WWE

Rob Gronkowski already has enemies in WWE -- with one of the wrestling superstars CALLING OUT the NFL legend as a hot piece of garbage on "Monday Night Raw."

Remember, Gronk is NOT a WWE wrestler -- at least not yet -- though his best friend, Mojo Rawley, is trying to convince the tight end to make the switch from the gridiron to the ring.

Which brings us to 'Raw' where Lio Rush and Bobby Lashley were talking trash to Finn Balor -- when Lio dragged Rob's name into his rant.

"Now you are gonna be forced to leave the game as a beaten, broken, hot piece of garbage like Rob Gronkowski," Lio told Finn.

The crowd in Boston was triggered and BOOED Lio -- who wore a devious smirk on his face ... almost like he knew exactly what he was doing!

Of course, Gronk is a big wrestling fan and even made a cameo at Wrestlemania 33 in 2017 -- and there's a buzz he could make pro wrestling his next full-time gig.

Nikki Bella is NOT leaving the WWE on bad terms -- it's the opposite -- with sources telling us she still has a GREAT working relationship with the company and is DEFINITELY open to returning to the ring.

35-year-old Bella just announced she's hanging up her wrestling boots after 12 years with Vince McMahon's promotion -- mostly because of the wear and tear on her body ... and also to pursue other business ventures.

But, sources close to Nikki tell us ... she still loves wrestling, still loves the WWE and would be down to make cameos in the future -- as long as the timing is right.

In fact, we're told Nikki will remain a WWE ambassador even though she won't be wrestling full-time. Also, she plans on continuing her reality show, "Total Bellas," which is produced by WWE.

As we previously reported, Nikki made her retirement decision after a recent trip overseas that was particularly rough on her body. She just can't handle the constant punishment a full-time wrestler endures.

Nikki had neck surgery 3 years ago stemming from a wrestling injury, and she's been battling neck pain ever since.

Bella has said she plans to focus on growing her businesses -- which includes a podcast, activewear line, beauty products and even a wine label.

Rob Gronkowski is no longer "shackled" by the NFL and the New England Patriots -- and that means we could see him RUN WILD in the WWE very soon ... so says his good friend, Mojo Rawley.

Everyone knows Gronk LOVES pro wrestling -- remember he made a cameo with Mojo at Wrestlemania 33 in 2017 -- and people are speculating he could become a WWE superstar now that his NFL career is over.

We spoke with Mojo, who says he wouldn't be shocked if Gronk turned his focus to the ring ... and predicts it's only a matter of time.

The best part of this clip ... Mojo strongly suggests the NFL and the Patriots pressured Rob into toning down his public persona to make sure he stayed out of trouble.

But now, "without the shackles" ... Gronk is a "whole 'nother beast" and Mojo says he can't wait to see Rob UNLEASHED!!

"Yo, let's go, baby," Mojo says in a video message for his pal ... "It's time to turn up! The handcuffs are off!"

"You don't have the Patriots and the NFL locking you down anymore! If you thought Gronk was wild before, I'm telling you, wait 'til you see him without the shackles on!!!"

There are rumors Gronk could crash 'Raw' tonight -- which happens to be in Boston.

Forget Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga ... here are two WWE superstars performing the smash hit "Shallow" IN THE WRESTLING RING -- and it's pretty amazing!!

The guy with the guitar is Elias -- who's a pretty talented musician when he's not bodyslamming people.

Dude teamed up with Finn Balor at a WWE live event over the weekend where they put on a musical show for the crowd ... and they loved it!!

Elias took the Bradley Cooper part of the song from "A Star Is Born." He sounded great.

Finn, on the other hand, is no Lady Gaga. Good effort though!

Of course, Bradley and Gaga's version of "Shallow" won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 2019 Oscars ... where the movie stars performed the song live.

It's been covered by a TON of people since the movie came out ... from Alicia Keys to Kelly Clarkson.

It's a wrap for Nikki Bella in the WWE ... the former champ says she's closing the book on her wrestling career -- claiming her body just can't handle the punishment anymore.

Bella said she realized she needed to retire after returning from a recent tour of Europe -- saying, "[The tour] was good but I just feel like I'm too old for that travel."

"The travel was really, really rough," Bella said on her reality show, "Total Bellas" ... "So, I realized, I was like, why am I doing this? I don't feel good."

Nikki said she feels the women at WWE are doing amazing things and she doesn't feel she needs to keep wrestling ... explaining, "I really am ready to hang up the jersey, like I can say it fully."

Nikki's sister, Brie -- who announced her retirement on a "Total Bellas" episode earlier this month -- gave her full support to Nikki, saying she can hang her WWE jersey "right next to mine."

35-year-old Nikki explained her body just doesn't feel great anymore -- and she wants to turn her focus on other business endeavors ... including her fashion brand.

"Here's to closing one chapter and the next one opening."

Bella is a sure-fire WWE Hall of Famer -- she is a 2-time WWE Divas champion and one of the most popular women in the history of the company.

Ronda Rousey giving a big middle finger to her employer is exactly what she shoulda done ... so says The Miz, who tells TMZ Sports her anti-wrestling rant was MONEY.

Rousey went scorched earth on WWE in a "non-scripted" tirade earlier this month ... saying "Wrestling is scripted. It’s made up. It’s not real. None of those bitches can f*cking touch me. The end.”

She also went off on fans, her coworkers, people from Ohio ... basically anyone she could think of, Ronda put in a metaphorical body bag.

The whole rant was crazy ... and some people think Ronda went TOO far ... but The Miz says it was perfect.

"She's making noise, she's making headlines and you're talking about her, so everything's working about it," The Miz says ... adding that it's great hype leading into the year's biggest event.

"It's WrestleMania season. You do whatever you have to do to get people watching ... right now, she's doing exactly that."

The Miz says all signs point to Ronda being part of the main event at WrestleMania 35 ... and the rant certainly helped generate buzz.

It finally happened ... Ronda Rousey's MMA star husband is beating people up in WWE now too!

Ex-UFC heavyweight Travis Browne was sitting ringside at 'Raw' on Monday night where Ronda was battling Dana Brooke, who's dating NBA star Enes Kanter.

There have been rumblings for a while that Browne would get involved with WWE in some capacity -- and Monday night, it finally happened ... when he got out of his seat and threw a haymaker at a security guard who was trying to restrain Rousey.

Browne pulled Rousey into the crowd and personally escorted her into the tunnel -- it's the first time he's been featured as a relevant player in a WWE match.

Could this mean a bigger role for Browne in the future? Maybe an in-ring debut?

It's possible. In fact, Browne has previously told TMZ Sports he's all the way down to become a pro wrestler ... saying he'd "love to go out there and work with my wife."

Browne is 6'7" and 255 pounds -- he's a BEAST -- and Vince McMahon knows a golden opportunity when he sees one.

Nikki Bella is now PDA official with her "Dancing with the Stars" partner, Artem Chigvintsev -- seemingly closing the door on a possible John Cena reconciliation.

The former WWE Divas champ was spotted at a romantic lunch with Chigvintsev at Joan's on Third in L.A. over the weekend ... where they held hands, strolled arm in arm and sucked a little face.

Nikki and Artem have been dating for a couple of weeks now after meeting on the set of 'DWTS' -- and it seems like the relationship is taking off.

We previously reported the two were spotted at a flirtatious day date in Bev Hills earlier this month ... but it's clearly evolved.

As for Cena, we're told Nikki and John are on good terms after splitting up last summer. They still talk every now and then ... but Nikki's clearly moving on.

Unclear how Cena feels about Nikki's new dude -- but one thing's for sure ... if they ever wind up in a dance battle, DON'T COUNT CENA OUT!!!

Check out this video of Cena getting funky during a workout session with The Rock ... he's no Derek Hough, but it's not terrible!

GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY ... Jim Ross is leaving WWE.

The 67-year-old legend made the announcement on "The Jim Ross Report" podcast on Thursday -- explaining he'll be leaving the company later this month when his contract expires.

"My WWE contract after 26 years will expire on Friday, March 29," Ross said.

"And, after talking a couple of weeks ago with Vince McMahon, we have mutually agreed I need to move on."

While noting the move is on good terms, Ross suggested powerful people in the organization clearly wanted him out.

"I still think I can do play-by-play even though others that may surround Vince think I can't."

Ross says he's leaving the company "with great thoughts, very positive."

"I've made a lot of money, Vince is amazing to Jan and myself. He set us up for life financially, of which I can never repay him."

"I'm 67, I still feel I can get the job done doing wrestling play-by-play, and I want to explore that opportunity and possibility," Ross said.

So, what's next for Ross? There are rumblings he will sign with the new AEW wrestling organization -- but nothing is official at this point.

Ross has been calling matches for WWE since the early '90s and has been part of the company's biggest moments.

After calling The Undertaker's match at WrestleMania 33 in 2017, he signed a 2-year contract to call special events for WWE. The last time he was on-air was back in April to work the Greatest Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia.

Pro wrestling legend King Kong Bundy -- who famously battled Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania 2 -- has died, WWE confirms. He was 61.

Details surrounding Bundy's death are unclear. We're working on it.

Bundy was a monster in the ring -- billed at 6'4", 458 pounds -- he mauled opponents and usually made the refs count to 5 instead of 3 ... just to prove his dominance.

He made his WWF debut in 1985 -- while managed by the "Mouth of the South," Jimmy Hart. He became so popular, so fast, Vince McMahon smartly booked him to take on Hulk Hogan in a steel cage match at Wrestlemania 2 in 1986.

Bundy lost the match, but became an even BIGGER star. In fact, he booked national commercials and even had cameos on huge shows like "Married with Children," "Weird Science" and "Boy Meets World."

Bundy left WWE (then WWF) in the late '80s ... but returned in 1994 as part of The Million Dollar Corporation and picked up right where he left off, destroying people.

The wrestling world is already paying tribute to Bundy -- real name, Christopher Pallies.

Hulk Hogan issued a statement saying, "Overwhelmed by King Kong Bundy’s passing, only great memories,R.I.P. big man until we meet again."

Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake tweeted, "OMG can’t hardly believe my friend Chris Pallies aka King Kong Bundy has passed away."

"Very sad news he was a kind soul. Rest In Peace Brother until we meet again."

Mick Foley said, "Hate to hear about the passing of King Kong Bundy. He was so cool to me when I walked in that @WWE dressing room as an absolute nobody in 1986."

Story developing ...

Nikki Bella is putting John Cena firmly in her rear view ... and moving forward with her new love interest ... her "Dancing With The Stars" partner, Artem Chigvintsev.

Sources close to Nikki tell TMZ ... Nikki isn't rekindling her romance with John -- despite rumors to the contrary -- and she sees no future with him.

We broke the story ... Nikki and John broke up last summer. We're told they still talk every now and then, but nothing will ever go back to how it was.

With John down for the count, we're told Nikki and Artem are spending a lot of time together.

We're told Artem flew out to L.A. Monday on his day off and squired Nikki to Wally's in Bev Hills. They drank wine and shared a meat and cheese board. Folks who were there say the date went on for hours ... lots of flirting.

Our Nikki sources say she's really into him and it looks like it's turning serious.

Stay tuned.

11:02 AM PT -- We just got AOC on Capitol Hill, and she tells us the comic book is truly an honor, and she's happy the proceeds are being donated to a good cause.

AOC tells us the entire process has been humbling, and she's hoping the comic will inspire people to discover their inner superhero.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is about to become a superhero in a new comic book chronicling her rise to Congress ... and her story starts in the ring.

TMZ has obtained a couple pages from Josh Blaylock and Devil's Due's new project, "Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the Freshman Force: New Party, Who Dis?" which hits the shelves in May.

The graphic novel paints AOC as a larger-than-life character who shows up in D.C. to kick some GOP ass with her fellow freshmen. Sounds real enough, but check out these panels.

Here's how the storyline begins ... AOC is a promising wrestler, and in WWE style, she kicks the butt of veteran Congressman Joe Crowley in the ring, and back in the locker room she meets a RIPPED Nancy Pelosi.

It's clear ... Josh and co. are not skimping on all the pulp drama. For the record ... AOC is not involved in the comic and, so far, has said nothing.

Oh, and BTW ... there's another page we got our hands on that takes a big shot at Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Peep it for yourself ... very "Where's Waldo?"-esque.

WWE Hall of Famer Tammy Sytch -- aka "Sunny" -- was arrested for DWI in New Jersey over the weekend, the 6TH time she's been busted for drunk driving.

Officials say the 46-year-old was driving the WRONG WAY on a one-way street around 6:30 PM on Saturday. She also blew through a stop sign.

When cops pulled her over, officers noticed she had an alcoholic container in the car and believed she was drunk -- so they arrested her on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

Cops say during the incident, they also realized Sytch was driving on a suspended license and she had two outstanding warrants out for her arrest.

Sytch was taken into custody and hauled to a nearby station. She was eventually released after facing a judge via video conference.

Sytch has a long and sad history with alcohol abuse and police. She's been arrested for drunk driving 6 times starting back in 2012 and just last year, she served 8 months in jail after 3 DUI arrests in 2018.

The last time we spoke with Sunny back in April 2017, she said she was cleaning herself up and completing rehab.

Sytch is a WWE legend -- she's widely considered the first WWE Diva and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame back in 2011.

Roman Reigns just gave cancer the Superman punch ... 'cause the WWE Superstar announced his leukemia is in remission!!

Last October, the 33-year-old -- who was originally diagnosed with leukemia in 2008 -- gave up his universal title and walked away from the ring to focus on his battle with cancer.

RR returned to Monday Night 'Raw' last night to officially announce the great news ... saying "THE BIG DOG IS BACK!!!"

"I said I was going to swing for the fences ... We did better than that, y'all," Roman said to a bunch of fans shouting his name in support.

"We didn't just swing for the fences. We hit a home run. So when I tell you this, I'm so grateful and so humbled and so honored to announce this ... The good news is, I'm in remission, y'all!!"

Reigns says he intends to use his platform to raise awareness for those dealing with similar diseases ... but also hinted at making a full return at a later date.

It wasn't just an announcement night for Reigns ... he also got in on the action -- saving Dean Ambrose from a 4-on-1 attack!!

Ric Flair thinks Bradley Cooper would be the perfect fit to play him in the upcoming Hulk Hogan biopic.

Ric came on "TMZ Live" Monday, which happens to be his 70th birthday, and we asked who he wants cast as Nature Boy in Todd Phillips' new movie ... and without skipping a beat, Ric's wife, Wendy, shouted her answer.

Ric's a smart man, so he ran with it. Happy wife, happy life.

Hey, when your wife throws you a surprise birthday bash with tons of celebs, ya gotta listen to her!

Wendy might actually be on to something here ... Todd often works with Bradley, so we're guessing the director would be down to cast him alongside leading man Chris Hemsworth.

What do you get for "Rolex wearin’, diamond ring wearin’, kiss stealin’, wheelin’ dealin’, limousine ridin’, jet flyin’ son of a gun" who's turning 70?

A BIG ASS FREAKIN' SURPRISE PARTY!!!!

That's exactly what Ric Flair's wife, Wendy, did to celebrate the Nature Boy's 70th ... and the celebrity guest list was exactly what you'd think a living, breathing legend would get.

It went down at Friday at 1818 Club Ballroom in Duluth, Georgia and huge stars like Todd Gurley, Charles Barkley, Jeff Hardy, Triple H, Evander Holyfield and Dennis Rodman were all there to wish Naich well.

CEO Custom Cakes provided the confectionery delight in the form of a gigantic custom cake shaped like a wrestling belt, while super fancy petal pushers Venus ET Fleur provided the flowers.

Wendy also had a sick robe designed modeled after Flair's favorite from back in the day.

Fantastic job, Wendy ... we're sure your birthday will be even better now, complete with a free ride on your favorite theme park attraction.