WWE

Former WWE star Terri Runnels will NOT go to prison after she brought a loaded gun to the airport ... TMZ Sports has learned prosecutors have dropped the case and she's now off the hook.

We broke the story, Runnels was busted at Tampa International Airport on May 29 when cops say they found a Glock 9mm handgun inside of a sock in the ex-wrestler's backpack.

In the pic of the gun obtained by TMZ Sports -- you can see there were AT LEAST 11 bullets accompanying the firearm.

But, Runnels told cops the whole thing was a genuine mistake -- saying she had forgotten to take the gun out of her bag after she went to kill an armadillo that was digging up her mom's yard.

Officials at the time clearly didn't care ... they hit her with a felony charge of carrying a concealed firearm -- and she was facing up to 5 YEARS in prison.

But, we've learned prosecutors have decided to drop the case issuing a "letter of release" dismissal.

According to court officials, it basically means the case has been dismissed ... but in theory, prosecutors could pick up the case down the road. But again, we're told the odds of that happening are extremely slim.

Runnels mainly worked as a manager during her wrestling career -- working with the likes of The Hardy Boyz, Edge, Christian and most notably her ex-husband, Goldust.

She was married to Goldust (aka Dustin Rhodes aka Dustin Runnels) from 1993 to 1999.

Runnels won the WWE Hardcore Championship back in 2002 -- she's one of only 4 women to hold that title.

Ric Flair told us he wasn't gonna let his medical scare slow him down ... and he's proving it -- because the WWE legend ordered up a beer this weekend during an outing with his family.

Sporting a shirt with his own face on it (legendary stuff), the 70-year-old strolled into Hamilton's On Magnolia in Alabama (right near Auburn) flanked by his wife, Wendy Barlow.

Inside the restaurant, Flair was all smiles ... toasting his wife with a pint of beer.

Yeah, sippin' on brew may not be exactly what the doctor recommends just one month after undergoing heart surgery ... but Flair has told us he wants to live life to the fullest while he's still here on earth.

As we previously reported, Flair had a procedure to change up his pacemaker after a medical emergency in May.

When we spoke with Ric on the "TMZ Sports" TV show earlier this month, he told us he plans on living another 25 years ... AT LEAST!

UFC champ Daniel Cormier is keeping it all the way real when talking about Brock Lesnar -- telling TMZ Sports he's genuinely "disappointed" the guy pulled out of fight negotiations.

"I wanted to fight Brock," DC tells us ... "but you can only really worry about things that you can control. I can't control that he doesn't want to fight anymore. He's done."

Cormier says he appreciates the UFC and Lesnar for trying to make a deal -- but at the end of the day, Daniel thinks the WWE offered Lesnar too much money to stay out of the Octagon.

"I just think the WWE gave him such a great deal, they really always take care of this guy."

"Ultimately, you get paid that much money to go and wrestle as opposed to fighting me? There's no predetermined outcome there. I'm gonna try to kick your ass. So, I think he made the smart decision."

Cormier says he was friends with Lesnar before the fight talks began in July 2018 -- and says now that Brock's not a potential opponent anymore, they can go back to texting and talking on the phone.

"Maybe I can start going to watch him wrestle and do all that other stuff again."

Nikki Bella says she's incredibly grateful the cyst doctors found on her brain is benign -- but going through the process was "super scary."

The WWE superstar first revealed her medical issue this week on "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon" -- but she didn't really open up about the situation ... until now.

"They found a cyst on my brain, which thank god, it's benign," Nikki tells TMZ Sports ... noting, "I'm so grateful for my health."

Nikki says the diagnosis -- along with her neck injury -- will most likely keep her out of the WWE ring forever ... but she believes in miracles and hopes one day she can return to wrestling.

"You never know ... we'll see what the man upstairs has in store for me."

In the meantime, Nikki says she will monitor the tumor for the rest of her life "because you never know how it can change."

WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry did a pretty cool thing on Sunday -- organizing an event in his hometown of Austin, Texas to give haircuts and shaves to people in need.

Henry says he didn't just want to hand out cash and call it a day -- his focus was put boots on the ground and do something for the people that would really make a difference in their lives.

So, after talking with local organizations, he decided to spearhead a shave and haircut event -- because a lot of homeless people had been telling him the way they look can be a tough hurdle to overcome when trying to find a job.

Mark connected with the people from the Austin Area Urban League and the Maestro's Classic beard care company to set up the event ... where they offered free shaves, haircuts, food and water to anyone who needed the help.

Henry says he learned A LOT while talking with the people who came through his event -- especially when it comes to the way homeless people are treated by the rest of society.

"People don't acknowledge them. They treat them like they're invisible. 9 times out of 10 people just look at them and don't talk to them. That's gotta be a horrible existence."

Mark says he was so moved by the experience, he's already planning more events in cities across the country.

"I got a lot of joy out of seeing people smile and feel good about how they looked, it meant a lot to them," Henry says.

Pro wrestling superstar Jon Moxley -- formally known as Dean Ambrose -- is hours away from making his return to the U.S. indie circuit ... and the dude is FIRED UP!!

"I feel like I'm 18 again," Moxley tells TMZ Sports ... "I'm just so excited, just chomping at the bit to get back in the ring!"

Moxley was a HUGE star for years with WWE -- a former world champion who was 1/3 of The Shield, along with Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins.

But, his WWE contract expired earlier this year -- so he decided to pursue other options using the "Jon Moxley" moniker he created before his WWE days.

Moxley recently wrestled for New Japan Pro-Wrestling -- his first post-WWE match -- and crushed it. And now, he's taking his talents back to the U.S. where he has an event Friday night for Northeast Wrestling in Connecticut.

"I'm so excited ... I could wrestle 'til I'm 100 ... stem cell research, you never know!"

Next up for Moxley is a match against Joey Janela at AEW's Fyter Fest later this month. And after that, it's Kenny Omega at AEW's massive All Out event in August.

Check out the video ... Moxley thanks his fans for sticking with him through his wrestling journey -- vows to put on great shows.

Welp, the pro wrestling stars whose in-ring engagement went viral -- racking up millions of views -- are now getting DIVORCED ... a little more than 3 years after the famous proposal.

Joey Ryan -- aka Joseph Ryan Meehan -- bent the knee and popped the question to Laura James back in February 2016 ... right in the middle of their Finest City Wrestling match in San Diego.

James -- shocked by the moment -- said yes ... and the two were all set to live happily ever after outside of the squared circle.

But, according court docs obtained by TMZ Sports, the couple separated just 11 months after getting married in November 2017 ... and officially filed for divorce Tuesday.

James stated in the docs that the two are callin' it quits because of "irreconcilable differences."

The two are pretty famous in the wrestling world ... Joey Ryan has had matches in the WWE and is well known for his penis finishing move (for real, watch the clip).

As for James ... she's been a star in Lucha VaVOOM and Global Force Wrestling matches for several years.

John Cena's days in the WWE ring could be numbered ... with the superstar admitting he's been recently giving serious thought about hanging up his trunks for good.

The WWE legend was out in New York when he was asked by Adam Glyn about the disastrous match between The Undertaker and Bill Goldberg at Super Showdown on Friday in Saudi Arabia.

Goldberg suffered a nasty head wound during the match -- and both wrestlers are being criticized for a sloppy and dangerous performance. Some are calling for both wrestlers to retire.

Cena says when it comes to calling it a career, it's up to the individual and it's not his place to advise either wrestler.

However, Cena admits retirement is something he's been thinking about lately ... especially now that he's 42-years-old.

The difference between Cena and other wrestlers... Cena is in the middle of a booming movie career.

In fact, it was just announced he'll be joining the Fast and Furious franchise -- and Cena raved about how grateful he is to have the opportunity.

"I'm very grateful to Vin Diesel for certainly orchestrating it all and making it happen," Cena says.

Brock Lesnar's career in the UFC is over ... for good ... so says Dana White who tells TMZ Sports, "He's done. He's made his decision."

Of course, White has previously said he was hoping to book Brock for a super fight with heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier ... but the two sides just couldn't get a deal done.

Now, White says Lesnar has chosen to focus on his career with the WWE -- and Dana says he respects Brock's decision.

"I know he was looking into doing a new deal with [Vince McMahon] to stay with the WWE."

Dana says he's "always had a good relationship with Brock, we've always dealt really well with each other" ... but the bottom line is Lesnar isn't "100% in" on fighting anymore.

"You have to be ALL IN on fighting and if you're not all in, then you shouldn't fight," Dana says.

"He made the decision and it's the right decision."

We also spoke with Dana about rising UFC superstar Johnny Walker, who's recovering from a shoulder injury ... but already hoping for a fight with Jon Jones.

"That guy is a freak of nature," White said ... "I can see this guy being a world champion someday. I can't wait for him to come back."

WWE superstar Kofi Kingston is back from Ghana ... and he LOVED IT!!!!!

You gotta watch this clip ... Kofi says returning to his home country after winning the WWE championship was one of the greatest experiences of his life -- and you can feel his energy through the clip.

Remember, Kingston hadn't been back to Ghana since 1994 (when he moved to the U.S.) -- but he was greeted like a ROCK STAR when he touched down last week at Kotoka International Airport.

Kingston says he met with the President, got to talk with kids, help out women in need and visit his Ghanaian fans -- and it was more incredible than he ever could have imagined.

After the trip, Kofi says he's more motivated than ever to use his celebrity platform to help people and spread good will all over the world.

And, get this ... Kofi says he was blown away by the popularity of WWE in Ghana -- and says he didn't fully understand the global reach of pro wrestling until he landed in Africa.

Pretty great stuff!

Ric Flair's wife is helping him recover from his recent medical emergency ... by throwing on a bikini and hitting the beach!!!

The Nature Boy showed love for his better half, Wendy Barlow, with a pic of her chillin' in the sand on Tuesday ... saying "If For Nothing Else, I Have This To Live For....What A Healing Process!"

Flair -- who says it's a miracle he's alive -- credits his wife for being by his side while he was hospitalized for a week earlier this month ... and said he's never gonna slow down because "I got a wife that wants a 35-year-old man every day of her life."

Barlow -- who posted a mirror selfie of her own -- thanked her daughter in law, Charlotte, for putting her on a meal plan and WWE legend Torrie Wilson's workouts for keeping her in amazing shape.

Mick Foley says he'll come to your door and watch wrestling with you IN PERSON ... saying all it'll take for him to do that is a donation to Ashley Massaro's daughter's educational fund.

The wrestling legend appeared on "TMZ Live" on Tuesday and told the guys for a $5,000 check, he's willing to travel ANYWHERE in the United States or Canada to hang out with fans.

And, for a $10,000 donation, he says he'll even fly overseas!!!

"You get three hours of my time," Mick says ... "We can do whatever you want. I can do your yard work if you'd like."

Massaro tragically died last month in an apparent suicide ... and Foley has been one of the ring leaders of a charity project aimed at helping her daughter, Alexa, save up for college.

So far, their GoFundMe page has raised over $45,000 ... and Mick says the ultimate goal is $100K.

"Ashley was a really good friend and somebody I thought the world of," Mick says ... "And, I wish I had been there a little bit more for her when she was having trouble."

Ric Flair is finally detailing the specifics of his recent health scare ... telling TMZ Sports he underwent surgery to receive a pacemaker -- and now plans to live 25 more years!!!

Now that Naitch is back home and feeling great ... he joined the guys on "TMZ Sports" TV show and reflected on his week in the hospital.

Ric says he went in to fix an issue with his heart ... and tells us he's confident the doctors fixed him just right -- hooking him up with a new pacemaker.

"This is the 4th time I've been in in 7 weeks," Flairs tells us ... "They finally figured out what type of pacemaker to put on me. Which I found out just how important the operation of your heart is. Ya can't breathe if your hearts not working."

In fact ... Naitch says they even were able to get rid of a blood clot he didn't know he had.

"I stayed for 48 hours [after surgery] just to make sure because we've been trying everything," Ric said, showing off his brand-new heart surgery scar.

"We finally got behind it and I think I'm good to go."

Ric says he's so confident everything was fixed in the procedure ... he told the guys he's planning on living for the next quarter of a century!!!

"I feel great. The prognosis is I could live to be 95."

There's more ... Ric also told us about all his super famous friends who reached out to him during his hospital stint ... and described how much it meant to him to hear from his buddies.

Flair says guys like Hulk Hogan, Charles Barkley, Bruce Smith and Darius Rucker all reached out.

Even Offset hit him on the video chat, with Ric saying, "He FaceTime'd me in the hospital. Then he sent out this ridiculous Tweet, 'my friend isn't dead!'"

Ric Flair is praising the doctors who "brought me back again" -- saying it's a "miracle" he survived a terrifying medical scare earlier this month ... and he's got the $1.8 MIL bill to show for it.

In his first video since leaving the hospital last week, the 70-year-old apologized for not speaking out sooner ... but says his vocal cords have been sore from having a tube down his throat.

But, it didn't take long for Flair to start screaming and "woooing" again while explaining how he almost DIED for the second time in just 2 years.

As we previously reported, Flair was rushed to the hospital on May 16 after suffering a "very serious" medical emergency. He underwent surgery and was released a week later.

Flair says his treatment was a "$1.8 million tune" ... and said, "Thank god for insurance."

"I'm living here to tell you the kiss stealin', wheelin' dealin', limousine riding, jet flyin' son of a gun is not gonna change, slow down, I'm moving forward!!"

Naitch says a bunch of his famous friends checked in on him during his hospitalization -- from Triple H to Charles Barkley to Hulk Hogan to Offset.

But, Flair also CALLED OUT a bunch of his so-called friends who DIDN'T call. While he didn't name names, it's obvious he's really pissed at those people.

Doctors told Flair he needs to "grow up" and treat his body better -- but Flair says HELL NO ... he's gonna continue to push the limits and booze and party until his dying breath.

"I'm never gonna get old. I got a wife that wants a 35-year-old man every day of her life."

"I don't care how many doctors tell me, 'you gotta learn to grow up' ...I'm not gonna act like my age, don't ever tell me that!! I'm paying you to make me better so I can be me. That's me and that's all i'm ever gonna be ... good or bad."

"I'm up, I'm well, and I'm just starting to tell my story."

Ex-WWE stars Big Cass and Enzo knew Ric Flair would come through after his medical emergency earlier this month ... telling TMZ Sports Ric is too much of an "indestructible" beast to die!!!

"He is immortal," Enzo says.

We broke the story ... Ric was rushed to the hospital on May 16 after the 70-year-old legend suffered a "very serious" health scare.

But, Flair -- as always -- was able to pull through ... and he even wore a t-shirt with his mug on it as he exited the hospital!!!

When we got the pro wrestling stars out in NYC earlier this week ... they weren't surprised one bit to see Flair make it out alive!!

In fact, the two joked they expect to see Ric in the squared circle again next week!!!!

"He'll be on Mania next year, watch," Big Cass says.

For his part ... Flair says he's back at home resting, saying, "I Will Be Back Up And WOOOOOing In No Time!"

1:55 PM PT -- Runnels claims she was carrying the loaded gun because she had just been called to her mother's house to deal with an armadillo that was digging up the yard ... this according to the police report obtained by TMZ Sports.

Runnels told cops she simply forgot she had the gun on her when she went to the airport ... chalking the whole thing up to a genuine mistake.

Cops say the loaded weapon was inside of a sock located in Runnels' backpack.

10:40 AM PT -- TMZ Sports has obtained a photo of the gun Terri was allegedly carrying at the airport -- a Glock 9mm handgun ... and officials say it was LOADED.

We count at least 11 bullets -- which appear to be hollow-tipped, which tend to cause more soft tissue damage upon impact with a target. In other words, it's a more lethal round.

Ex-WWE superstar Terri Runnels -- who was famously married to Goldust (aka Dustin Rhodes) back in the day -- was arrested in Florida on Wednesday after officials say she brought a gun to the airport.

TMZ Sports has confirmed ... 52-year-old Runnels was arrested by the Tampa International Airport Police at 7:32 AM for "carrying a concealed firearm," a class 3 felony.

We're told she was arrested at a security checkpoint with a loaded Glock 9mm.

The charge carries a punishment of up to 5 years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines.

She was taken to jail and bond was set at $2,000. Records show she's still locked up as of this post.

According to her booking sheet, Runnels is listed at 5'0", 119 pounds with blue eyes and blonde hair.

Runnels mainly worked as a manager during her wrestling career -- working with the likes of The Hardy Boyz, Edge, Christian and most notably her ex-husband, Goldust.

She was married to Goldust (aka Dustin Rhodes aka Dustin Runnels) from 1993 to 1999.

Runnels won the WWE Hardcore Championship back in 2002 -- she's one of only 4 women to hold that title.

Runnels last appeared at a WWE event in January 2018 as part of the WWE Raw 25 Year special.

Story developing ...