WWE

Ronda Rousey's UFC resume kicks ass, but we gotta pump the brakes on calling her the next big thing in wrestling -- so says WWE superstar Randy Orton.

With all the buzz Ronda's gotten since her Royal Rumble appearance, our guy asked Randy if he thinks she's on the fast track to the Mount Rushmore of Pro Wrestling.

The 13-time champ wasn't having it -- telling TMZ Sports it's way too soon to make those kinds of comparisons. After all, Rousey hasn't even had A SINGLE MATCH.

"She has a good chance of being one of the top female wrestlers eventually, but she’s got a long way to go," Orton told TMZ Sports outside LAX.

What happens when "Big Brother" legend Jessie Godderz runs into his favorite TMZ photog?

This time, the answer is DUCT TAPE HAIR WAX -- a punishment for not staying up on "Mr. Pec-Tacular" ... and the reality show that made him famous.

Jessie flipped the script on our guy at LAX, serving up 3 questions in an impromptu pop quiz.

Our guy only got 1 ... and the former pro wrestler wasn't about to let him off the hook.

Silver lining -- this was the LEAST painful of their encounters ... which have included a submission beatdown and manhood-crushing wedgie.

Mark Henry has a way for Hulk Hogan to make a complete return to the WWE ... one that he says will allow everyone in the organization to forgive Hogan for good.

Hulk has to apologize, again, but this time to all the existing black talent currently wrestling for the organization.

Mark dropped this knowledge when we got him out in NYC and asked what he thought of Hogan's chances of getting back into fold are, since Hogan's been angling for a comeback.

Although there are many in the wrestling world -- including Ric Flair -- that think it's high time Hogan is let back in, Henry's opinion matters, because he's now a producer for the WWE, and a prominent black voice.

Why did WWE superstar Shelton Benjamin fear his life was in danger when he found a LOADED GUN in the glove compartment of his Budget rental car?

"Me being a big black guy in a car with a gun in it? There's no way that scenario ends well for me if the cops come."

Yeah, that REALLY happened to Shelton last week in Kansas City -- where he discovered a loaded Ruger pistol with a spare clip that somebody else had left in the glove box.

Shelton says his mind raced when he first saw the gun -- wondering if it was used in a crime and if cops would wrongly think it belonged to him.

But Shelton handled things the right way -- saying he called police immediately and explained the situation ... and cops were cool when they came to collect the weapon.

In fact, cops told Shelton they see similar situations with guns left in rental cars "all the time."

Yeesh.

We reached out to Budget for comment -- so far, no word back.

Hopefully, Shelton gets some free rentals out of the situation ...

John Cena is giving Ford a little attitude adjustment of his own -- telling the car company to take their lawsuit over his old $500,000 supercar and shove it.

We broke the story ... Ford claims it sold Cena a super rare "limited edition" Ford GT supercar -- 647 horsepower, 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine with an MSRP of $450,000.

Ford claims they only selected a few people for the privilege of buying the car -- and Cena was one of the lucky ones (Justin Verlander and Joey Logano also own the whip).

The caveat, according to Ford, owners CANNOT resell the car during the initial 24 months of ownership. Ford claims Cena broke the rules and flipped his ride for a profit. They're suing Cena for every penny he got from the sale.

But in new court docs filed in district court in Michigan, John says he did nothing wrong -- because the final contract he signed said nothing about a 24-month no-resale clause.

Cena says Ford screwed up by not putting the sale restriction in the final binding contract -- and he shouldn't be punished because they suck at paperwork.

Now, he's asking the judge to throw out the case against him.

Ric Flair has some WWE matchmaking advice for Vince McMahon -- set Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair, ASAP!!

Ric's daughter is the current "SmackDown" Women's Champion -- and Ric tells TMZ Sports he knows his daughter wants a shot at the newest star on the roster.

Charlotte has previously told TMZ Sports when it comes to Rousey -- "She knows where to find me."

The good news for Rousey ... Ric and his pal Hulk Hogan are big fans. They love the fact she's a TRUE wrestling fan and were impressed with her tribute to Rowdy Roddy Piper.

Speaking of legends ... we also asked Hulk and Ric to name the 4 people who belong on the Mount Rushmore of Pro Wrestling.

Spoiler alert: here are some names that DIDN'T make the cut:

The Rock, Ultimate Warrior, Randy Savage, Undertaker, John Cena, Triple H, Shawn Michaels and Sting.

If Rob Gronkowski retires from football ... could he have a 2nd career in the WWE ring?!

That's what Gronk's best buddy, WWE superstar Mojo Rawley, hinted at before the Super Bowl ... just 1 day before Rob shocked the NFL universe by saying he might not be back in 2018.

"It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of WHEN," Mojo told TMZ Sports, before adding, "I can't speak for him."

Hard to think Gronk -- injury (and concussion) history aside -- would call it quits at age 28 ... especially to get body-slammed in the ring.

That said ... you can't deny he's got the look.

Hulk Hogan says he's ready to return to his WWE wrestling family and hopes that Vince McMahon will give him another chance to prove he's a good guy.

Hulk and his good friend Ric Flair spoke to TMZ Sports right before their Q&A event at the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa -- set up by their reps at Prince Marketing Group -- and opened up about their friendship and career.

"For me, I'd love to change that last story that was told with the Hulk Hogan career. I'd love to get back in the fold, get back on the inside and correct a lot of stuff."

He adds ... "It has to be the perfect timing for both sides. We're all on good terms. We're all working towards the same goal. So hopefully, I'll be able to be back with my wrestling family some day soon."

Obviously Hulk is referring to the infamous n-word video that surfaced in 2015. McMahon severed ties with the WWE Hall of Famer after that.

One guy who's vouching for Hulk is Naitch -- who tells us Hogan is one of the most caring people he's ever met ... and even flew to Georgia when he was in the hospital last year.

Flair also says Hulk gave him money when he needed it the most several years ago.

The Philadelphia Eagles are champions of the NFL ... and now they got the championship bling to match!

On the heels of their huge Super Bowl win, WWE exec Triple H got a custom world heavyweight championship belt done up for the Eagles ... a gold-plated replica of the strap belonging to current WWE champ A.J. Styles.

"To quote Zach Ertz, you’re 'the World Champions' .... so you need a World Title! Congratulations," HHH said.

The belt looks awesome ... but it's worth noting that HHH -- a native of the Boston area -- also got one made for the Patriots last year.

Guess there are no hard feelings.

Wanna see Brooke Hogan covered in lube? Well, you're in luck.

Brooke was doused in some sort of slippery fluid Thursday in Santa Monica while trying to climb UP a slide. It wasn't just for giggles -- Brooke, Casper Smart, Drake Bell, Lil Mama, Selita Ebanks and several other celebs are taping a new season of 'Champs vs. Stars' for MTV.

Brooke and co. take on another team of retired athletes and celebs for the competition reality show.

Check out the video ... we can't tell who won this particular event.

Other than the spectators, that is.

Looks like the feud between 2 of the baddest chicks on the planet has fizzled out -- 'cause Laila Ali is wishing Ronda Rousey "all the best" in WWE.

For real.

We got Laila at an event for her new 'Food for Life' book out in NYC ... and the former unified boxing champ did the unthinkable -- she gave her UFC rival PROPS for pursuing a new career.

"I think it's cool ... she can wrestle!" Ali told TMZ Sports.

Remember ... Laila famously criticized Ronda after she lost to Holly Holm -- and that's after they went back and forth for months, saying they'd smash each other in boxing.

It's been almost a year since Derrick Lewis hollered at Ronda Rousey after KO'ing her BF, Travis Browne ... and he ain't ready to let go of his #WomanCrushEveryday.

Remember -- Derrick famously asked where Ronda's "fine ass" was at last February ... after sending poor Trav to the shadow realm.

Since then, both Lewis and Rousey have both gotten hitched to their SOs ... but Lewis says that hasn't changed how he feels about her.

"My wife doesn't like me still searching for Ronda ... but she'll get over it sooner or later," Black Beast told TMZ Sports.

Derrick also told us why he's happy Rousey joined WWE ... and why the hell he's been TRAINING WITH A RATTLESNAKE just weeks away from his scrap at UFC Fight Night: Austin.

Roddy Piper's kids were downright emotional when talking about how much Ronda Rousey means to their family ... and what a special moment it was to see her wearing the WWE legend's jacket.

TMZ Sports spoke with Colt Toombs and Ariel Teal Toombs about the plan to let Ronda wear Roddy's trademark fashion accessory at the Royal Rumble ... and the backstory might make you cry.

Of course, Roddy passed away in 2015 ... and both Colt and Ariel tell us Ronda personally vowed to them that she would do everything in her power to keep his legacy alive.

FYI, Ronda has always said Piper was her inspiration ... and she had personally asked him for permission to use his nickname back in the day. He obliged.

Now, Roddy's kids say she's doing a damn fine job keeping his spirit alive and they support her 100% moving forward.

Move over, Wale -- there's a new WWE superfan rapper, and his name is Desiigner!

Want proof? Check out the "Panda" M.C. at the Royal Rumble in Philly Sunday night ... losing his damn mind with pretty much every Rumble entrant.

The highlights ...

-- Hollerin' at "sexy ass" Torrie Wilson (can't blame him)

-- EXPLODING when Rey Mysterio hit his signature "619"

-- Imitating his friend, Paul Heyman, introducing Brock Lesnar

Fun fact: Desiigner performed at Heyman's son's bar mitzvah a few months back.

Forget the "good guy" stuff ... Ronda Rousey should be a HEEL when she opens her WWE storyline, so says big-time wrestling fan, Cedric the Entertainer.

We broke the news to Ced in L.A. on Sunday night after Rousey crashed the Royal Rumble and confirmed she's now a full-time WWE superstar ... you can tell he's pumped about it!

Not only did Ced warn Ronda about the Bella Twins, he also pitched Ronda on why she should start her WWE career as a VILLAIN.

File under: Awww.

If you think you were pumped on Ronda Rousey's surprise Royal Rumble appearance ... peep this video of Travis Browne and her two stepchildren -- who had ZERO clue she had joined the company!!

Travis was PUMPED as soon as he heard Rousey's music hit ... but it took the boys, Kaleo and Keawe, a few seconds to figure out what was up.

Once they do ... their reaction is priceless.