The man who stopped the pummelling of a professional wrestler at an event last week has revealed what he saw of the gruesome incident up close, saying it felt 'like slow motion' as he rushed to save him.
In case you missed it, Raja Jackson, the son of former MMA fighter Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson, jumped into the ring and started punching a wrestler known as Stuart 'Syko Stu' Smith repeatedly.
The 25-year-old got into the ring, dropping the wrestler to the ground before punching him in the head while he laid on the ground.
It took place at a KnokX Pro Wrestling event in California on Saturday (23 August), as Smith laid on the canvas, helpless.
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Jackson's dad said that while the altercation was 'planned', his son went on to deliver a number of heavy punches, which was not meant to do the damage that it did.
"Stu was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries. We are working to find out more and have Stu in our thoughts," Rampage Jackson added at the time.
A live stream of the event showed other wrestlers making their way into the ring to restrain Jackson from doing more damage.
One of those wrestlers was The Epic - real name Douglas Malo - who explained on an episode of the Scaling Up podcast that Stu was 'pretty f***ed up'.
"He choked on his own blood. Teeth and blood," he revealed.
When asked if he lost 'all of his teeth', he answered: "A lot of them. Yeah. Broken facial bones. He was out on the slam and then the guy [Raja Jackson] had made contact multiple times.
"I remember seeing that kind of being in shock and then I just went outside of that running in."
'It felt like slow motion'
The Epic added before the incident after someone flagged to him: "Hey, something's not right, I might need you to go out there and check a scenario. This guy's going to do a spot."
He said he initially wasn't told any of the details about what was about to happen, and was eventually filled in that Smith had hit Jackson with a beer can - with the aim of setting up a wrestling storyline - but that the pair seemed to have made up.
The Epic said: "I see the slam. I see the first punch, second punch."
He said it 'felt like slow motion' and people were in front of him blocking his way, adding: "I kind of wish I would have just sprung on the slam."
He did eventually get into the ring, saying: "I'm in there. I'm battling. I'm trying to work this out and telling the guy to calm down and now he's trying to fight me."
In the aftermath, he said Smith was given CPR while 'choking on his own blood'. He was eventually stretchered out, with The Epic adding: "There was kids crying. There was women and children upset."
Going on to give an update on Smith's condition, he said: "He's having a hard time. He has no recollection of what happened."
'Irresponsible act of violence'
Police have stated that they would investigate the incident, as Smith's brother thanked fans for their support in the situation.
He stated: "He’s currently stable but in critical care. At this time, we’re focused on his recovery and appreciate all the support."
Representatives over at KnokX Pro Wrestling Academy also sent their thoughts to 'Syko Stu' and the family, in what was a brutal sight for those watching the stream.
While the Academy described the incident as a 'selfish, irresponsible act of violence against Mr Smith', they added that 'there has never been anything as heinous take place such as this' during their 17 years in business.
Joshua Nair