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What was essentially a pre-determined contest at an indie wrestling show turned out to be a vicious, jaw-dropping incident that saw one individual end up at the hospital and that shook the whole business to its core. Raja Jackson, UFC legend Quinton “Rampage” Jackson’s son, ran into one of the wrestling rings during a live broadcast by way of Kick and was slinging real, unprotected punches at the head of unconscious wrestler Stewart Smith, more commonly known by his ring name Syko Stu, lying on the mat.

The now-widely seen viral video on social media within hours captures Raja brushing aside apologies by bystanders and police officers to cease attacking, becoming increasingly angry while confronted by a stunned crowd.

“I don’t play that shit… I’m tired of everybody playing with me,”
Raja ranted as he attacked, his words burning into the memory of all viewers forever who saw the moment live on television.

Rampage’s Public Response

Rampage Jackson himself was reportedly viewing another livestream with YouTuber Sneako at the time the violent video was streamed. He was reportedly stunned, taking up social media shortly after to discuss the matter.

“I want to clear up the misinformation about my son Raja. The wrestler (Stewart Smith) is awake and stable. Raja was told he could get his ‘payback’ in the ring as a part of the show. It was bad judgment, and a work that went wrong,” wrote Rampage.

The UFC great admitted that his son was neither professionally trained to wrestle nor just suffered through a concussion from sparring in MMA, so entering the contest was irresponsible at best.

“As a father, I’m deeply concerned with his health AND the well-being of Mr. Smith. That being said, I’m very upset this happened, but my main concern now is that Mr. Smith will make a speedy recovery. I apologize on his behalf and to Kick for the situation.”

The Shocker Twist: Revenge, Not a SCRIPT

Film excerpts of some older Raja interviews and others paint a grimmer image. Raja is said to have remarked:

“They told me I could hit him for real. I’ll tell you guys this, I’m going to hit him as many times as I can. Watch.”

Perhaps it was no coincidence or error but instead acts of vengeance beforehand for a lone battle reportedly started earlier today, when Smith allegedly hit Raja on the forehead backstage.

The outcome: a “staged” wrestling stunt turned into a genuine attack with individuals, including paying spectators, in attendance.

The Victim: A Veteran Who Uses Wrestling as Therapy

What’s so tragic is that Raja attacked. Stewart Smith, also known as Syko Stu, is not some free agent wrestler. The guy’s a U.S. Army veteran and has talked about how pro wrestling was one of his lifelines during the time he was suffering from PTSD.

“I joined Knox Pro because I needed something to focus on. A lot of veterans, it’s hard for them to readjust to civilian life. Wrestling gave me something to hold onto. Being in front of a crowd doesn’t give me as much anxiety and aggression as I thought it would,” revealed Smith in one of his earlier interviews.

For a man already fighting intangibles, to be duly knocked out cold in the middle of what was supposed to have been a staged show is pure tragedy.

Kick Bans Raja Jackson After Wrestler Flattens

Throughout the following hours, matters only grew darker. The news near the scuffle confirmed that Stewart “Syko Stu” Smith briefly flatlined following the beating before he was revived by paramedics at the scene. The jaw-dropping news was sufficient to prompt streaming service Kick to immediately suspend Raja Jackson’s account from the service, claiming “violent and disturbing behavior while live streaming.”

Graphic video that has been shared online appears to show Raja moving across the parking lot at night following the confrontation, screaming into his phone with what appears to be blood on his clothes.

Although we do not know the context of the clip, that of the son of Rampage Jackson storming off the scene with bloodstains has only fueled the controversy. What was a gimmick of a wrestling stunt once has escalated into a real-life controversy of assault, hospitalization, and life suspension from one of the fastest-growing livestreaming sites of the web.

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Looks like Apollonia is gearing up to fight for the right to continue using her iconic stage name. 

According to a lawsuit filed on Tuesday, August 19 in Los Angeles, Patricia “Apollonia” Kotero claims Prince’s estate is trying to seize control of “Apollonia,” the stage name Prince himself once anointed her with, and that she’s performed under for more than four decades, Entertainment Weekly, Rolling Stone, and People magazine reported. 

In her complaint, the 66-year-old actress and singer argues Prince not only encouraged her to embrace the name during their whirlwind in the 1980s, but that no one in his orbit ever challenged her right to it while he was alive. The lawsuit insists the estate’s recent bid to trademark “Apollonia” for clothing and entertainment, while also moving to cancel her own registrations, is an attempt to rewrite history.

“There is only one Apollonia,” she declared in the complaint, per the outlets. “And Apollonia is the source of the goods and services provided under this name. Therefore, to protect her brand, Ms. Kotero owns several ‘Apollonia’ trademark applications and registrations.”

Apollonia has long been tied to Prince’s mythology. She was his leading lady in the famous film “Purple Rain,” plucked seemingly from nowhere and thrust into the Minneapolis sound and the spotlight. She went on to front the girls group Apollonia 6 in the 1980s and has carried that name into acting, music, and business. 

Earlier this summer, however, according to her suit, the estate quietly filed to register the “Apollonia” trademark and undo hers, sparking a fight that could leave her unable to use the very name the world knows her by. 

Prince’s estate has fired back via a statement since the suit was filed, dismissing it as “frivolous” and unwarranted.”

“We never instructed her to cease using her adopted professional name, nor did we object to her business activities,” the estate said, per People, adding that it has “repeatedly offered her opportunities to perform at Paisley Park using this professional name.” 

Kotero’s suit also claims that the issue between her and Prince’s estate is a “real, immediate, and justiciable controversy.” 

As the one who physically embodied the character and has kept her alive through the years, she is seeking “a judicial declaration” or decision in her favor of ownership over the trademark. 

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Rolling onto the “Funky Friday” podcast on August 23rd by Cam Newton, sports journalist Joy Taylor made what would have otherwise been a friendly disagreement between co-workers a public knock-down, drag-out destruction derby of insults, and Jason Whitlock was the wreckage.

The Roast Heard ‘Round Sports Media

Taylor wasn’t here merely to listen to Whitlock’s opinions. Taylor was here for his soul, his shopping, and most of all, his cholesterol. “Whenever somebody says Jason Whitlock, man, I don’t even think he’s alive anymore,” she joked, straight-faced but venomous. “I’m not sure that anything works harder than his cholesterol if he’s being honest.”

That was enough to wrap up the bit, but Taylor came at him with Roast Battle tactics. She waved off his earlier snipes at her body, coming at him with a smorgasbord of fat jokes: “He said something about peanut butter, yeah? What a witty one. Food.”

So she turned to religion. “No, we don’t. Who loves Jason? Does God love Jason? I do not. I do not love Jason.”

Social media was already buzzing by then, half of them exclaiming “Queen!” and the other half exclaiming “Hypocrisy!”

Hiding out in the Shadows

Taylor swung out, describing Whitlock as some kind of hermit who does not walk out the door during the day. “Where are they gonna see him, a hole? He is not going out. Where is he gonna go? You are never gonna see him. He’s hiding, which is where he should stay.”

Not satisfied, she hammered the point home: “I don’t even think he goes grocery shopping. You’re not even going to see him. You’re gonna wait all week, all day, you’re not even going to see him.”

Basically, Joy Taylor declared Whitlock to be extinct in the wild.

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If you’ve been scrolling endlessly through your streaming apps wondering what to watch, TheGrio’s got you covered. This week’s picks are stacked with new and fresh releases that mix drama, history, and hard truths. From Netflix’s highly anticipated Jussie Smollett documentary to Sterling K. Brown bringing heart and Black brilliance to Washington Black, there’s something here that will keep you seated on the couch, tuned in.

The Truth About Jussie Smollett? – Netflix

What it is: A hard-hitting documentary (TV-MA, ~1h 26m) revisiting the controversial 2019 case, featuring never-before-seen footage and interviews with Smollett, investigators, legal experts, and the Osundairo brothers Netflix+1. Directed by Gagan Rehill and produced by the creators behind The Tinder Swindler and Don’t F**k With Cats. The film doesn’t tell you what to think but it gives you facts and perspectives to work with and asks, “Who do you think is telling the truth?” Some people finished the doc saying Jussie is owed an apology, while others say he got what he deserved.

Where & when to watch: Available to stream on Netflix starting August 22, 2025

Washington Black – Hulu (and internationally via Disney+)

What it is: Adapted from Esi Edugyan’s acclaimed novel, this eight-episode period drama follows George Washington “Wash” Black, a young enslaved boy on a Barbados plantation whose extraordinary intellect sparks a transatlantic journey toward freedom, guided by Sterling K. Brown’s character, Medwin Harris WikipediaHulu PressWhat to Watch.

It’s historical fiction with a twist, infused with emotional depth. Critics praise its rich visuals, heart, and bold genre blend and Brown’s performance gives us a stirring story that underscores Black resilience and aspiration. 

Where & when to watch: All eight episodes dropped July 23, 2025, and are now streaming on Hulu (US) and Disney+ internationally 

Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time – Hulu / National Geographic

What it is: A gripping five-part docuseries that tracks the days before, during, and after Hurricane Katrina’s landfall. Built from raw archival footage and firsthand accounts, it pulls viewers into the heart of the catastrophe and exposes the systemic failures that left thousands vulnerable. Directed by Traci A. Curry and executive produced by Ryan Coogler’s Proximity Media, the series brings urgency and humanity to one of the most consequential disasters in modern history.

This isn’t just a retelling of a storm but rather a story about survival, injustice, and resilience. The docuseries centers the voices of those too often sidelined, offering emotional truths and hard critiques of how government and society responded when Black lives were on the line.

Where & when to watch: Released July 27 on National Geographic, with full availability on Hulu and Disney+ starting July 28.

Whether you’re in the mood for an intense docuseries, a juicy drama, or an epic reimagining of Black resilience, these series and documentaries are worth your time. So grab the remote, queue them up, and let us know in the comments which one you’re watching first.

It’s no secret that Black people are not monolithic. We come in all shapes, shades, sizes, and accents. However, recently, a corner of the internet’s minds were blown when Torgi Squire (@Starboysobersfitness) came across their TikTok feeds complaining about the weather. Squire, a Black man with locs and a thick Scottish accent, had many Black American TikTok users doing a double-take and forcing them to rethink their perception of the world and the people with it.    

This surprise sparked a viral moment for Squire with over 4 million views and unlocked a new trend on the social media app, “#blackscottishtiktok,” which is now filled with thousands of posts showcasing the Black communities in Scotland and the international fascination. 

@starboysobersfitness Yes, this accent comes in melanin too, welcome to black Scottish Tik Tok. @ABI💫 @Court @BashTheEntertainer #scottishtiktok #blackscottishtiktok #relatable #wecomeinmelanintoo #US ♬ original sound – Starboy|Fitness

“It’s been a whirlwind,” Squire told The Guardian. “Americans are kept in a bit of an echo chamber by their media, and their only point of reference for Scotland is either Braveheart, [Disney’s] Brave, or Shrek. They don’t seem to have much awareness of the diaspora, particularly when it comes to the UK, which is maybe why they’ve reacted with so much curiosity. But it’s not just Americans. I’ve had comments from people in England too, so there’s still surprise at a [B]lack person with a Scottish accent on both sides of the Atlantic.”

As more Black Scottish content creators gained international views and followers, Roy Wood Jr., comedian and host of CNN’s “Have I Got News For You,” sat down with Squire and some of the Black content creators in Scotland. While the trend has sparked discourse about how limited some Americans’ knowledge of the world is, Woods Jr. highlighted that the shock is a result of the lack of education. 

“[American schools] barely teach them [Americans] about [B]lack people in America”, he said. “People can laugh about dumb Americans not knowing there are [B]lack people in Scotland, but this tells us a lot about the differences between education systems and what governments define as history.”

He noted it also reveals “how much entertainment influences people’s stereotypical beliefs”. “Because if you told to [picture] a Scottish person, I would never [think of a Black person], but if you said a Black Brit. That’s not a surprise. We’ve seen enough of them,” Woods Jr. continued. “And then, if you said Scottish, I’m sorry that’s white. So I think that this whole, Black Scottish TikTok [trend] is just indicative of just the culture.” 

Just Woods Jr. says this is “an opportunity for black people across the whole diaspora to converse with one another,” Squire hopes that this trend ignites a sense of community amongst the 0.7% of Black people in Scotland’s population. 

“It’s quite isolated. I know a lot of other [B]lack content creators, some Scottish, some not, but it’s not like we all gather together. There’s no sense of community right now…not yet, but there will be,” Squire shared. 

Ultimately, it’s been an enriching experience across the world for both Americans and Black Scottish people. 

“The conversations I’ve had in the past week have really enriched my life,” Squire expressed. “It makes me happy that people are coming together.”

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Twitch streamer Cinna took the filter away from one of her streams the other day and gave the world a glimpse at precisely how she truly feels. No brand-safe words, no awkward backtracking, pure chest:

“Stay on that side, because for me it’s Free Palestine. That’s how I feel. It is what it is. I don’t force my beliefs on nobody, but Imma tell you what I believe. Free Palestine all day. To some people I’m a bad person.”

Not exactly the kind of statement you would want to give if you want your sponsors to be happy. But it was raw and honest and impossible to dismiss.

The Internet Reacts: Applause, Eye Rolls, and Capslock Outrages

Of course, Twitter and TikTok commentariat lost their minds. The other half foamed at the mouth. One of the critics mocked the timing: “Saying Free Palestine now is easy. Where were y’all a year ago?” And another subjected some subtle shading: “You only say it ‘cause it’s popular now.”

There were others who were prepared to coronate her: “Wow my opinion of her really went up,” someone wrote. Another practically knighted her by noting, “Massive respect to Cinna. Better late than never. Palestine must be free.”

And, naturally, the trolls were there on cue: “Streamers are using Free Palestine for clout points,” one indignant hater griped. Another became resentful with, “Enjoy watching people who don’t know the first thing about the Middle East saying it for internet brownie points.”

And lastly, the ultimate mic drop by one of the fans: “When you make your own money you can say it with your chest, take notes ya pssies.”

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