RIP

Legendary fitness icon Joe Weider -- who mentored Arnold Schwarzenegger during his body building days and built a vast fitness empire -- died of heart failure today at age 93.

After his passing, Arnold released a statement, saying, "Joe didn’t just inspire my earliest dreams; he made them come true the day he invited me to move to America to pursue my bodybuilding career. I will never forget his generosity."

Weider was a god in the fitness world -- not only was he the catalyst for Arnold's impressive career, he also created a publishing empire which included "Muscle & Fitness", "Flex", "Shape" and "Men's Fitness" magazines.

WWE legend Paul Bearer died from a heart attack ... Paul's son tells TMZ ... and the sad part, it could easily have been prevented.

Michael Moody tells us, Paul's death certificate lists the cause of the heart attack as supraventricular tachycardia or SVT -- a dangerously high heart rate.

But here's the thing ... we spoke to a cardiologist who tells us, SVT is quite common and if treated, usually isn't deadly. SVT's symptoms are similar to anxiety and heartburn ... so people tend to ignore it, which is what likely happened to Paul.

Michael says doctors believe his dad -- real name Bill Moody -- had been struggling with SVT in the last few weeks of his life.

We now know what caused the fire at Ashley Greene's condo that killed her beloved dog -- an unattended candle ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... they have already done a preliminary investigation and determined the candle lit the living room couch on fire -- a fire which spread throughout the unit.

As we previously reported, Greene, her boyfriend and brother were all sleeping in the condo when the blaze erupted.

Cradling her dog's dead body, "Twilight" star Ashley Greene was utterly heartbroken at her West Hollywood condo this afternoon ... after the whole place went up in flames.

TMZ broke the story ... the fire pretty much destroyed the condo and one of the actress' two dogs perished in the blaze. Ashley can be seen holding the dog's body in the video, wrapped in a sheet.

As we reported, Ashley was home at the time with her boyfriend and brother when the fire broke out on the living room sofa. They were sleeping at the time, and quickly evacuated before anyone was hurt.

Once they realized Ashley's dogs were still inside, the two boys rushed back to save them ... but couldn't. One dog died, the other is expected to be taken to Animal Control to be checked out.

CM Punk's seemingly cold-hearted tirade last week during the WWE tribute to Paul Bearer wasn't at all what it seemed ... because we've learned Paul's family gave its stamp of approval before the shenanigans.

In case you missed last week's RAW, the WWE aired an emotional tribute to the late Paul Bearer ... and smack in the middle, CM Punk attacked another wrestler (Kane) with Paul's urn.

Paul's son Michael Moody tells TMZ, the act of desecration was pre-planned ... WWE's creative team approached Paul's family for permission before the stunt unfolded on live TV.

The team wanted to use the diss to promote next month's Wrestlemania battle between Punk and Undertaker ... and Paul's family was down with it.

Aaliyah's been dead nearly 12 years ... but a music publisher is still fighting over the rights to her songs, suing a record company for allegedly hawking bootleg Aaliyah jams on the Internet.

Reservoir Media Management filed the lawsuit against a company called Craze Productions, claiming Craze has been illegally selling songs from Aaliyah's double-platinum albums "Aaliyah" and "One in a Million" on iTunes.

Reservoir claims it's the sole owner of the songs in question ... acquiring the music rights in 2012 ... and it never gave Craze permission to sell the music.

The family of TapouT co-founder Charles "Mask" Lewis -- who was killed by a drunk driver back in 2009 -- gathered at the crash site this week to mourn the 4-year anniversary of Mask's death.

Lewis' sister Carla and Ms. TapouT Jennifer Swift held a candlelight vigil at the wreckage site for close friends and family on March 11 (the day of Mask's death)... where mourners left posters, flowers, candles and signs that read "Don't drink and drive."

We're told Carla has come to the site every year -- staying from morning until night -- not only to honor her brother ... but to warn others about the dangers of drunk driving.

As TMZ previously reported ... Lewis was killed on March 11, 2009 after a drunk driver slammed into his Ferrari at breakneck speeds ... and sent the $300k car careening off an Orange County road, straight into a light pole. The other driver was later convicted of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.

Honoring Macho Man Randy Savage's death with a national holiday is NOT a ludicrous idea -- just ask his brother -- who tells TMZ he is 100% on board with a new White House petition trying to make that happen.

If you didn't know, the folks over at Mandatory.com petitioned the government (thanks to their handy online forum) to make May 20 -- the day Macho died in 2011 -- an official "Day of Remembrance."

The petition reads, "Macho Man Randy Savage was a national treasure loved by everyone ... no matter if you knew him from Slim Jim commercials or his wrestling career, you felt a deep connection with Savage ... keep his legacy alive for future generations to appreciate and enjoy."

Macho's brother, Lanny Poffo, tells TMZ that he couldn't be happier the fans want to honor his bro that way AND he's all for it, adding, "The fans will never let Randy Die. He made it cool to love wrestling."

FYI: The group needs 100,000 by April 4 in order to get Obama & Co. to review it -- so far it's only got 2,425 and one really supportive brother.

Wrestling legend Paul Bearer will be laid to rest tomorrow following his funeral in his home state of Alabama.

The funeral services will be taking place at St. Vincent Catholic Church in Mobile, AL at 10AM. Paul -- real name Bill Moody -- will be buried after in neighboring Serenity Memorial Gardens.

As we reported, Paul passed away Tuesday evening after suffering a blood clot. He was 58.

Paul is survived by his parents, children, and grandchildren.

Ultra-conservative freedom-loving Republican rock star Ted Nugent has three words for the dead former President of Venezuela Hugo Chavez -- "ADIOS MO FO."

Nugent -- a staunch anti-Communist -- tells TMZ, "All dictators, tyrants, slave-drivers and despots should die ASAP. Let freedom ring."

Chavez died yesterday following a battle with cancer.

It makes total sense Nugent would hate the guy -- Chavez was an outspoken anti-American who has long criticized America's foreign policy. During his political career, Chavez also allied with the Communist government of Cuba and the Socialist governments of other Latin American countries.

In sum, Chavez pretty much embodied everything Nugent hates about extremist left-wing politics.

'MURICA.

Paul Bearer -- the spooky WWE manager who helped introduce The Undertaker -- died Tuesday evening at the age of 58 ... this according to the WWE.

Bearer -- real name "Bill" Moody -- joined the WWE in 1990 ... playing the role of a creepy funeral director who managed various wrestling stars ... including Undertaker, Kane, Rick Rude, Vader and Mankind.

The details surrounding Bearer's death are unclear -- but he reportedly suffered from serious health problems over the past decade ... including morbid obesity and gallbladder issues.

R.I.P.

The WWE released a statement saying ... "WWE is saddened to learn of the passing of William Moody, aka Paul Bearer."

"Moody made his WWE debut in 1991 as the manager of The Undertaker and went on to become a memorable part of WWE over the course of the next 20 years. Our deepest condolences go out to Moody’s family, friends and fans."

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez has died ... this according to Venezuelan Vice President Nicolas Maduro.

Maduro -- who was fighting back tears during the announcement -- said Chavez died today at 4:25 PM.

Chavez had been in Cuba for months, where he was receiving treatment for a mystery illness that turned out to be cancer.

Chavez hated America ... and blamed all of the world's problems on the United States.

To paraphrase Ben Affleck ... Hugo f**k yourself.

He was 58.

Shell casings lined the street in front of French Montana's tour bus early this morning -- and new photos of the crime scene obtained by TMZ show just how close the shootings took place to the rap star.

As TMZ previously reported, Montana's bus had pulled up outside a Holiday Inn Express in Philadelphia last night when shots were fired from a moving car at the crowd of fans that had gathered. One man was killed and another was hospitalized after being shot in the shoulder.

Philly cops said they recovered seven shell casings ... which are clearly marked by police in the photos.

Bonnie Franklin -- who starred as Ann Romano on the classic TV show "One Day at a Time" -- died today due to complications from pancreatic cancer. She was 69.

Franklin had announced she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in September 2012.

Franklin had a long career, but was best known for playing the mother to Valerie Bertinelli and Mackenzie Phillips on "One Day at a Time" from 1975-1984.

She was married to playwright Ronald Sossi from 1967 to 1970 and to film producer Marvin Minoff from 1980 until his death in November 2009. She had no children.

The jet ski operator who allegedly ran over Usher's stepson in a Georgia lake last summer -- killing the 11-year-old boy -- was arrested this morning ... TMZ has learned.

Jeffrey Simon Hubbard was indicted on Thursday by a Grand Jury in Hall County, Georgia.

The District Attorney tells TMZ Hubbard was indicted for Homicide by Vessel, Serious Injury by Vessel, as well as Reckless Operation of a Vessel.

TMZ broke the story ... Tameka Raymond's son, Kile Glover, suffered severe brain injuries on July 6th when police believe Hubbard's jet ski collided with him. Kile was on an inflatable raft at the time of the accident. Kile was vacationing with his father, Ryan Glover, at the time of the incident.

Kile was hospitalized, and never regained consciousness. He died on July 21.

Hubbard is currently being held without bail.

A man was gunned down in Philadelphia Thursday night ... right next to the tour bus of rapper French Montana.

Montana -- who's done songs with Drake, Lil Wayne and Rick Ross -- was in his tour bus after the performance ... when it pulled up to a Holiday Inn Express with a bunch of fans following closely behind. Cops say that's when a car drove by and opened fire on the crowd.

Two men were hit, including a 27-year-old who was pronounced dead a short time later. A 29-year-old was shot in the shoulder, but he should be okay.

Police say it doesn’t look like Montana or any of his people were the targets ... it seems to have been a beef between two groups of warring fans.