The Viral Fallout: 5 Shocking Facts About AJ Mana’s Wrestling Career After The Raja Jackson Incident

The wrestling world was rocked by a viral, real-life assault that transcended the scripted drama of professional wrestling, thrusting independent wrestler AJ Mana into the center of a firestorm. This controversy, which unfolded in late 2023 and has had lasting repercussions into the present day, centered on an infamous incident at a KnokX Pro Wrestling event involving Raja Jackson and Syko Stu. The fallout was immediate and career-altering for AJ Mana, whose real name is Andre Hudson, leading to his termination from both the wrestling academy and his day job. The story of AJ Mana’s career is now inextricably linked to this single, explosive moment. As of late 2024, the former KnokX Pro talent is navigating a "deep hole" in his professional life, struggling to rebuild his reputation in the independent circuit after being accused of being an "accessory to attempted murder" by some for his role in encouraging the attack. The details surrounding the incident, his defense of being "in character," and the subsequent industry backlash paint a vivid picture of the blurred lines and high stakes in modern professional wrestling.

AJ Mana: Biography and Career Profile Before the Controversy

AJ Mana, known to his family and friends as Andre Hudson, is an American professional wrestler who primarily built his career on the vibrant, often tumultuous, independent wrestling scene in Southern California. His journey into the squared circle began relatively recently, with him entering the wrestling business around 2021. Mana’s ring presence and style quickly earned him recognition across various regional promotions, where he worked hard to establish his character and develop his craft.

A Complete Biographical Snapshot

• Ring Name: AJ Mana
• Real Name: Andre Hudson (also cited as Andre Joel Hudson)
• Year of Debut: Circa 2021
• Primary Wrestling Scene: Independent Circuit, Southern California
• Notable Promotions: KnokX Pro Wrestling, Best of the West Wrestling (BOTW), Empire Wrestling Federation (EWF), and Mayjah Vibes
• Known Nickname: "The Polynesian Warrior" (often associated with the "Mana" name)
• Known Finisher/Signature Move: The Polynesian Plunge (often associated with the "Mana" name)
• Championships: PWA World Cup (as part of a team with Vito Fratelli)
• Wrestling Academy: KnokX Pro Wrestling Academy (Prior to his firing)

Mana’s early career was characterized by the grind of an independent wrestler, traveling to various venues, competing for regional titles, and training at academies like KnokX Pro, which was co-founded by legendary WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi. This foundation was meant to be his stepping stone to bigger promotions, but it ultimately became the setting for the event that would dramatically alter his trajectory.

The Raja Jackson and Syko Stu Incident: A Career-Defining Moment

The turning point for AJ Mana came during a KnokX Pro event in late 2023, where a planned wrestling segment spiraled into a legitimate, unscripted, and violent assault that went viral across social media and major news outlets like TMZ. The incident involved Raja Jackson, the son of MMA legend Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, and independent wrestler Syko Stu (also known as Stu Smith or Doug Malo). The footage showed Raja Jackson legitimately knocking out Syko Stu, who believed the encounter was a "work" or a planned spot. The controversy surrounding AJ Mana stemmed from his role in the moments leading up to the attack.

The Accusation and Mana's Defense

The viral video footage showed AJ Mana actively encouraging Raja Jackson to "lay a beatdown" on Syko Stu, urging Jackson to get his "receipt" (revenge). This action immediately painted Mana as a key instigator in the eyes of the public and the wrestling community. * The Accusation: Mana was accused of playing a significant role in the violent in-ring fight and was even labeled an "accessory to attempted murder" by some members of the public and the wrestling community due to the severity of Stu’s injuries. * Mana's Defense: In subsequent interviews, Andre Hudson (AJ Mana) offered a controversial defense: he claimed he was strictly "in character" during his interaction with Raja Jackson. He maintained that his comments were part of his heel persona and that he did not realize the attack would be a legitimate, unscripted assault. He also noted that the supposed "spot" between Jackson and Stu was never officially set up by the promotion's co-owner, Reno. This defense ignited a massive debate about the blurred lines between character and reality in professional wrestling, with many arguing that hiding behind a "gimmick" was unacceptable given the real-life consequences of Syko Stu's injuries.

The Immediate and Long-Term Fallout for AJ Mana

The consequences of the KnokX Pro incident were swift, severe, and far-reaching, effectively derailing AJ Mana’s career and personal life. The fallout serves as a stark warning about accountability in the age of viral media.

1. Fired from KnokX Pro Wrestling

The most immediate consequence was his termination from the KnokX Pro Wrestling Academy. The promotion, run by Rikishi, quickly distanced itself from the controversy, removing Mana from the roster and the training facility. This action signaled to the rest of the industry that the promotion did not condone the actions that took place.

2. Loss of His Day Job

Perhaps the most damaging blow to Andre Hudson was the loss of his non-wrestling, day job. Following the viral spread of the footage and the ensuing media coverage, Mana was fired from his outside employment. He publicly stated that the incident had effectively "ruined" his life, illustrating the real-world financial and professional devastation caused by the controversy.

3. Career in a "Deep Hole"

Post-firing, AJ Mana's professional wrestling career was described as being in a "deep hole." The controversy made him a toxic entity in the independent scene, with many promotions hesitant to book a wrestler so closely associated with a legitimate, violent assault that brought negative attention to the business. Despite this, Mana has expressed his love for professional wrestling and his desire to continue his career, acknowledging that the path forward will be incredibly difficult.

4. Public Interviews and Self-Implication

In an attempt to share his side of the story, Mana conducted a lengthy and often profanity-laced interview, which some critics argued only served to further implicate him or, at the very least, demonstrated poor judgment. His claims that he was "in character" and that the whole thing was a misunderstanding became the central narrative of his defense, though it failed to sway public opinion or reverse the professional damage.

5. Uncertain Future in the Independent Circuit

As of late 2024, AJ Mana’s future remains highly uncertain. While he possesses the skills and experience gained from working with promotions like BOTW and EWF, the shadow of the Raja Jackson/Syko Stu incident looms large. He represents a cautionary tale in the modern era of professional wrestling—a demonstration of how quickly the lines between a wrestling character and a real person can blur, and how devastating the consequences can be when a planned storyline turns into an unscripted, real-life tragedy. The wrestling community will be watching to see if Andre Hudson, the man, can ever fully escape the controversy created by AJ Mana, the character.