YouTube sensation and philanthropist Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, has stepped forward to offer financial assistance to professional wrestler Stuart Smith following a disturbing incident at a Los Angeles wrestling event over the weekend.
Smith, who performs under the ring name Syko Stu, remains hospitalized after sustaining severe injuries during what was supposed to be a planned wrestling segment at the “Knox Experience” show on Saturday, August 23. The event, put on by the WWE ID affiliated KnokX Pro Wrestling Academy, was being livestreamed when Raja Jackson, son of UFC fighter Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, allegedly attacked Smith with unexpected violence.
MrBeast took to social media after learning about Smith’s condition, expressing his concern and willingness to help. “Dang man, this hurts to see. Especially because I read he was a veteran that used wrestling as an outlet to get over ptsd,” the content creator wrote. “Genuinely, if anyone connected to him knows of a way I can help please reach out. If his kid is a fan or I can help with hospital bills idk but I’ll help.”
The incident has sent shockwaves through the wrestling community, with veteran wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer calling it “may be the worst thing I’ve ever seen in a ring.” According to eyewitness accounts and the livestream footage, what began as a planned wrestling spot quickly escalated into a genuine assault.
Douglas Malo, a wrestler who intervened to stop the attack, provided updates on Smith’s condition. “He was choking on his own blood and teeth,” Malo told USA TODAY. “Somebody reminded me there’s kids there and then I was like ‘oh my God.'” Malo confirmed that Smith was awake and speaking on August 24 but had suffered broken facial bones and lost multiple teeth.
The chaos unfolded during a multi-team tag match when Jackson entered the ring after Smith performed a wrestling move called a spear. Jackson proceeded to slam Smith to the mat and deliver numerous punches while the wrestler appeared unconscious. Multiple wrestlers were required to restrain Jackson and remove him from the venue.
According to the livestream, Jackson had initially been told he was “not a worker” – wrestling terminology for someone who is not a professional wrestler – after an earlier backstage confrontation with Smith. However, the situation was supposedly resolved when it was agreed Jackson would participate in the match as part of the storyline.
KnokX Pro Wrestling issued a statement condemning the incident: “What was supposed to be a planned and agreed upon wrestling spot, turned into a selfish, irresponsible act of violence against Mr. Smith. This egregious act is reprehensible and never should have occurred.”
Andrew Smith, Stuart’s brother, posted on Facebook that the wrestler was “stable but in critical care” and noted that the family had not yet established a fundraising campaign as of late August 24.
The incident has particularly resonated given Smith’s background as a military veteran who reportedly turned to professional wrestling as a therapeutic outlet for post-traumatic stress disorder. This detail appears to have especially moved MrBeast, who has built his brand around helping others and supporting worthy causes.
Quinton “Rampage” Jackson publicly distanced himself from his son’s actions, posting on social media: “I don’t condone my son’s actions AT ALL!” The former UFC champion claimed his son had suffered a concussion from training “days ago” and called the incident “bad judgement, and a work that went wrong,” adding that “Raja is a MMA fighter not a pro wrestler and had no business involved in an event like this.”
The Los Angeles Police Department has reportedly opened an investigation into the incident, according to multiple media outlets. The presence of children at the event has added another troubling dimension to the situation, with Malo describing how a young attendee was visibly traumatized by witnessing the violence.
The YouTuber’s massive platform and resources could provide crucial help with mounting medical expenses as Smith faces what may be a lengthy recovery process.
