henry: "Now we know he can't fight"
D'Lo Brown's Take on the attack
Jim Cornette: "That was attempted murder"
Booker T: “Plenty of Blame to Go Around”
🎙️ Wrestling.news | Backstage Take
Jeff Jarrett’s comments highlight something that cannot be ignored, and we have said this many times while covering this story: wrestling is built on trust. When that trust is broken—by promoters chasing clout, by performers taking liberties, or by untrained outsiders being thrown into the mix—the results can be catastrophic.
While Conrad Thompson went scorched-earth with his reaction (in many ways can be very much appreciated even with some incorrect facts stated), Jarrett’s point about leadership strikes at the heart of the issue. It wasn’t just one man throwing punches. It was a system that failed to protect its performers. Raja is absolutely guilty, but others up the ladder need to be held accountable to prevent anything like this from happening again.
Safety for the performers, and the fans is non-negotiable.
Reprints and excerpts are welcome with attribution to the My World With Jeff Jarrett Podcast, Randy Marston, Wrestling.news and a link back to this original article.
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