AEW star and former WWE/WCW/AEW World Champion Chris Jericho has donated $2,500 to a GoFundMe campaign launched for independent wrestler Syko Stu (real name Stuart Smith). The fundraiser was created to support Stu after he was hospitalized with serious injuries following a now-infamous in-ring incident with Raja Jackson, the son of MMA legend Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.
The GoFundMe Campaign
The GoFundMe, which has raised approximately $75,000 as of this writing, was organized to help Stu with his recovery. The description of the campaign provides details on his background and the purpose of the funds. “Stuart Smith is a U.S. Army veteran who used wrestling as an outlet to deal with his PTSD,” the page reads. “This incident has not only caused major physical harm, but will also disrupt his career inside the ring and outside of it.”
The description adds that the donations will be used to cover “Uncovered medical expenses, Recovery support, [and] Loss of Income.”
The Incident
The fundraiser was created in response to an unscripted assault that took place at a Knokx Pro Wrestling event in Los Angeles on August 23. The incident began with a backstage confrontation where Stu hit Jackson with a bottle. Later in the evening, Jackson repeatedly punched Stu. The wrestler was left with serious injuries, including broken facial bones.
Statements from Involved Parties
In the days following the event, Raja’s father, Rampage Jackson, released a statement describing the situation as a “work that went wrong.” He stated that his son had suffered a concussion just days before the event and should not have been cleared for any physical contact. The promotion, Knokx Pro Wrestling, also issued a statement condemning the violence.
The funds raised will go towards helping the U.S. Army veteran recover from his injuries and manage the financial impact of his time away from the ring.
