TNA

TNA's heavyweight championship belt -- valued at roughly $6,000 -- was stolen earlier this month from right under a stagehand's nose ... but thankfully, the suspected thieves have been caught ... with the help of TECHNOLOGY.

TNA sources tell TMZ, the alleged belt-snatching took place on August 18th in Ottumwa, Iowa before a non-televised event while a stagehand was unloading props from his truck.

We're told the stagehand turned away for a split second, and one of the suspects grabbed the $6,000 belt -- along with a $400 replica -- and took off.

The two suspects were later identified by police using surveillance footage.

33-year-old Joel Luke and 39-year-old Forrest Jamison were arrested Wednesday before posting bail and being released. Luke was charged with 2nd-degree theft and Jamison was charged with accessory.

Joey Kovar dabbled in the world of professional wrestling before his unexpected death ... and this weekend, TMZ has learned his former colleagues honored his memory with an emotional tribute.

We broke the story ... Kovar joined up with Poww Entertainment in 2010, following his stint on "The Real World: Hollywood" ... and dreamed of someday wrestling for TNA.

Poww's head-honcho Jim Blaze tells TMZ ... Kovar was beloved during his stint with the league, and while he never made it to TNA, everyone respected the guy.

In fact, Blaze (pictured below) took a moment during a show in Illinois this weekend to address the crowd ... saying, "Everyone has demons and addictions ... we need to support each other to help people overcome them."

MMA fighter Muhammed Lawal -- known as King Mo -- wants to kick some serious ass this summer when he joins TNA wrestling ... so much so he's reaching out to some MAJOR ring legends for advice.

The former Strikeforce champion tells TMZ ... as a lifelong wrestling supporter, he doesn't want to disappoint any fans when he steps into the ring. So in order to prepare ... he called wrestling stars Hulk Hogan and Sting for some pointers.

We're told Hulk and Sting imparted their wisdom by telling Mo "just to learn and have fun" with it.

For those unfamiliar with the world of wrestling ... Mo is breaking barriers by fighting with two different companies -- Bellator (which is MMA) and TNA Wrestling -- simultaneously in a joint deal.

Icing on the cake ... Mo tells us several other MMA fighters have reached out to him with interest in crossing over as well.

Brooke Hogan is following in her father's giant yellow footsteps ... TMZ has learned she just inked a deal to join the TNA Wrestling family.

TNA President Dixie Carter tells TMZ ... Brooke is NOT going to be a wrestler ... but rather an executive who will be tasked to develop female talent.

We're told Brooke's duties will help up and coming she-wrestlers develop their characters, help with backstage promos and even consult on entrance music.

Obviously, 24-year-old Brooke has been around the wrestling world her entire life ... and believes she can help improve the organization. It doesn't hurt that her father also works for TNA.

Carter tells us, "Brooke is such a great talent who's really sharp and will make a great addition to the TNA family."

“Repo Games” host and resident tough guy Josh Lewis is ready to kick some serious ass ... and we’re not talking missed car payment ass ... we mean hard core TNA wrestling ass.

TMZ has learned ... the Spike TV host and real life repo man has struck a deal to get in the ring with TNA wrestling in the very near future.

It's unclear if Josh will actually wrestle a match ... but we're told things will "definitely get physical."

We're told Josh is a life-long wrestling fanatic and REEAALLLY wants to make the wrestling thing a full time gig down the line.

He may have been reckless ... but wrestling champ Kurt Angle will not be prosecuted for drunk driving stemming from a September arrest in Warren County, Virgina.

TMZ has learned ... prosecutors have reviewed the case, and have agreed to reduce the charge to misdemeanor reckless driving.

We're guessing they finally caught a glimpse of the police report, which showed Angle's blood alcohol level measured in at .06 on the night he was arrested ... which is under the legal limit in VA, .08.

If convicted, Angle still faces up to 12 months behind bars and up to $2,500 in fines.

Former wrestling star Jeff Hardy has checked into a North Carolina jail to serve his 10-day sentence stemming from a drug arrest back in 2009 ... TMZ has learned.

Hardy was arrested on Sept. 11, 2009 after cops say they found all sorts of drugs in his home -- including opium and cocaine.

Hardy struck a deal with prosecutors ... in which he agreed to plead guilty to two counts of possession of a controlled substance and one count of conspiracy to traffic in exchange for a 10 day jail sentence, 30 months of probation and a $100k fine.

34-year-old Hardy -- who took a brand new mug shot upon arrival to the jail -- was listed at 6'1" and 215 lbs.

More trouble for ex-WWE champ Matt Hardy -- the 36-year-old was arrested for driving under the influence in North Carolina this week ... the second time in the last couple of weeks.

According to the arrest report obtained by TMZ ... cops received a complaint of a "possible drunk driver" late Monday afternoon ... who almost "hit two drivers three separate times."

When the cop spotted Hardy, the wrestler's car, "swerved into the curb and then back onto the road."

Once Hardy was pulled over, the officer claims Hardy "had slow and slurred speech, sleepy eyes and a very lackadaisical demeanor."

According to the report, Hardy took the walk-the-line test -- but "after taking two steps, Mr. Hardy lost his balance and failed to stay on the line."

Hardy took a breathalyzer -- but when the results showed he wasn't drunk ... cops called in a "Drug Recognition Officer" to perform even more tests.

Eventually, cops believed Hardy was under the influence of something ... and arrested him on the spot.

Hardy is scheduled to appear in court on November 30.

Wrestling superstar Kurt Angle says his blood alcohol level was WAY under the legal limit when he was arrested for drunk driving this weekend ... and now TMZ has a police document that seems to back up his story.

We've obtained the Certificate of Blood Alcohol Analysis ... issued by the State of Virginia ... which shows Kurt's B.A.C. was .06 at the time of his arrest. The legal limit in VA is .08.

The TNA Wrestling champ has released a statement on the matter ... saying, "I did not believe my driving behavior was reckless or otherwise improper."

He adds, "I fully cooperated with the officer who clearly recognized me while performing his standard procedures. Subsequent to the stop, I was asked to submit to a breathalyzer test and passed. I do not believe that I broke any laws and will be entering a plea of not guilty in response to any pending charges."

As TMZ previously reported, troopers pulled over Angle's car after receiving a tip from another motorist ... who claimed the wrestler was driving erratically.

Angle explains, "I was returning from an iMPACT Wrestling show in an unfamiliar place, late at night and was trying to find the exit for my hotel."

Former WWE superstar Kurt Angle was pretty damn calm for a guy who claims he was wrongly arrested for drunk driving over the weekend -- telling photogs at LAX, "Of course" he'll fight the case.

Kurt Angle apparently believes he's been FRAMED in connection with his drunk driving arrest Sunday morning ... this according to sources connected with the famous wrestler.

As TMZ first reported, Angle was popped in Virginia after he was allegedly seen driving erratically on I-66.

But Angle's lawyer tells TMZ ... his client passed a breathalyzer test. The lawyer tells us, "We understand Kurt will be entering a plea of not guilty in response to any infractions and/or offenses."

Sources connected with Kurt tell TMZ ... cops are just trying to make an example of him.

The cops are mum, saying the case will be tried in court.

Former TNA wrestler Matt Hardy is NOT in the middle of a suicidal crisis ... despite a cryptic message he posted on YouTube starting with, "Goodbye, World" -- and ending with, "September 23, 1974 - August 31, 2011."

Hardy -- who was busted for DWI earlier this month and fired from TNA -- posted the message late Tuesday ... but when TMZ contacted Hardy he was fine.

Hardy was apologetic saying the post "was not in any way a suicide note. I want to reassure everyone that I am doing great right now."

Matt believes the statement was really about his last 2 weeks since the DWI arrest -- and that he feels it's time for a change. He adds, "I went from being the guy who wanted to change the world, entertain and inspire people to being someone who was more concerned about shock value."

He claims the YouTube post is the last of his over-the-top antics and he's going back to the "Old Matt Hardy."

Troubled wrestling star Matt Hardy was rushed to an emergency room in North Carolina this morning after falling down in his home ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to Matt tell us ... the ex-TNA star hadn't been feeling well ... but it's unclear as to what caused Matt to fall down.

So far, the extent of his injuries are unknown -- but a family member tells us Hardy is expected to be released from the hospital tomorrow.

TMZ has obtained the photo of wrestling superstar Matt Hardy ... taken moments after he was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated in North Carolina this weekend.

As we first reported, Hardy was arrested after his Corvette smashed into a tree Saturday.

Hardy submitted to a blood test following the crash. The results are pending ... but judging by the photo ... he's totally F'd.

Scott Baio got into a verbal altercation at a golf course in Los Angeles this week -- but don't worry, Chachi wasn't in any real danger ... cause the whole thing was staged.

TMZ obtained photos taken this week, showing Baio getting into it with TNA wrestler Eric Young -- and we're told the whole thing was shot for a comedy segment that will air on Impact Wrestling this Thursday on Spike TV.

Matt Hardy's arrest today in North Carolina has had immediate repercussions -- he's been DROPPED from TNA.

A rep for TNA tells TMZ, "TNA today released Impact Wrestling star Matt Hardy from its roster. Hardy was already under suspension from the company."