WWE

"WWE Tough Enough 3" winner Matt Cappotelli says he's undergoing emergency brain surgery on Thursday after doctors found a "very large tumor" in his brain.

Cappotelli was diagnosed with a tumor in 2005 -- just a couple years after winning a WWE contract in the reality TV competition. His big break was coming ... but surgery forced him into retirement at age 27.

Everything seemed to be going well ... until the tumor returned.

"Waiting to be taken for my MRI and get prepared for my second brain surgery tomorrow," Cappotelli said in a statement Wednesday on his wife's Facebook page.

"Just found out the tumor that I had removed 10 years ago has come back much more aggressively and needs to be dealt with."

"It's a very large tumor and there is a portion that is inoperable."

"The portion that they're hoping to remove will be sent for pathology, which will determine what exactly we are dealing with and provide insight on future treatment plans and the next steps for the inoperable portion in my brain stem #John9:1-3."

Cappotelli was a tough S.O.B. on the reality show -- taking a beating from wrestling legend Bob "Hardcore" Holly ... and still coming back to win the show.

We rooted for him then. Rooting harder now.

LaVar Ball is already making the right impression on his son's new boss -- with Jeanie Buss telling TMZ Sports the Big Baller did a "terrific job" on WWE's 'Monday Night Raw.'

The Lakers owner was leaving Craig's in West Hollywood when she dished out praise for Lonzo Ball and his dad ... and credited Magic Johnson for bringing the family on board.

"I have complete confidence that Magic Johnson has put together the pieces that we need."

She added, "Him and Rob Pelinka, our general manager, have really REALLY re-energized the roster."

The praise continued ... "Our coach, Luke Walton, is a coach that understands the modern NBA and I'm just looking forward to summer league which starts next Monday in Las Vegas!"

We also asked about her ex-boyfriend, Phil Jackson, and his situation in NY -- but Jeanie wasn't havin' it.

WWE star David Otunga says he was so blown away by LaVar Ball's shirtless antics on Monday Night Raw ... he wants to wrestle him ... and he's asking Vince McMahon to make it happen!

We spoke with the Raw commentator about LaVar's wrestling debut ... and Otunga says it was the most entertaining part of the night, even if he went "off the rails."

Otunga hopes Ball gets invited back ... saying he'd dust off his spandex for a shot at LaVar ... if Vince gave him the green light.

Otunga -- who's engaged to Jennifer Hudson -- also talked to us about a movie he made with his son for Father's Day ... and it's safe to say David Jr. takes after his star parents.

LaVar Ball got a major stamp of approval from one of the biggest celebrity WWE super fans on the planet, Wale -- who tells TMZ Sports the Big Baller "f**king killed it" on 'Raw.'

Here's the deal ... Wale is such a huge wrestling fan, he once socked a dude in the FACE at a live event back in 2014. He takes this stuff seriously.

So, with some people tearing LaVar apart for his crazy topless cameo -- the rapper went to bat for the leader of the BBB ... saying he straight-up LOVED IT.

That said ... Wale says LaVar has limits when it comes to his career in the squared circle.

LaVar Ball got really into his appearance at WWE Raw ... seeing how he took off his shirt and flexed for all of America Monday night.

LaVar was facing off against The Miz in the ring, and as soon as the wrestler mentioned he was the Michael Jordan of WWE ... LaVar was up and shouting. Nothing like a little MJ talk to get the Mr. Ball rolling.

At first, he tries to get his son, LaMelo, to handle the situation -- but Miz gets right in his face for some classic trash talk. Then Miz loses his shirt ... and LaVar does the same.

It's official: The WWE is about to get body slammed by the Big Baller family.

LaVar Ball -- rockin' a fresh Triple-B tee -- was photographed backstage with WWE superstar Titus O'Neil at Staples Center ... confirming a ProWrestlingSheet report that Vince McMahon and co. had been recruiting the Ball fam for Monday Night Raw in L.A.

WWE announced that both Lavar and Lonzo would be guests on "Miz TV" ... a bit hosted by WWE intercontinental champ The Miz.

The Balls might not be the only stars in attendance ... there have also been rumors that Stone Cold Steve Austin could make a cameo.

Watch out for the stunner, LaVar!

Post Malone is giving props to Stone Cold Steve Austin for being the inspiration to one of his songs ... and perhaps a shot at getting in the ring himself.

We got Post Sunday outside of the JW Marriott in L.A. and asked if he'd be down to do with Steve what he's doing with A.I. and his song "White Iverson. Sounds like he's all in ... Steve's just gotta make a call.

Then Post starts talking wrestling, and says he'd be down to throw down some suplexes on the mat if the opportunity presented itself. Again ... WWE just needs to pick up the phone.

Wanna see Lil Yachty get his ass kicked?! You might be in luck... 'cause the rapper says he's in talks with WWE to take a major beatdown from wrestling superstars!!

Lil Boat was at LAX when we noticed he was rockin' a Hardy Boyz shirt, so we had to ask if he'd ever take his chances in the squared circle.

As it turns out, the 19-year-old says he's already had a meeting with the wrestling company to make "special appearances" in the ring.

WWE legend Kane has some serious political firepower in his corner -- THE NATURE BOY!!!

Ric Flair just cut a WWE-style promotional video to support his friend Glenn Jacobs -- who's running for mayor of Knoxville County, Tennessee.

Naitch even promises to hit up a local campaign rally on July 12 -- saying, "I will be there live and in color to support my very close friend, Glenn Jacobs."

And you KNOW he ain't cutting a promo without his signature sign-off ...

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Guardians of the Galaxy" star Dave Bautista says he's the "proud son of a lesbian" -- and invites anyone who has a problem with that to "suck my balls."

The ex-WWE superstar has a been a warrior for LGBTQ rights -- and really, equality all around (see his response to the LeBron James vandalism). And when a fan on Twitter thanked him for his support, Drax the Destroyer came with the best response ever.

"Obviously no thnx necessary but I appreciate the acknowledgement. Proud son of a lesbian and anyone who has issue w/ that can suck my balls."

Bautista has talked about his mother before -- most memorably when Manny Pacquiao compared LGBTQ people to animals.

"My mom happens to be a lesbian so I don't f**king take that sh*t," Dave told us last year ... "If anyone called my mother an animal I'd stick my foot in his ass."

X-Pac says he may have to go back to jail ... but this time around, he's ready for it.

12:30 PM PT -- We just spoke with X-Pac -- who's obviously PUMPED about the situation!

The WWE legend reacted to the good news and even gave us on update on his yeast infection.

X-Pac was telling the TRUTH ... officials say the pills he was carrying at LAX tested NEGATIVE for meth -- and now his drug case is essentially over.

We broke the story, X-Pac was arrested at LAX on April 29 after drug dogs found pills in his luggage that officials believed to be meth. He was booked for possession of narcotics with intent to sell.

X-Pac (real name Sean Waltman) denied the allegations and said the pills were a non-meth medicine to treat a yeast infection.

TMZ Sports has obtained official documents showing the L.A. County District Attorney tested the pills which all came back as "no controlled substance."

As for the weed X-Pac was carrying at the time, officials say it was a legal amount in the state of California.

"There may be a federal crime here, but there's no state crime," the D.A. noted. Our law enforcement sources say the case is over.

The WWE is pulling the plug on a big event scheduled to go down in Manchester next month "out of respect for all those affected by the Manchester tragedy."

Ric Flair says there's one way to beat the cowards responsible for the terrible Manchester Attacks ... SHOW UP ... telling TMZ Sports we can't be afraid to go to big events.

As we reported, the WWE is looking into whether a live event scheduled for June 6 at Manchester Arena will still take place ... saying they were consulting with authorities before making the call.

In the wake of the attack, the NBA and law enforcement has ratcheted up security for the NBA Playoffs ... and that's sure to make some fans wonder if the risk is worth leaving the house.

We talked to Flair in NYC, and he very passionately told us fans HAVE TO continue heading out to live events, because we can't let terrorists intimidate us from living our lives ... which is what they want.

WWE is consulting with local officials to determine if an NXT event at Manchester Arena in 2 weeks should be canceled after the terror attack ... WWE tells TMZ Sports.

NXT -- WWE's developmental promotion that has produced huge stars like Finn Balor, Kevin Owens and Seth Rollins -- has a show scheduled for June 6th at the arena.

In light of the attack, WWE is consulting with Manchester officials to determine if they should call off the show.

A rep for WWE tells us, "WWE offers its heartfelt condolences to those affected by this tragedy. We are working with local authorities on the appropriate course of action as it relates to our event scheduled for Tuesday, June 6 at the Manchester Arena."

The Manchester event is part of a weeklong tour across the pond that also includes stops in Leeds and Brighton.

WWE legend X-Pac -- real name Sean Waltman -- is so determined to prove he's not a meth dealer, he took a lie detector test and passed with flying colors ... but there's a catch.

We broke the story, X-Pac was arrested at LAX on April 29 after drug dogs found pills in his luggage that officials believed to meth. He was booked for possession of narcotics with intent to sell.

X-Pac previously claimed the pills were NOT meth, but instead a non-meth medicine used to treat a yeast infection.

To prove his story, X-Pac invited polygraph examiner Rachel Levi to his show, "X-Pac 12360," on Afterbuzz TV to put him through the ringer.

The problem for X-Pac ... the science behind polygraph tests is widely disputed and the results are not admissible in court.