WWE

Linda McMahon is stepping down from her position in President Trump's cabinet ... but she won't be far from POTUS for long.

Trump announced the former WWE CEO is resigning as the head of the Small Business Administration at Mar-a-Lago on Friday .... saying "She has been one of our all-time favorites."

"I knew she was good, but I didn't know she was that good."

Although McMahon is stepping down, she's not leavin' Trump -- she's putting her focus on his reelection.

"She'll be leaving, she's going to go and help us with a very, very important year-and-a-half that we have coming up," Trump told reporters.

McMahon is an original member of Trump's cabinet -- she was confirmed back in February 2017.

We spoke with WWE legend Kurt Angle prior to McMahon taking the job ... and he said she's a "genius," adding, "If you doubt Linda McMahon, you'd have to be literally crazy."

No word on who will be Linda's replacement ... but Trump says she'll be part of the process.

Not every WWE superstar is pissed about Gronk potentially joining the organization ... 'cause Bray Wyatt would welcome the newly retired NFLer with open arms!!

Becky Lynch just shaded the hell outta Rob Gronkowski earlier this week ... telling TMZ Sports it's bogus people like him or Ronda Rousey can just stroll into pro wrestling without having to work for their chance.

Wyatt ain't about that talk ... 'cause he says he LOVES the ex-Pats tight end ... and would jump on the opportunity to beat him up in the squared circle.

"I'd love to have Rob here ... he's a cool cat." Wyatt says.

There's also some history between the two ... Wyatt says his dad was roommates with Gronk's dad at Syracuse when they played on the football team, so they're very familiar.

Wyatt was at LAX with JoJo Offerman -- their first public appearance since announcing they're expecting a baby in June -- so we had to ask if baby Knash will follow in their wrestling footsteps.

"Wouldn't that be nice to never have done anything in wrestling and just go into Wrestlemania? I would love that"

That's WWE superstar Becky Lynch throwing some shade at Rob Gronkowski in the wake of rumors the NFL star could make the jump to pro wrestling.

Remember, Gronk made a cameo at Wrestlemania 33 in 2017 to help out his good pal Mojo Rawley -- and now that Rob's retired from the NFL, there's buzz he's close to signing with Vince McMahon.

In fact, WWE superstar Lio Rush already called out Gronk on 'Monday Night Raw' this week -- and on Tuesday, Gronk appeared at a WWE charity event.

Plus, Rawley told TMZ Sports he's VERY confident Gronk will return to the ring in some capacity in the very near future.

So, we asked Lynch how she felt about sharing the stage with the future NFL Hall of Famer -- and she wasn't exactly stoked about the possibility.

"Some of us almost get fired and have to work our way and scratch and claw, and then we come to the main event," Lynch said.

"Other people are like here you go, here's your debut match at Wrestlemania ... see you at Wrestlemania."

Translation -- Becky has an issue with the fact Rob could take the Ronda Rousey route into WWE superstardom ... and Becky HATES Ronda Rousey.

So, is this all a work? Is it how she truly feels?

John Cena is back on the dating scene ... hanging with a mystery hottie in Canada and, apparently, putting his ex-fiancee Nikki Bella firmly in the rearview.

We got this shot of the WWE superstar out on the town with an unknown -- for now -- brunette in Vancouver, and they're clearly having a great time together. Not only were they cozied up, arm-in-arm together ... but the photo agency that spotted them says they enjoyed a 4-hour dinner date!!!

This was their post-meal stroll ... and a pretty romantic one at that.

John's in Vancouver filming a new project, "Playing With Fire." The timing of his new playmate's debut is interesting. We've been seeing Nikki in California hanging with her new bae, dancer Artem Chigvinsev.

We broke the story ... Nikki says she's NEVER getting back with John, and based on this pic ... he seems to be just fine with that.

WWE superstar Jimmy Uso just caught a HUGE break in his disorderly conduct case -- he's essentially off the hook after allegedly squaring up to fight a police officer.

As we previously reported, Uso and his WWE superstar wife, Naomi, were pulled over in downtown Detroit on Feb. 13 after cops say Naomi was driving the wrong way down a 1-way street.

Cops say Naomi reeked of booze so they ordered her out of the car -- but Jimmy was allegedly trying to restrain her and prevent her from leaving.

Eventually, Naomi got out ... and Jimmy followed -- with cops saying the wrestler eventually took off his shirt and jacket and squared up as if he was about to fight.

Jimmy was eventually arrested and booked for disorderly conduct and obstruction of justice.

But, we've learned Uso and his attorney, John Freeman, struck a deal with prosecutors in which he agreed to plead no contest to interfering with a govt. employee -- and in exchange, he was ordered to pay $450 in fines.

That's it. Case closed.

It's a big deal considering Uso was facing jail time if convicted of disorderly conduct.

As for Naomi, she was neither arrested that night nor charged with a crime.

Jimmy Uso is a big deal in the pro wrestling world -- his father is WWE legend Rikishi and his cousins are The Rock and Roman Reigns.

11:59 AM PT -- We just got Congressman Joseph Kennedy III -- whose family STARTED the Special Olympics -- and he echos Big Show's feelings on DeVos' proposed budget cuts.

"It's a terrible idea. It's a horrible policy ... it's never gonna happen," Rep. Kennedy told us out in D.C.

"And, I don't know why this administration continues to try to pick the fight with some of the most vulnerable people in our country."

Kennedy adds, "In our country, everybody is supposed to count."

WWE superstar Big Show is a Special Olympics ambassador -- and to say he's pissed at Betsy DeVos for trying to cut ALL govt. funding for the games is a TREMENDOUS understatement.

"She's like Cruella De Vil," Big Show tells TMZ Sports ... "I'm appalled."

DeVos -- the U.S. Secretary of Education -- has proposed major budget cuts for the upcoming fiscal year ... including axing ALL of the roughly $18 million the government has allocated for Special Olympics.

"This is like the most ridiculous budget cut, one-sided bullsh*t that could ever be done," Big Show says.

"The message she's sending is that people with special needs, children with special needs, aren't important enough to be part of society."

Big Show says he's worked with tons of special needs athletes and their families, and knows firsthand how the Special Olympics can positively affect so many lives.

"It's not about kids running and competing for medals," Big Show says ... "It's not like that."

"These kids are seen by doctors. There are so many education things, group programs, things that help them improve their quality of life ... and to take away that opportunity, it's just a horrible, callous, insensitive decision."

Rob Gronkowski already has enemies in WWE -- with one of the wrestling superstars CALLING OUT the NFL legend as a hot piece of garbage on "Monday Night Raw."

Remember, Gronk is NOT a WWE wrestler -- at least not yet -- though his best friend, Mojo Rawley, is trying to convince the tight end to make the switch from the gridiron to the ring.

Which brings us to 'Raw' where Lio Rush and Bobby Lashley were talking trash to Finn Balor -- when Lio dragged Rob's name into his rant.

"Now you are gonna be forced to leave the game as a beaten, broken, hot piece of garbage like Rob Gronkowski," Lio told Finn.

The crowd in Boston was triggered and BOOED Lio -- who wore a devious smirk on his face ... almost like he knew exactly what he was doing!

Of course, Gronk is a big wrestling fan and even made a cameo at Wrestlemania 33 in 2017 -- and there's a buzz he could make pro wrestling his next full-time gig.

Nikki Bella is NOT leaving the WWE on bad terms -- it's the opposite -- with sources telling us she still has a GREAT working relationship with the company and is DEFINITELY open to returning to the ring.

35-year-old Bella just announced she's hanging up her wrestling boots after 12 years with Vince McMahon's promotion -- mostly because of the wear and tear on her body ... and also to pursue other business ventures.

But, sources close to Nikki tell us ... she still loves wrestling, still loves the WWE and would be down to make cameos in the future -- as long as the timing is right.

In fact, we're told Nikki will remain a WWE ambassador even though she won't be wrestling full-time. Also, she plans on continuing her reality show, "Total Bellas," which is produced by WWE.

As we previously reported, Nikki made her retirement decision after a recent trip overseas that was particularly rough on her body. She just can't handle the constant punishment a full-time wrestler endures.

Nikki had neck surgery 3 years ago stemming from a wrestling injury, and she's been battling neck pain ever since.

Bella has said she plans to focus on growing her businesses -- which includes a podcast, activewear line, beauty products and even a wine label.

Rob Gronkowski is no longer "shackled" by the NFL and the New England Patriots -- and that means we could see him RUN WILD in the WWE very soon ... so says his good friend, Mojo Rawley.

Everyone knows Gronk LOVES pro wrestling -- remember he made a cameo with Mojo at Wrestlemania 33 in 2017 -- and people are speculating he could become a WWE superstar now that his NFL career is over.

We spoke with Mojo, who says he wouldn't be shocked if Gronk turned his focus to the ring ... and predicts it's only a matter of time.

The best part of this clip ... Mojo strongly suggests the NFL and the Patriots pressured Rob into toning down his public persona to make sure he stayed out of trouble.

But now, "without the shackles" ... Gronk is a "whole 'nother beast" and Mojo says he can't wait to see Rob UNLEASHED!!

"Yo, let's go, baby," Mojo says in a video message for his pal ... "It's time to turn up! The handcuffs are off!"

"You don't have the Patriots and the NFL locking you down anymore! If you thought Gronk was wild before, I'm telling you, wait 'til you see him without the shackles on!!!"

There are rumors Gronk could crash 'Raw' tonight -- which happens to be in Boston.

Forget Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga ... here are two WWE superstars performing the smash hit "Shallow" IN THE WRESTLING RING -- and it's pretty amazing!!

The guy with the guitar is Elias -- who's a pretty talented musician when he's not bodyslamming people.

Dude teamed up with Finn Balor at a WWE live event over the weekend where they put on a musical show for the crowd ... and they loved it!!

Elias took the Bradley Cooper part of the song from "A Star Is Born." He sounded great.

Finn, on the other hand, is no Lady Gaga. Good effort though!

Of course, Bradley and Gaga's version of "Shallow" won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 2019 Oscars ... where the movie stars performed the song live.

It's been covered by a TON of people since the movie came out ... from Alicia Keys to Kelly Clarkson.

It's a wrap for Nikki Bella in the WWE ... the former champ says she's closing the book on her wrestling career -- claiming her body just can't handle the punishment anymore.

Bella said she realized she needed to retire after returning from a recent tour of Europe -- saying, "[The tour] was good but I just feel like I'm too old for that travel."

"The travel was really, really rough," Bella said on her reality show, "Total Bellas" ... "So, I realized, I was like, why am I doing this? I don't feel good."

Nikki said she feels the women at WWE are doing amazing things and she doesn't feel she needs to keep wrestling ... explaining, "I really am ready to hang up the jersey, like I can say it fully."

Nikki's sister, Brie -- who announced her retirement on a "Total Bellas" episode earlier this month -- gave her full support to Nikki, saying she can hang her WWE jersey "right next to mine."

35-year-old Nikki explained her body just doesn't feel great anymore -- and she wants to turn her focus on other business endeavors ... including her fashion brand.

"Here's to closing one chapter and the next one opening."

Bella is a sure-fire WWE Hall of Famer -- she is a 2-time WWE Divas champion and one of the most popular women in the history of the company.

Ronda Rousey giving a big middle finger to her employer is exactly what she shoulda done ... so says The Miz, who tells TMZ Sports her anti-wrestling rant was MONEY.

Rousey went scorched earth on WWE in a "non-scripted" tirade earlier this month ... saying "Wrestling is scripted. It’s made up. It’s not real. None of those bitches can f*cking touch me. The end.”

She also went off on fans, her coworkers, people from Ohio ... basically anyone she could think of, Ronda put in a metaphorical body bag.

The whole rant was crazy ... and some people think Ronda went TOO far ... but The Miz says it was perfect.

"She's making noise, she's making headlines and you're talking about her, so everything's working about it," The Miz says ... adding that it's great hype leading into the year's biggest event.

"It's WrestleMania season. You do whatever you have to do to get people watching ... right now, she's doing exactly that."

The Miz says all signs point to Ronda being part of the main event at WrestleMania 35 ... and the rant certainly helped generate buzz.

It finally happened ... Ronda Rousey's MMA star husband is beating people up in WWE now too!

Ex-UFC heavyweight Travis Browne was sitting ringside at 'Raw' on Monday night where Ronda was battling Dana Brooke, who's dating NBA star Enes Kanter.

There have been rumblings for a while that Browne would get involved with WWE in some capacity -- and Monday night, it finally happened ... when he got out of his seat and threw a haymaker at a security guard who was trying to restrain Rousey.

Browne pulled Rousey into the crowd and personally escorted her into the tunnel -- it's the first time he's been featured as a relevant player in a WWE match.

Could this mean a bigger role for Browne in the future? Maybe an in-ring debut?

It's possible. In fact, Browne has previously told TMZ Sports he's all the way down to become a pro wrestler ... saying he'd "love to go out there and work with my wife."

Browne is 6'7" and 255 pounds -- he's a BEAST -- and Vince McMahon knows a golden opportunity when he sees one.

Nikki Bella is now PDA official with her "Dancing with the Stars" partner, Artem Chigvintsev -- seemingly closing the door on a possible John Cena reconciliation.

The former WWE Divas champ was spotted at a romantic lunch with Chigvintsev at Joan's on Third in L.A. over the weekend ... where they held hands, strolled arm in arm and sucked a little face.

Nikki and Artem have been dating for a couple of weeks now after meeting on the set of 'DWTS' -- and it seems like the relationship is taking off.

We previously reported the two were spotted at a flirtatious day date in Bev Hills earlier this month ... but it's clearly evolved.

As for Cena, we're told Nikki and John are on good terms after splitting up last summer. They still talk every now and then ... but Nikki's clearly moving on.

Unclear how Cena feels about Nikki's new dude -- but one thing's for sure ... if they ever wind up in a dance battle, DON'T COUNT CENA OUT!!!

Check out this video of Cena getting funky during a workout session with The Rock ... he's no Derek Hough, but it's not terrible!

GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY ... Jim Ross is leaving WWE.

The 67-year-old legend made the announcement on "The Jim Ross Report" podcast on Thursday -- explaining he'll be leaving the company later this month when his contract expires.

"My WWE contract after 26 years will expire on Friday, March 29," Ross said.

"And, after talking a couple of weeks ago with Vince McMahon, we have mutually agreed I need to move on."

While noting the move is on good terms, Ross suggested powerful people in the organization clearly wanted him out.

"I still think I can do play-by-play even though others that may surround Vince think I can't."

Ross says he's leaving the company "with great thoughts, very positive."

"I've made a lot of money, Vince is amazing to Jan and myself. He set us up for life financially, of which I can never repay him."

"I'm 67, I still feel I can get the job done doing wrestling play-by-play, and I want to explore that opportunity and possibility," Ross said.

So, what's next for Ross? There are rumblings he will sign with the new AEW wrestling organization -- but nothing is official at this point.

Ross has been calling matches for WWE since the early '90s and has been part of the company's biggest moments.

After calling The Undertaker's match at WrestleMania 33 in 2017, he signed a 2-year contract to call special events for WWE. The last time he was on-air was back in April to work the Greatest Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia.

Pro wrestling legend King Kong Bundy -- who famously battled Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania 2 -- has died, WWE confirms. He was 61.

Details surrounding Bundy's death are unclear. We're working on it.

Bundy was a monster in the ring -- billed at 6'4", 458 pounds -- he mauled opponents and usually made the refs count to 5 instead of 3 ... just to prove his dominance.

He made his WWF debut in 1985 -- while managed by the "Mouth of the South," Jimmy Hart. He became so popular, so fast, Vince McMahon smartly booked him to take on Hulk Hogan in a steel cage match at Wrestlemania 2 in 1986.

Bundy lost the match, but became an even BIGGER star. In fact, he booked national commercials and even had cameos on huge shows like "Married with Children," "Weird Science" and "Boy Meets World."

Bundy left WWE (then WWF) in the late '80s ... but returned in 1994 as part of The Million Dollar Corporation and picked up right where he left off, destroying people.

The wrestling world is already paying tribute to Bundy -- real name, Christopher Pallies.

Hulk Hogan issued a statement saying, "Overwhelmed by King Kong Bundy’s passing, only great memories,R.I.P. big man until we meet again."

Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake tweeted, "OMG can’t hardly believe my friend Chris Pallies aka King Kong Bundy has passed away."

"Very sad news he was a kind soul. Rest In Peace Brother until we meet again."

Mick Foley said, "Hate to hear about the passing of King Kong Bundy. He was so cool to me when I walked in that @WWE dressing room as an absolute nobody in 1986."

Story developing ...