WWE

Sting has officially retired from pro wrestling ... making his announcement at his WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, just as TMZ Sports said he would.

We broke the story ... the wrestling legend messed up his neck real bad at his "WWE Night of Champions" match against Seth Rollins back in September -- and was never able to recover.

Snoop Dogg is PUMPED to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame ... so pumped he broke into a Hulk Hogan impression at the mere mention of the honor and we gotta say ... it's kinda dope.

"Making a Murderer" star, and controversial convict, Brendan Dassey's lost all hope in his new prison -- he will not get to see his favorite show, WrestleMania ... TMZ has learned.

Dassey transferred to Columbia Criminal Institution in Wisconsin in January, and prison officials tell us there's a strict rule against violence, foul language and nudity for TV viewing. That means the WWE's main event is off the table, so avid wrestling fan Dassey is screwed.

If you watched 'Murderer,' you'll recall Dassey's main concern after getting arrested for homicide in March 2006 ... was that he'd miss WrestleMania 22 the next month.

The race for the White House is becoming 'WrestleMania' ... with candidates smack talking each other on TV like they're fresh out of the WWE ... so says someone who would know -- John Cena.

So, Vader's naked penis was unleashed on the world Friday via Twitter ... but the ex-WWE superstar says it was a MISTAKE -- and he's pointing the finger at a vengeful ex-girlfriend.

The pic of Vader's junk was quickly removed from his Twitter page shortly after it went public -- and the 60-year-old was quick to explain how it happened.

"I want to apologize to everyone. My ExGirlfriend hacked my account and sent out an inappropriate picture. Please except my apology."

Hulk Hogan has no worries over Gawker appealing his $140 million judgment ... and he's acting like he's got money to burn.

Hulk was at the Le Parker Meridien Hotel in NYC Tuesday night when our photog lightly grilled him about the prospect of the judgment getting overturned.

He makes no bones about it ... Hulk wants back in the WWE.

And check out the clip below ... Hulk says he had a chance meeting with Gawker founder Nick Denton at the courthouse urinal.

Hulk Hogan just scored $25 million in punitive damages in his sex tape lawsuit, bringing his total haul to $140 million.

A jury just awarded the famed wrestler the punitive award, with this breakdown. Gawker Media must pay $15 mil, site owner Nick Denton is on the hook for $10 mil, and A.J. Daulerio, the Editor responsible for posting the tape, must pay $100,000.

As we reported, the jury awarded Hulk $115 million Friday for actual damages.

Gawker just issued a statement saying it is confident the verdict will be overturned on appeal. The site maintains it has a right to post the tape because it was newsworthy and therefore protected by the First Amendment.

Sting's wrestling career is over ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Long story short ... the wrestling legend messed up his neck real bad at his "WWE Night of Champions" match against Seth Rollins back in September -- and was never able to recover.

Sources connected to Sting tell us he was evaluated by several doctors who all agree -- it's just too risky for the wrestler to get back in the squared circle ... so, he's decided to hang up his singlet.

We're told the 56-year-old was formally diagnosed with cervical spinal stenosis -- a condition affecting the nerves that can result in extreme pain and discomfort.

In fact, it's the same condition that forced fellow WWE superstar Edge to retire in 2011.

Our sources tell us Sting may make his official announcement next month at the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony in Texas ... but we're told it's a done deal.

As far as Sting's future -- it's up in the air. We're told Sting is open to a non-physical role with the company ... but we're told no formal offer has been made.

Sting was a legend in the ring ... rising to superstardom in the late '80s before becoming the face of the WCW and a huge fan favorite in the WWE.

#Respect

Nothing fake about this ... WWE superstar Neville was so distraught after breaking his ankle during a televised match this week, he nearly cried when the WWE doctor confirmed the injury.

Check out this video of Neville getting checked out by Dr. Chris Amann after his match at "Raw" ... you can see how heartbroken Neville was to learn that his injury was most likely a fracture.

(You can see video of the actual injury here ... but it's nasty)

WWE eventually confirmed what Amann suspected ... the ankle was broken.

The good news ... Neville won't need surgery -- and he's only expected to miss 2 to 3 months.

Daniel Cormier says Jon Jones' good guy image is all BS -- claiming Jon privately called him the "biggest p***y he ever met" and told him to "suck his d***."

It all went down at a UFC media event in Vegas -- with DC saying that Jon is a fraud ... and hasn't learned a damn thing from all of his issues outside of the Octagon.

Jon took exception and they went off on each other ... insane.

Meet Noelle Foley ... the ridiculously hot daughter of wrestling legend Mick Foley -- who happens to be an aspiring model who says she's down to do Playboy.

The good news for Mick ... Playboy's non-nude these days. Deep breaths, Mick ...

Noelle says she's also into wrestling and says "something is in the works" with WWE.

Noelle was also out in NYC with her longtime boyfriend -- so, we had to ask ... did you actually crap your pants the first time Noelle brought you home to dad???

You gotta watch the clip ... Mick's not just a legend in the ring, he might also be the greatest future father-in-law (no pressure) of all time!

Bret Hart kicked his cancer right in the face -- and has essentially defeated the illness ... so says Bret's good friend and fellow wrestling legend Jim Ross.

Ross appeared on "The Gunz Show" on Idobi / 77 WABC Radio and said he was recently texting with Hart -- who announced last month that he had been battling prostate cancer.

"They removed the cancer by removing his prostate," Ross said ... "His cancer is a non-issue now, thank god."

Ross added, "All issues are resolved and addressed ... so that's the good news about Bret Hart."

Seth Rollins is officially back on the market ... 'cause the WWE superstar and his wrestler girlfriend are down for the count.

Rollins had been dating former WWE wrestler Zahra Schreiber since at least last year -- and stuck by her side after she was fired by WWE in August over anti-Semitic posts on Instagram.

But according to ProWrestlingSheet.com ... the two "quietly broke up last month" -- and she's already moved out their place.

Dave Bautista says Vince McMahon "f**ked" Titus O'Neil by suspending him 60 days for touching the WWE honcho during an incident on "Raw" earlier this month ... and now he's trying to talk Titus into quitting for good.

Bautista was at LAX when he ripped into McMahon for essentially overreacting over the incident -- saying, if anything, Vince should've had a one-on-one conversation instead of hitting Titus with such a harsh punishment.

Now, Bautista -- who left WWE and became a huge movie star -- says Titus should follow his lead ... because he shouldn't have to stand for that crap and can make more money elsewhere.

Still think wrestling is fake?

WWE legend Edge says the damage he sustained from all of those famous ladder matches was VERY REAL -- and says the years falling from crazy heights jacked him up so bad, he had to retire.

Edge was famous for performing in TONS of ladder matches during his career -- and with Daniel Bryan recently retiring due to concussion concerns, we asked if he had similar issues.

But Edge says it wasn't his head that was problem -- "I fell off ladders a lot and that took a toll on the neck."

Edge retired in 2011 and had surgery to put 3 plates in his neck -- but isn't bitter about it. In fact, he's still very involved with the WWE.

Stone Cold Steve Austin does NOT believe the WWE has a CTE problem on its hands -- saying the issues with Daniel Bryan are isolated ... and a direct result of his wrestling style.

Bryan retired from wrestling earlier this week -- citing health concerns (including post-concussion seizures) after suffering at least 10 concussions during his career.

The big question ... will Bryan's issues lead to a sweeping changes in pro wrestling to protect the entertainers?

Stone Cold doesn't think so.