WWE Diva/Shoplifter Emma Rehired 2 HOURS After Getting Fired!!!

Maybe the WWE realized ... if stealing a $21.14 iPad case is a fireable offense ... there wouldn't be enough wrestlers left for a tag team match -- so they REHIRED Diva Emma 2 hours after canning her.

The wrestling org gave Emma the boot 2 days after she copped a plea to stealing the iPad case from a Connecticut Walmart.

The WWE just said, "Upon further evaluation, WWE has reinstated [Diva Emma] but will take appropriate punitive action for her violation of the law."

Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... WWE officials quickly realized they overreacted, because their action would open the floodgates to fire a gaggle of wrestlers for fighting outside the ring, DUI and all sorts of other misdeeds.

It's unclear how Emma will be punished.

iPad case closed.