Pro wrestler AJ Mana claims he’s been fired from KnokX Pro Wrestling for being an “accessory to attempted murder” after encouraging Raja Jackson to retaliate against Syko Stu during a violent in-ring attack.
On August 23, Raja Jackson, the son of UFC legend Quinton’Rampage’ Jackson, stormed the ring at a KnokX Pro show while streaming on Kick. The altercation began when Syko Stu, real name Stewart Smith, mistakenly thought Raja was part of the show and hit him with a drink. The two later appeared to squash the issue, with Jackson even agreeing to play into a storyline where he would get revenge on Stu.
AJ Mana, who had reportedly invited Jackson to the event to stream it on Kick, urged him to “give [Stu] his receipt.” In wrestling terms, a “receipt” means returning a stiff blow as payback for being roughed up earlier.
Prior to the incident, Raja told viewers, “it’s always been my dream to f**k up a pro wrestler” and that he was “really going to hit him.”
Instead of a single stiff shot, Jackson unloaded around 20 punches to Stu’s head before being pulled off by other performers. Stu survived and is conscious, but was left with “very serious” injuries. A GoFundMe for his hospital bills has already raised more than $100,000.
Wrestler AJ Mana fired over Raja Jackson’s attack on Syko Stu
Speaking on the F Y’all Podcast, Mana revealed how the fallout has cost him his career.
“I got a call from my f**king job [saying] ‘You’re an accessory to an attempted murder. We gotta let you go.’ I can’t wrestle anymore. How am I gonna pay my bills cause ya’ll want clickbait!”
Mana had previously insisted that he was “in character” when he told Jackson to dish out a receipt, claiming he was simply speaking in the “language of wrestling.”
Mana added that he intends to countersue and that he only told Raja to throw a single punch.
“Hey, guess what? I got all the footage, dumbasses. Y’all got the edits. Y’all got the edits. I have the originals. Oh yeah, I can’t wait for court. Trust me. Counter suing. Counter suing. By the way, damn good lawyer.”
The LAPD is still investigating the assault, though no arrests have been made so far.
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