WWE

The WWE has issued an full apology after an on-air personality joked that one of the wrestlers was "like Kobe Bryant at a hotel in Colorado ... he's unstoppable."

It all went down during a live broadcast of "Monday Night Raw" ... when a manager named Abraham Washington -- who was wearing a live mic -- was ringside for a match involving a wrestler named Titus O'Neil ... and during the action, A.W. let the Kobe crack fly.

The comment is an obvious reference to Kobe's 2003 sexual assault case -- when he was accused of raping a woman in his hotel room in Eagle, Colorado. The accuser eventually reached a settlement with Kobe and dropped her case.

A rep for the WWE has issued a statement to TMZ ... telling us, "A.W. made an inappropriate comment and WWE immediately apologized."

The rep adds, "WWE has taken appropriate action in the matter." It's unclear what kind of "action" the org. has decided to take.

Sources tell us A.W. "felt horrible" after he made the comment ... claiming he simply "got caught up in the moment" ... and realizes the comment could be hurtful to rape victims and their families.

A.W. immediately apologized to WWE honchos, including the McMahon family, and several wrestlers ... and has also vowed to refrain from making similar comments in the future.

10:20 PM PT -- Washington has issued an apology on Twitter ... calling his comments "inappropriate and insensitive."

DO YOU SMELLLLLLL .... something burning?

TMZ has learned ... the Cincinnati Fire Department raced to the US Bank Arena moments ago after a fire broke out on the stage at WWE rehearsals for tonight's "Monday Night Raw."

A rep for the WWE tells us the fire began due to a "minor incident involving the show's pyrotechnics" ... and as a precaution, the "limited number of people in the building during the incident were successfully evacuated."

Former pro wrestling champ John "Bradshaw" Layfield's attempt to climb 7 of the highest mountains in the world just got a quarter million dollar boost ... courtesy of his old cohorts at the WWE.

If you didn't know, JBL has been planning to climb the highest peak on each continent to help raise money for a charity he works with called Family Center -- the group helps needy kids in Bermuda where he lives. JBL was going to pay for the expeditions out of his own pocket until the WWE stepped up to help.

JBL tells TMZ, "The WWE is sponsoring my whole 7 summits trip and will help get the word out across their social media platforms ... all to raise money for the kids program."

45-year old JBL says 100% of the proceeds will go to Family Center -- and he hopes conquering legendary peaks like Everest and Kilimanjaro inspires the kids in Bermuda to know anything is possible.

WWE Star Ricardo Rodriguez got a traffic-stop smackdown yesterday ... when cops nailed the wrestler for speeding while on his way to film Monday Night Raw.

Sources tell TMZ, Rodriguez put the pedal to the metal -- allegedly clocking 70 mph in a 55 mph zone -- when cops pulled him over ... mere miles from the Greensboro, NC Coliseum where last night's show was being held.

R-Rod knows when he's been made (photo below) ... and accepted the ginormous $200 speeding ticket with no objections.

We're told the ticket was so expensive because Rodriguez was speeding through a construction zone (note the orange cones) ... which is a big no-no on any road.

Ted DiBiase Jr. doesn't just portray a good guy wrestler for the WWE, he is an actual good person who gave the family of a sick kid a big boost when he stopped by for a visit and even led them in prayer.

DiBiase Jr. was at the Batson Children's Hospital in Mississippi filming a documentary about his faith and his charity for sick and underprivileged children.

During his tour of the hospital, DiBiase learned about a 10-month-old boy with Adenylosuccinate lyase deficiency, an extremely rare disease which causes psychomotor retardation and which could lead to epileptic seizures as well as autism.

The WWE tells us ... the organization has already reached out to Maven to offer "rehab assistance" as part of the WWE’s Former Talent Rehab program.

TMZ broke the story ... Maven -- who won a WWE contract on the "Tough Enough" reality show back in 2001 -- was arrested in Florida this week for allegedly doctor shopping in an effort to get his fix of powerful pain pills.

As part of the WWE's policy, the organization will pay for 100% of any rehab or treatment program for former WWE wrestlers ... as long as the wrestler wants the help.

The rep notes, "WWE is the only entertainment or sports organization that offers its former performers assistance with substance abuse issues."

WWE honcho Vince McMahon is a HERO for booting Randy Orton out of the upcoming "Marine" movie ... this according to the guys who served in the military unit abandoned by WWE superstar back in 1999.

TMZ spoke with Cpl. Mike Vinn ... who tells us, "On behalf of all the Marines from Aco 1/4 98-02, that were outraged to hear about Randy Orton portraying a Marine in the next movie "Marine: Homefront", I'd like to thank the WWE for pulling Orton from the role when they heard about his disloyal service to the United States Marine Corps."

Vinn adds, "It shows respect for not only the unit I had served in, but for every person that has ever defended this nation. Thank you WWE."

TMZ broke the story ... WWE officials made the decision to pull Orton from the flick when they discovered the wrestler had received a bad conduct discharge from the Marines in 1999 after going AWOL on 2 separate occasions.

WWE superstar Randy Orton has been 86'd from the lead role in the upcoming movie "Marine: Homefront" ... amidst outrage from several Devil Dogs who claim Randy deserted them during his brief stint in the USMC.

A rep for WWE tells us, "WWE demonstrated poor judgment in signing Randy Orton for the 3rd installment of the film."

The rep adds, "Despite Randy's popularity, the fact that he was dishonorably discharged from the USMC made it inappropriate for him to be cast in this film."

The move will surely satisfy Cpl. Mike Vinn ... one of Randy's former unit members who was FURIOUS the wrestler was ever up for the role in the first place ... since Orton received a bad conduct discharge in 1999 after going AWOL on two separate occasions and disobeying an order from a commanding officer.

Orton was court-martialed and served 38 days in a military prison.

Before Orton was scrapped from the project, Vinn told TMZ, "I am disgusted that his face and the word Marine are being used next to each other -- real or fake -- because of the fact that he quit us, the country, and the Marine Corps. [Randy] in the role of a Marine is a disgrace to those that have worn and are wearing that uniform."

Alex Rodriguez is used to having fans get excited to meet him -- but it was opposite day at WrestleMania last night, when A-Rod was the giddy fan meeting several WWE stars.

A-Rod got the intros from current girlfriend and former WWE hottie Torrie Wilson during last night's record-setting event. We're told Torrie introduced A-Rod to such stars as Big Show, Rey Mysterio, and John Cena (pictured above with A-Rod and Torrie).

But A-Rod wasn't the only Yankee in the house. During his backstage visit, A-Rod ran into teammates Robinson Cano and Eduardo Nunez ... who didn't even know Alex would be there.

WWE star (and Harvard Law grad) David Otunga was so touched by the story of a young Haiti refugee ... he decided to give the kid the greatest present ever -- an in-person meet-and-greet with all of the boy's wrestling heroes.

Otunga was in Florida on Friday to give an anti-bullying talk at a John F. Kennedy Middle School -- and as part of the event ... the school raffled off a ticket to Wrestlemania 28 this weekend in Miami Gardens, where The Rock will face off against John Cena.

The kid who won the raffle turned out to be a refugee from Haiti's massive 2010 earthquake -- and now lives with foster parents in the US. Two weeks ago, the boy's biological mother died in Haiti.

Otunga caught wind of the boy's story -- and was so moved he decided a simple Wrestlemania ticket wasn't enough ... so he personally set up a meet-and-greet for the kid backstage ... with ALL the wrestlers at the event.

WWE star Kia "Kharma" Stevens did not deliver a healthy baby boy on December 31st, despite what she told friends. Kia tells TMZ the child tragically died before she was able to give birth.

Kia tells us she is still devastated over the loss ... and initially lied to friends about the child being "healthy" because she was incredibly emotional and was afraid to tell the public the truth after announcing her pregnancy on live TV.

Kia says she's finally coming to grips with everything ... and wants to help other women in her situation.

"I am planning to start a foundation for women that have experienced the same thing" ... Kia says ... adding, "It's a bigger club than people think."

You can't teach old wrestlers new tricks -- and several WWE icons proved it last week, during a hilariously left-footed Zumba class ... and TMZ has obtained the clumsy footage.

"Hacksaw" Jim Duggan ... along with WWE legends like Jimmy "Mouth of the South" Hart, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, Hillbilly Jim, Pat Patterson, "Mean" Gene Okerlund, Howard Finkel, and Tony Atlas all hit the dance studio in Palm Springs ... and shocker, we're told it's for an upcoming reality show.

Sources tell us the show still doesn't have a home ... but we're told the WWE is hoping to run it on its upcoming network.

WWE star John Cena will still wave the honorary green starter flag at the Daytona 500 tomorrow -- despite rumors the wrestling star would be forced to miss the race ... TMZ has learned.

In case you didn't know, the Daytona 500 was rained out today for the first time in its 54-year history and pushed back to tomorrow at noon.

There were several reports ... Cena would have to miss the race because he's also scheduled to appear at Monday Night RAW in Portland, Oregon.

But a rep for the WWE tells TMZ, "John Cena will still start the Daytona 500 off by waving the green flag and saying drivers start your engines."

The rep adds, "Shortly after he'll fly to Portland, Oregon to be at Monday Night RAW."

Busy day.

February 27, 7:20 AM PT -- The Daytona 500 start was pushed back to 7 P.M. Monday night which means Cena can no longer make an appearance at the race.

Everybody relax ... WWE diva Kharma did NOT wrestle pregnant Sunday night at Royal Rumble 2012 -- TMZ has learned, she gave birth to her baby a few weeks ago ... and she's already back in ass-kicking shape.

Kharma -- real name Kia Stevens -- announced her pregnancy 8 months ago before going on maternity leave from the wrestling company.

There had been no mention of the wrestler since -- so when Kharma made her surprise return Sunday night, there was some speculation she was still knocked up when she entered the ring.

Others thought there might have been some complication with her pregnancy because she only made the announcement 8 months ago ... a month less than it takes to hatch a kid.

But all is well -- sources close to the wrestler tell us, Kharma gave birth to a healthy baby boy named Jamie on December 31st.

Mike Tyson can now boast that he's a member of not one, but two halls of fame -- because the legendary boxer is going to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame ... TMZ has learned.

Tyson will be inducted during the ceremony at American Airlines Arena in Miami, FL on March 31. As has become tradition, WrestleMania XXVIII takes place the following day.

Iron Mike tells TMZ, "I am honored to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. I was the youngest heavyweight champion of all time, but the most fun I ever had in the ring was with WWE."

Tyson's history with the WWE goes back to 1998 when, after a confrontation with Stone Cold Steve Austin on Monday Night Raw, Tyson served as special enforcer for the main event at WrestleMania XIV between Austin and Shawn Michaels (see above).

Tyson made his return to the WWE last year, when he hosted Monday Night Raw.

Other non-wrestlers in the WWE Hall of Fame include Drew Carey, Pete Rose and William "The Refrigerator" Perry.

WWE superstar David Otunga took a break from his full time wrestling gig to return to his previous career -- attorney-at-law -- and much like his "Monday Night Raw" matches ... crushed the competition.

TMZ found out Otunga returned to court Thursday morning to represent a man who believes he was wrongfully terminated and denied unemployment benefits. Otunga tells us he was repping the man in his appeal to the NY State Department of Labor.

The proceedings took place before an administrative judge who heard witness testimony and arguments from both sides.

Otunga -- who graduated from Harvard Law School before wrestling -- told us he "smoked the witness during cross examination." The judge agreed ... Otunga's client won the appeal and will now get unemployment benefits.

Otunga says he enjoys keeping his legal skills sharp, and adds ... "If the outcome of the case is any indication of how I'll do in the Royal Rumble this weekend, then it looks like I'll be the winner."

By the way, Otunga didn't do it for the cash -- he took the case, pro bono ... By the way he's engaged to Jennifer Hudson.