WWE

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross was hospitalized Thursday for mysterious '"stroke-like symptoms" ... but after a few days of extensive testing, doctors were able to pinpoint the source of the legendary announcer's problem.

Ross says he got home from a trip to Vegas Thursday night and wasn't feeling well ... so his wife forced him to go to a nearby hospital in Oklahoma to get checked out.

Doctors ran a battery of tests on the 62-year-old and ultimately determined the symptoms were being caused by meds he had been taking for an unrelated medical issue.

Doctors also informed Ross ... the tests showed he had suffered a minor undiagnosed stroke in the past.

Ross' doctors are confident they fixed the problem -- changed his medication -- and the podcast-host was released from the hospital Saturday evening.

It's the kinda thing that blew up in Dennis Rodman's face -- but WWE Hall of Famer Tony Atlas is throwing his name in the ring for a new wrestling gig ... in North Korea.

The event -- announced Monday -- will be held August in Pyongyang, and although the lineup hasn't been revealed ... Atlas says he'd proudly lace up his boots for a match ... even though he's 70 YEARS OLD!

Tony, aka Mr. USA, sees it as his patriotic duty, telling us ..."If Mr. USA wins his match, the people of North Korea will have freedom from oppression ... and Mr. USA always fights for freedom and righteousness."

We doubt Kim Jong-un sees it that way.

Tony says he's anxious to get a call from event organizer Antonio Inoki ... who fight fans remember for his famous hybrid wrestling/boxing match with Muhammad Ali back in 1976.

They're 5'6" and 125 lbs ... but the WWE's Bella Twins are a helluva lot stronger than they look -- and they've got the numbers to back it up.

TMZ Sports shot Brie (white top) and Nikki (looooow top) out in NYC yesterday when we asked what kind of weight they're pushing around in the gym.

When it comes to deadlifting, Nikki's a beast -- dropping a number that's close to TWICE her own body weight.

It makes sense, considering her BF is John Cena -- who's known for being a beast himself in the gym.

The guy behind the ABC sitcom "The Goldbergs" is a hardcore Ultimate Warrior fan -- which is why he's dedicating an upcoming episode of the show to his childhood hero ... TMZ has learned.

We spoke with creator Adam Goldberg who tells us he was heartbroken when he heard about Warrior's death earlier this month and desperately wanted to pay homage to his idol.

Goldberg says it just so happened his staff was working on an '80s wrestling themed episode -- so it seemed like a perfect fit.

"With the help of fans on Twitter, I was able to get in touch with [Warrior's] family and I'm thrilled to dedicate the May 6th episode to him."

"It's my way of saying thank you for being the coolest hero a kid could ever have."

A WWE referee's thumb was nearly SEVERED from his hand during a bloody incident in Saudi Arabia yesterday ... but it wasn't for stealing a falafel from the market -- he's just a klutz.

Charles Robinson was preparing the ring for a WWE event with other crew members before Friday's show in the Middle East ... when something went terribly wrong and his finger got caught in the turnbuckle.

The result ... a DEEP DEEP GASH that nearly sliced his thumb in half.

Fortunately for the ref, a WWE doc was on standby and managed to quickly stitch him back together again.

But seriously, don't steal falafel in Saudi Arabia ... that hand-cutting thing ain't a myth (proof's on YouTube).

The Ultimate Warrior's wife is finally opening up about the shocking death of her husband -- saying she's heartbroken by his passing ... but says the touching WWE tribute is helping her cope.

Dana A. Warrior just released an emotional letter to her husband's fans ... saying, "It is with an absolutely broken heart I reach out to you."

Dana says she tried to keep her daughters insulated from the news coverage -- but allowed them to watch the WWE tribute on Sunday night.

"As the scene unfolded with that amazing roster of talent gathered donning Ultimate Warrior shirts and even his face paint, we cheered and sobbed simultaneously," Dana wrote.

"To everyone who stood there, thank you. My girls will remember your bowed heads for the rest of their lives."

Dana also touched on the moment Warrior collapsed outside their hotel in Arizona -- saying, "I fought and screamed and cried for him not to leave me, but I wasn't to win this round. Heaven won and I lost."

"But I had the ULTIMATE love for 20 years and my children learned to be Warriors from THE ULTIMATE DAD. I wouldn't trade a moment of the life we shared, good or bad, for anything on God's green earth."

Click here to read the statement in its entirety.

Feel the power of the Ultimate Warrior's trademark rights ... from BEYOND THE GRAVE -- the late wrestler is trying to crush all attempts to make a quick buck off his death.

T-shirts donning Warrior's name and logo popped up all over the Internet last week after he passed ... and now attorneys for Ultimate Creations (Warrior's marketing company) want the imitations scrapped from the net -- citing the wrestler's trademark.

We're told the cease and desist letter -- obtained by TMZ -- has been fired off to more than 100 merchandisers already ... threatening legal action if they don't shut down all sales immediately.

Warrior will also gorilla press slam dead relatives of any knockoff salesmen ... in Heaven.

That's what we imagine, anyway.

The Ultimate Warrior was the most mulleted, most face-painted wrestler to ever step in the squared circle -- so, we're honoring him with a TMZ tribute.

Warning: If you're Arsenio Hall ... don't watch this. Might trigger flashbacks.

The death of the Ultimate Warrior wasn't shocking or unexpected ... it's par for the course with wrestler who abuse their bodies ... so says ESPN host Colin Cowherd.

Cowherd went on his radio show this morning and said pro wrestlers are dying at an alarming rate -- and at a very young age ... and blames it on a culture of drugs and painkillers.

"The story behind the story is ... drugs, painkiller, HGH ... it's the roll of the dice that pro wrestling dudes with limited options not good enough to play pro sports [take]."

Cowherd didn't specifically accuse Warrior of drug abuse -- but said it's something that nearly all wrestlers acknowledge.

Colin went on to compare wrestling to pro baseball -- saying, "You think baseball season is long? There's is double and they don't get 4 at-bats. They're getting batted on all night."

Ultimate Warrior looked like he was on the verge of a medical catastrophe all weekend -- sweaty and stressed, like he was about to "burst at the seams" ... eyewitnesses tell TMZ.

According to sources who were with Warrior this past weekend, the WWE legend looked like he was in constant pain ... sweaty and looked very uncomfortable, like he was choking on his tie. It was apparent to everyone ... something was seriously off.

Another warning sign -- when Warrior did his signature rope shake after his big speech on Monday Night Raw, he looked weak ... and people around him noticed.

One eyewitness put it this way ... "We all felt like he looked like he was going to blow a gasket. It was pretty easy to see."

It makes Warrior's speech on Monday Night Raw even more ominous ... "Every man's heart one day beats its final beat. His lungs breathe a final breath." 24 hours later he was dead.

The Ultimate Warrior "clutched his chest" moments before he collapsed at an Arizona hotel Tuesday afternoon ... this according to law enforcement sources who spoke with witnesses.

TMZ has learned ... Warrior was walking down a hallway at the Gainey Suites Hotel in Scottsdale, AZ and headed toward his car with his wife -- when he stopped, clutched his chest and went down.

We're told Warrior never recovered.

Sources connected to the situation tell us officials believe Warrior suffered a "catastrophic medical event" and so far, we're told there is no evidence to show drugs or alcohol were a factor in his death. All signs point to massive heart attack.

We're told an investigation is underway. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner tells us the autopsy is scheduled for Thursday.

If the Undertaker's crushing loss to Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania XXX only happened because The Dead Man suffered an unscripted concussion ... we smell controversy.

No one wants to bury his WM streak at 21 wins!!

The Ultimate Warrior is dead ... he died suddenly and horrifically, right in front of his wife.

We've learned Warrior collapsed without warning outside an Arizona hotel at 5:50 PM Tuesday ... while walking to his car with his wife.

He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Warrior -- real name James Hellwig -- was a true WWE legend ... and was one of the most iconic wrestlers of all time. He was 54-years-old.

Warrior was just inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame the night before Wrestlemania XXX this weekend ... and this week he made his first appearance on "Monday Night Raw" in years.

Triple H just tweeted, "Saddened to announce the passing of the Ultimate Warrior. Icon and friend. My sympathy to his wife Dana and his daughters."

Stephanie McMahon also tweeted, "#RIPUltimateWarrior Your strength of character is to be admired. There will never be anyone like you. Your spirit lives on in your family."

Hulk Hogan -- Warrior's greatest rival -- has also tweeted, "RIP WARRIOR. only love. HH"

Kevin Nash wrote, "So happy I embraced Warrior with a hug when we saw each other backstage Saturday night.My heart goes out to his family.Always Believe."

Warrior posed for some pics at the airport in New Orleans around 6am Tuesday morning. We're told he was in great spirits and offered to take photos with any fan who approached him.

WWE posted a message on the official website saying, "WWE is shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of the most iconic WWE Superstars ever, The Ultimate Warrior. "

"Warrior began his WWE career in 1987 and quickly went on to become one of the biggest stars in WWE history. Warrior became WWE Champion at WrestleMania VI, defeating Hulk Hogan in an epic encounter. We are grateful that just days ago, Warrior had the opportunity to take his rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame and was also able to appear at WrestleMania 30 and Monday Night Raw to address his legions of fans."

"WWE sends its sincere condolences to Warrior’s family, friends and fans. Warrior was 54 and is survived by his wife Dana and his two daughters."

Story developing ...

The Iron Sheik has joined the grassy knoll lunch club ... claiming The Undertaker's loss at WrestleMania 30 was an off-the-cuff conspiracy triggered by an injury during the match.

It was a shocking loss ... breaking a record 21 wins in a row.

Undertaker suffered a serious concussion during his match against Brock Lesnar. A fringe cell -- including Iron Sheik -- believes Undertaker was supposed to win but after the injury there was a mad scramble to change the plan because Undertaker wasn't physically able to seal the deal.

Stone Cold Steve Austin just touched down in New Orleans to make an appearance Sunday at WrestleMania XXX ... but when it comes to what he'll be doing, the legendary wrestler remains tight-lipped.

Stone Cold hightailed it to N.O.L.A. this morning for the 30th anniversary of WrestleMania -- which airs live on the WWE Network -- but refused to tell a photog at the airport what role he'll play at the event.

Austin hasn't been to Mania in 3 years ... and we're guessing he didn't fly all the way across the country to NOT Stone Cold stun some jabroni.

The only undefeated pro wrestling champ ... when it comes to drinking ... is Andre the Giant -- so says another WWE legend -- Jerry "The King" Lawler.

Before he was announcing, Lawler used to wrestle and hang with the French giant -- and tells us A.T.G. could drink more than anyone he knows ... or YOU know, for that matter.

As Jerry walked out of LAX ... he also revealed the exact amount of beer it took to get 7'4", 500 lb. Andre drunk, and let's just say ... George Lopez would be proud.