WWE

Wrestling superfan Wale is back in the fold with the WWE after almost 2 years of feeling "blackballed" ... and celebrated backstage at "Monday Night Raw."

The rapper got to hang out and take pics with Triple H, The Rock and even Vince McMahon during the Miami event this week -- a huge shift in his relationship with the WWE.

Wale used to attend pro wrestling events all the time, but in the past he's told TMZ Sports he's felt frozen out since he fought with a heckling WWE fan. He says the cold war started to end when he recently got chummy with some WWE higher-ups.

Fast forward to Monday when Wale finally scored backstage access, and now he's aiming even higher -- "I actually want to work there and I don't know if [Vince and Triple H] heard about good Wale or bad Wale. Or if they even know what a Wale is."

For the record, a WWE rep says there was never any official ban ... but clearly things have changed a lot since 2014.

Hulk Hogan is back and in black -- this time as a spokesperson for 800-Loan-Mart commercials.

The Hulkster caught some heat last year regarding certain racist remarks that were made public after several years ... but he's moved past that and is now set to star in a big TV commercial for the title loan company.

Hulk's been their spokesperson for years, but the company is now ready to air new spots with him.

Visiting The Hulkster -- Dennis Rodman, who was one of the first celebs to defend Hogan, saying they've been pals for 25 years and Hogan doesn't have a racist bone in his 6'7" 300 pound body. The two former tag team partners are both repped by celebrity sports agent Darren Prince.

This is a very cool video ...

Billy Corgan says the days of misogyny in pro wrestling should be OVER -- because women are badass and smart and awesome ... and it's time for them to be portrayed that way in the sport he loves.

The Smashing Pumpkins frontman is now an executive at TNA pro wrestling -- and in this great clip we shot at LAX, he not only explains how he got into the business, but how he wants to make serious changes.

One of Corgan's main points is the rise of Ronda Rousey in UFC -- because Corgan says it shows wrestling is behind the curve when it comes to marketing women.

"I think there's a whole host of ways to portray women in wrestling in the future that sort of gets away from the typical misogynist stuff."

"I think [Ronda] embodies everything that's about smart sexy and tough, I think that's shown to be a huge marketable asset."

WWE fans rejoice -- Tammy Sytch has stripped down to have sex on camera -- she signed her deal with Vivid Entertainment.

Sytch -- aka ex-diva Sunny -- tells TMZ she and Vivid honcho Steve Hirsch recently came to an agreement. Vivid's already running a teaser clip, but we're told she'll be shooting new footage for the final release, which has a very Farrah Abraham-ish title -- "Sunny Side Up: In Through the Backdoor."

WWE Hall of Famer Tammy Sytch -- aka Sunny -- says she wants to rip a page from the Kim K playbook and star in a sex tape to help her career ... as long as the money's right.

They're the WWE's hottest real life super couple -- Brie Bella and Daniel Bryan -- so, the question we had to ask ... do you guys ever wrestle naked?

Yeah, blame our photog Charlie for that one ... but the video is pretty adorable.

The most interesting part ... seems Brie hates her signature finishing move (The Bella Buster) -- though Bryan raves about it!

But back to the naked question ... do they? Watch the clip.

Tammy Sytch is giving fans a chance to get a piece of her WWE Diva alter ego, Sunny, by hawking a totally unique piece of memorabilia ... her Hall of Fame ring!

Sunny got the ring in 2011 when she was inducted, but says she's ready to turn the page on her pro wrestling days. She's unloading the ring on eBay with an opening bid of $3,000.

Sytch says the sale has nothing to do with her legal troubles last year, she's just wiping the slate clean. She told us, "It's time to let go of the past and selling my ring is the right way to get back on track!"

Vince McMahon triggered a bunch of calls to the NYPD after he appeared to get arrested Monday night on "Monday Night Raw."

Cops began fielding calls after some really bad acting, where Vince stepped in to protect his daughter from some rent-a-cops. Things got heated at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Vince got aggressive and the cops hooked him up and read him his Miranda rights.

It seemed real enough for viewers to call police ... presumably to either express their displeasure or lobby to have the book thrown at him.

The Miz just spilled the beans ... revealing which WWE Superstar can unload like none other when you're talking passin' gas.

Miz appears on this week's episode of Matt Weiss and Theo Von's "Allegedly" podcast and is asked if a wrestler's ever had an "accident" in the ring. The question unleashes a pretty interesting convo ... and it's no surprise Miz says The Big Show, who weighs in at 500 lbs and stands almost 7 feet tall breaks the worst wind.

Miz also dishes on some of the biggest WWE fans in Hollywood ... the answer may surprise you.

You can download the full episode here on December 29.

Nick Bockwinkel -- WWE Hall of Famer -- and pioneer of the sports-entertainment culture has died ... TMZ has learned.

WWE released a statement confirming the death of the 4-time AWA Heavyweight Champ ... but a cause of death is yet to be revealed.

Bockwinkel began his career in the 1950s ... paving the way for pro-wrestlers today with his excellent grappling skills, and charismatic ring interviews.

He was also managed by legendary WWE star Bobby "The Brain" Heenan.

Bockwinkel was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007.

R.I.P.

BOMBSHELL REVELATION TIME ...

Pro wrestling legend Bill Goldberg is lifting the shroud off one of the WWE's most famous gimmicks ... saying "Stone Cold" Steve Austin was more spit then swallow when it came to beers in the ring.

We got Goldberg out in L.A. -- promoting his new movie "Check Point" -- when we talked to him about rumors of a comeback match between him and Austin. So, we had to ask about Steve's infamous beer bash celebrations and if the dude really pounded brews.

That's when Goldberg broke the bad news and the UNFORGIVABLE news ... saying that not only is no match between him and the rattlesnake imminent ... but that Austin NEVER REALLY DRANK THE BEERS.

Watch and see for yourself ... R.I.P. to your childhood.

To the victors, GO THE BELT!!!!

The Royals should probably clear some extra space in the trophy case, 'cause Vince McMahon is sending some hardware to K.C.

Vince's right-hand man, Triple H, tweeted out ... "Congrats to the 2015 @MLB World Series Champions the Kansas City @Royals! #HeadedYourWay #DontGetChampagneOnTheTitle."

WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka has pled NOT GUILTY to murdering his girlfriend back in 1983 ... but says his mental health is so bad nowadays, he doesn't know what day it is.

72-year-old Snuka appeared in court in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania -- where he is accused of killing then-girlfriend Nancy Argentino during an altercation in her hotel room before a wrestling match.

Snuka pled not guilty to 3rd degree murder and involuntary manslaughter.

During the hearing, Snuka made some shocking claims -- including saying he never went to school and can't read or write English.

He also told the judge he suffers from early onset dementia and didn't know where he was today or what day it is.

They're both scary Irish guys ... but WWE superstar Sheamus says there's no question he'd dominate Connor McGregor in a real fight because, "I can kick anybody's ass."

Sheamus would definitely have the size advantage -- he's 6'4" and 267 lbs ... while Conor's 5'9" and 145 lbs.

Still, Conor is Conor ... violent.

There's more ... since Sheamus is especially proud of his drinking ability, we asked how many Guinnesses he could take down in one sitting.

"I lose count after about 15."

DRINKING FUN FACT -- Andre the Giant once claimed he put down 117 beers in 1 night (kids, don't try this at home).

If Ronda Rousey ever wants to go full-time in the WWE, she's already got support from one of the biggest stars in the sport -- Kane.

Couple of things about this clip ... first off, real-life Kane's a super nice guy who talked college football with our guy (he's a big University of Tennessee fan who still hates Lane Kiffin).

Then we brought up Ronda -- who's flirted with the idea of doing the wrestling thing -- and that's when she got huge props from the lord of the choke slam.

As for Rousey, she appeared at "WrestleMania 31" earlier this year -- and this week she was asked about doing more with the WWE in the future.

"After getting a taste of it I'm definitely going to find a way to get back in there," Rousey said.

"I don't know how or when but I don't think any true wrestling fans would want to know anyway. They'd want to be surprised. I've got to get back in there somehow."

WWE legend Booker T isn't dropping elbows anymore ... but he's got a brand new challenge ... creating the next pro wrestling superstar out of one of Tom Brady's ex-teammates.

TMZ Sports spoke with Brennan Williams ... who's decided to call it quits on a 3 year NFL career as a lineman for the Texans, Jaguars, and Patriots so he can take a shot at pro wrestling.

Brennan tells us that he won't be stepping into the ring blind 'cause he's gonna have Booker T -- a WWE hall of famer -- showing him the ropes (and turnbuckles) of the grappling game.

"He’s got a school in Houston called WXF that I’m joining (along with) his promo company."

Williams says he and Booker T have a vision ... one that involves him locking arms with the big boys very soon.

"I’m looking to get my feet wet while training with Booker and shooting for a contract with the WWE in January. That’s my plan."

We also spoke with Booker T himself who says Williams has all the tools to do what The Rock, Goldberg and Ahmed Johnson did ... that is go from big time football to the WWE.

"Brennan definitely fits the profile and athletic protocol of a WWE Wrestler. He fits the build perfectly."

He goes on to say Brennan might have an advantage over those guys ... cause he actually has a deep love and understanding of the sport.

"Most of the time with NFL players, wrestling is a sort of last resort but Brennan was actually a fan before anything. I’m more than glad to help him out."