Major Update: Wrestler Who Saved Stuart “Syko Stu” Smith Speaks Out - Rescuer Doug Malo Details Chaos, Says He “Stopped a Killing”

The incident involving Raja Jackson—son of UFC great Quinton “Rampage” Jackson—and California independent wrestler Stuart “Syko Stu” Smith has taken an even darker turn. In a new interview on the Scaling Up podcast, wrestler Douglas Malo (who jumped in to stop the beating) gave a granular, first-person account of the timeline, the ring-side decisions, and the frantic moments he believes saved Smith’s life.

Quick note: If you can, chip into Stu Smith’s official GoFundMe—or share the link. Every bit counts. Professional Wrestling Legend Chris Jericho has already stepped up with $2,500 (current top donator). 

We reviewed the show footage and Doug’s full discussion, then mapped the events below. Where claims are contested or not independently verified, we say so.

For a breakdown of the situation in full, including videos you can visit our article reported earlier, here.

What’s new (Doug’s account + video review)

• Pre-incident altercation outside: Doug says the day’s friction started when Syko Stu smashed a beer can on Raja’s head outside the venue after mistaking him for a worker taking part in a bit. Video shows the moment and the immediate confusion.
• Apologies & “receipt” talk: Multiple apologies to Raja followed, per the interview. Doug and others say Raja was later told to “give him a receipt”—wrestling shorthand for paying back a stiff shot within a safe, planned spot.
• Separated by time: Doug says the can incident happened well before the in-ring attack. By the time Raja hit the ring during another match, the earlier apology had already happened.
• The attack: Video shows Raja entering the ring, lifting Smith and slamming him hard. Doug says Smith appeared out on impact, and Raja then threw a flurry of punches to the head/face of an unresponsive opponent. Doug estimates “20-plus” strikes before he could intervene.
• Intervention & aftermath: Doug says he rushed in, grappled with Raja and broke it up. Paramedics arrived; Smith was reportedly choking on blood/teeth.
• Injuries (per Doug and colleagues): Smith suffered broken facial bones, severe dental trauma, brain swelling, and was placed in a medically induced coma. As of the latest update in the interview: off a breathing tube, awake but disoriented, and struggling with balance/memory.
• Claims of premeditation & “chat hype”: Doug alleges Raja’s live stream chat egged him on and that Raja voiced intent to make it “real.” He also alleges a figure backstage brought a volatile guest and “gassed him up.” Those are Doug’s claims; we have not independently verified motive or backstage instruction.
• Police response: Doug says police arrived after Raja fled and took statements. He also alleges some at the school were urged not to cooperate directly with police (an allegation the school has not publicly addressed).
• Show environment: Families and kids were present. Doug describes children crying, a building full of stunned fans, and a locker room frozen as he ran in.

Important: These are on-the-record statements from Doug and witnesses speaking on the podcast plus video evidence of the slam and punches. Allegations about backstage instructions, chat influence, or non-cooperation remain claims until confirmed by law enforcement or the school.

Working timeline (condensed)

1. Outside venue: Beer can smash on Raja → apologies to Raja.
2. Backstage chatter: Talk of a “receipt” to square things within a work.
3. Later in the event: Raja enters a bout he’s not advertised in → violent slam on Smith → barrage of punches to an apparently unresponsive opponent.
4. Intervention: Doug clears bodies, ties up Raja, stops the assault.
5. Medical: Paramedics treat Smith (choking on blood/teeth) → hospital → induced coma; now awake but heavily concussed with facial/dental damage, per colleagues.
6. Police: Reports taken after Raja leaves the building; investigation ongoing (no official arrest confirmation at the time of the podcast).

Health status of “Syko Stu” (as described on the podcast)

• Facial fractures, major dental loss, brain swelling (since reduced).
• Memory gaps around the event; balance issues.
• Recently removed from a breathing tube; conditionally stable but “very out of sorts,” per colleagues.

Accountability questions raised

• Was this “a work gone wrong,” or a real assault? The video shows a knocked-out wrestler taking multiple unanswered strikes—an unambiguous medical emergency by any standard.
• Production & safety: Why was a non-advertised, trained MMA fighter allowed to enter during a match? Who had authority on headset?
• Locker room culture: Multiple witnesses say nobody else moved until Doug entered. In pro wrestling, speed to medical is a life-or-death competency.
• Law enforcement cooperation: Doug alleges some were told not to talk to police directly. If true, that’s a reputational and legal catastrophe waiting to happen.

Wrestling.news | Backstage Take

This wasn’t “heat.” It was risk management collapse. The moment a performer is unresponsive, everything stops: bell, cameras, crowd—medical first. Mixing a legitimately trained fighter into a live match without guardrails is reckless; green-lighting any “receipt” outside a tightly agented spot is worse. If even part of the non-cooperation allegation holds, this school needs outside oversight and a written emergency protocol yesterday. Pro wrestling thrives on illusion—not on unanswered head shots to a defenseless worker. Everyone—promoters, trainers, and talent—should treat this as a hard reset on show safety and duty of care.

Notes and attributions

• Details above are drawn from public video and Doug’s interview on the Scaling Up podcast.
• Injury specifics reflect what Doug and colleagues say physicians relayed to the family; we have not viewed medical records.
• We’ve requested comment from parties named in the interview. If official statements arrive, we’ll incorporate them with context.

If you have first-hand information or footage from the event, consider sharing it directly with local authorities and an attorney before posting publicly to protect the integrity of any investigation.

Reprints and excerpts are welcome with attribution to Randy Marston, Wrestling.news and a link back to this original article. 

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Full Interview Below With The Hero Doug