Rampage Jackson Speaks—And Steps In It: Jackson Blames “Misinformation,” Floats Police Probe of Victim in Syko Stu Assault
Quinton “Rampage” Jackson broke his silence on The Ariel Helwani Show, and the former UFC champion didn’t exactly steady the ship. In a sprawling interview about the Aug. 23 attack on independent wrestler Syko Stu (Stewart Smith) that led to widespread outrage and an ongoing investigation into Jackson’s son Raja, Rampage spent as much time decrying “misinformation” as he did admitting his son “took it too far.” Then he swerved into something far worse: suggesting the police should investigate the victim.
We’ve covered this story from the jump at Wrestling.news—from the ringside chaos to the fallout in the SoCal and wrestling industry scene—and Rampage’s latest remarks demand a blunt response.
What Rampage Said—And Why It Matters
Across the interview, Jackson offered a handful of key claims and contradictions:
- “Everybody was wrong…but Roger was the most wrong.” Rampage stresses his son went too far—specifically continuing to strike a knocked-out opponent after a slam—while also insisting the situation began as a “planned” spot.
- It was “written in” vs. “he had no business in that ring.” Jackson says promoters “wrote” Raja into the show for a “receipt,” yet also says his son isn’t a pro wrestler and shouldn’t have been in the ring at all. Both may be true—negligent planning can coexist with criminal conduct—but they sharply undercut each other as a defense.
- The victim should speak—and be investigated. Rampage faulted Syko Stu for not quickly posting a clarification (while Stu was hospitalized/recovering), then went further, urging police to scrutinize Stu over alleged prior drunken behavior—a jaw-dropping pivot that shifts blame onto the injured party.
- “Jail, not prison.” Jackson says he’ll support “a little time” for Raja and therapy/anger management, then decries public calls for stiffer charges.
- Streaming didn’t make him do it. While conceding chat toxicity, Rampage ultimately says the decision was Raja’s, not Kick’s or the audience’s.
- He’s “cut off” for now—except legally. Rampage says he’s not speaking to his son, but is paying for counsel and would “turn him in” if a warrant is issued.
The Problems With Rampage’s Spin
Let’s be clear: whether a promoter foolishly green-lit a “receipt,” what happened in the ring is on the person throwing the blows. Saying “everyone was wrong” doesn’t erase agency. Continuing to strike a clearly compromised opponent is not “misinformation,” it’s the core issue—and that’s what’s under investigation.
Worse is the call to probe the victim. Suggesting police investigate a hospitalized wrestler because of rumored past behavior is a spectacular own goal—ethically, optically, and legally. If your son “took it too far,” the last thing you should do is publicly muddy the water around the injured party while the case is live. It reads less like clarity and more like damage control by deflection.
Finally, the contradictions—“scripted” but “shouldn’t have been there,” “receipt” but “took it too far,” “stay quiet” per lawyers but go longform on a podcast—only heighten scrutiny. If you’re asking the public to withhold judgment, stop feeding the fire.
Where Things Stand
- Investigation: As of his interview, Rampage says they’re “waiting for an arrest warrant.”
- Promotion response: Knox Pro called the attack a “selfish, irresponsible act of violence” and apologized to fans.
- Community impact: The incident, live-streamed and then virally clipped, has escalated safety and liability concerns across smaller shows that blend fan access, content creation, and in-ring segments.
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
We’ll say the quiet part out loud: this is not the moment to audition defenses on podcasts. If your camp believes context matters, let that case be made to investigators, not via shifting narratives and shots at the victim. Independent wrestling runs on trust—between workers, promoters, and fans. A “receipt” is not a license to assault, and no amount of “it was a spot” changes what everyone can see on video: the strikes went on after the slam, and that’s the line that matters.
We’re stunned Rampage chose to imply Syko Stu should be investigated while acknowledging his son crossed the line. If the priority is accountability and healing, start there—and stop throwing gasoline on an open case.
Reprints and excerpts are welcome with attribution to The Ariel Helwani Show, Randy Marston, Wrestling.news and a link back to this original article.
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