WWE is reportedly eyeing a Rikishi return after KnokX Pro court case ends

The Big Picture

WWE is preparing to bring WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi back into its developmental fold. Sources indicate that discussions have intensified following the resolution of the legal battle surrounding his former training facility, KnokX Pro Academy. Rikishi stepped away from the Southern California school in May 2026 after a controversial assault in the ring derailed the academy's partnership with the WWE Independent Development program.

Yesterday, July 2, 2026, the legal chapter closed. Raja Jackson, the son of MMA fighter Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, turned himself in to Los Angeles County jail to begin a 90-day jail sentence. As PWInsider reported, Jackson pleaded no contest to felony battery causing serious bodily injury, receiving two years of probation and a $81,703.38 restitution bill.

With the legal process completed, WWE is reportedly looking to bring Rikishi to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando. Rumours suggest an official developmental contract is being prepared for a late 2026 start. This move aligns with WWE's ongoing expansion of its WWE ID recruiting network.

The KnokX Pro Scandal and Fallout

The situation began on August 23, 2025. During a KnokX Pro live event in Sun Valley, California, a backstage dispute over a worked segment involving a beer can escalated into an unscripted assault. Raja Jackson, who had no professional training, entered the ring and launched a legitimate attack on Stuart Smith.

The assault was brutal. Jackson body-slammed the veteran and delivered over twenty blows to his head while he lay defenseless on the canvas. The footage circulated on social media, drawing immediate condemnation from fans and industry figures alike.

The health consequences for Smith have been severe. In court yesterday, Smith detailed how the assault caused a severe traumatic brain injury, a shattered maxilla, facial fractures, and teeth loss. He required bone graft surgery and suffers from memory loss, keeping him out of work for a full year.

Despite the damage, Smith delivered a statement of forgiveness to the court. As documented in the court proceedings reported by PWInsider, his message was simple.

"I hold no grudges against Mr. Jackson."

His grace stands in stark contrast to the violence that halted his career. The veteran is choosing reconciliation over bitterness as he continues his recovery.

WWE ID Severance

The corporate reaction from Stamford was swift. Within days of the assault, WWE quietly stripped all KnokX Pro branding from its talent recruitment website and severed the partnership. Management made it clear that they would not tolerate untrained individuals participating in non-scripted attacks at affiliated schools.

The WWE ID program, launched in late 2024, was designed to provide a direct pathway for independent wrestlers to reach the main roster. By partnering with established academies like Seth Rollins' Black and Brave or Cody Rhodes' Nightmare Factory, WWE sought to secure developmental talent early. KnokX Pro was initially positioned to be the premier West Coast hub for this initiative before the scandal forced a permanent change in plans.

The fallout devastated KnokX Pro, which lost students and suffered massive reputational damage. In May 2026, Rikishi announced he was taking a leave of absence from the academy he co-founded. Observers saw this as the final blow to the school's mainstream credibility.

By distancing himself, Rikishi cleared the path for a return to WWE. The Hall of Famer has always urged his students to choose WWE over AEW, praising their training facilities. Now, WWE appears ready to welcome him back to the training ring.

The Performance Center Rumours

Speculation has run wild about what role Rikishi would occupy in Orlando. The Performance Center boasts a deep roster of trainers, but Rikishi's training pedigree is hard to match. Bringing him in as a coach would immediately bolster WWE's ability to polish raw athletes.

Rikishi’s own journey in the wrestling business is grounded in the legendary Anoa'i family tradition. Trained by his uncles Afa and Sika, he rose to prominence as part of the Headshrinkers before achieving superstar status during the Attitude Era with the Too Cool faction. This deep understanding of both traditional rules and character development makes his perspective unique in modern developmental training.

There is also the inevitable talk of an on-screen return. Rikishi's sons—Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, and Solo Sikoa—remain key players in the dominant Bloodline saga. While adding Rikishi would add family drama to television, sources indicate that WWE's primary interest is in his coaching ability.

AEW has also been mentioned as a potential landing spot for the veteran. However, Rikishi's loyalty to the WWE system and his family's dominant positions within the company make a move to AEW highly unlikely. He has spent years guiding his students toward Stamford, and pivoting now makes little sense.

Probability and Expected Impact

Probability Assessment

We rate the probability of Rikishi signing a new WWE developmental deal as high. The resolution of the court case removes the primary public relations obstacle for WWE. Now that Jackson is serving his jail sentence and restitution has been set, the story has reached its legal conclusion.

Wrestling fans should expect a timeline for a debut or signing announcement around October 2026. This would allow several months to pass after Jackson's jail term ends, giving the public memory of the incident time to cool. WWE's corporate structure is highly sensitive to negative publicity, and they will want a clean break from the KnokX Pro brand before announcing any formal agreement.

The credibility of these reports is solid. Several independent journalists have noted that WWE officials have kept channels open with Rikishi since his departure from the school. The main hurdle remains the negative association with the assault, which WWE will seek to minimize by focusing entirely on his coaching history and legendary status.

Expected Impact

If the deal goes through, it will have a significant impact on WWE's developmental program. Rikishi brings an old-school sensibility combined with a modern understanding of character work. Recruits at the Performance Center would benefit greatly from his guidance.

However, the signing is not without its critics. The academy failed to provide a safe working environment for Stuart Smith, and allowing an untrained attacker into the ring was a massive organizational failure. WWE must address these safety concerns, likely by ensuring Rikishi has no operational control over outside schools.

Ultimately, WWE is a business that values family legacy and proven training talent. While the shadow of the KnokX Pro incident will linger, his return to the WWE system feels highly likely. The Hall of Famer belongs in a training ring, and Orlando is the logical destination.