WWE

Rob Gronkowski didn't just host WrestleMania 36, HE WON A CHAMPIONSHIP BELT!!!

The ex-NFL star dropped the mic and took out his homeboy, Mojo Rawley, on Sunday night to win the coveted 24/7 championship belt ... and man, was he PUMPED!!

FYI, the 24/7 title is ALWAYS on the line -- the titleholder can be pinned by ANYONE, any time, any place. And, if a ref busts out a 3 count, it's over!

So, during Sunday's Part 2 of Mania from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando ... Gronk saw an opportunity and pounced.

Mojo had only won the title on Saturday after pinning R-Truth in a sneak attack during Part 1.

And, while he was trying to run away from challengers on Sunday, Gronk decided to jump off of a perch and crushed several wrestlers ion the process ... knocking Mojo out cold and getting the pin!!!

Wasn't this dude supposed to have a bad back?!!

So, hail to the new victor, WWE CHAMPION ROB GRONKOWSKI!!!

WWE legend Mark Henry believes WrestleMania 36 will be the most-watched U.S. sporting event EVER ... telling TMZ Sports the 2-night show could get 200 MILLION VIEWERS!!!

"What can WrestleMania do, two days?! Livestreaming and watching a network?! That could be 200 MILLION people watching," Henry says.

Let that sink in.

To compare, the most-watched Super Bowl is XLIX, which reportedly attracted 114 million. The only other U.S. TV event to beat that was the moon landing with an estimated 125-150 million tuning in.

Of course, there have been major changes to this year's WrestleMania due to the coronavirus pandemic ... with Vince McMahon's org. electing to keep fans home and splitting the Rob Gronkowski-hosted event into 2 nights.

We spoke with Henry about the different approach this year ... and he thinks this could be a monumental moment in sports history.

"I think 20 years from now, we'll talk about this moment in history and it will be like 'hey man, the only thing that was on television during that time was pro wrestling,'" Henry tells us.

Henry points out the massively successful IG Live DJ set by D-Nice that helped people from Drake to Michelle Obama to Rihanna pass the time in quarantine ... and thinks WrestleMania can fill a similar void for people in desperate need of sports content.

FYI -- the most-watched WrestleMania is 33 ... which was reportedly seen by 1.95 million people. So yeah, Henry thinks this will SHATTER that record.

Remember, he says this year could get 200 MILLION.

WWE superstar Becky Lynch really is "The Man" -- because when she found out an 11-year-old superfan with autism was bummed about not being able to go to WrestleMania, she made a special video just for him!

Yeah, might wanna get that tissue box ...

Here's the backstory ... WWE legend Mick Foley met 11-year-old Branden a few months ago at a barbershop in Florida and they bonded over their love of pro wrestling.

In fact, Branden was all set to attend WrestleMania 36 in Tampa to watch his favorite wrestler, Becky Lynch ... but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fans are no longer allowed at the event.

Mick tells TMZ Sports ... he was trying to think of ways to lift Branden's spirits -- so he reached out to Becky to see if she would send him an uplifting video message.

AND, BOY, DID SHE DELIVER!!!

"Hi Branden it is ‘The Man’ Becky Lynch," she said ... "I hear that you’re a huge fan and I want to thank you for all of your support!"

Ya gotta watch the video -- not only does Becky say she's dedicating the match to him, but she adds, "I'll make you proud!"

We also got video of Branden's reaction when his parents played him the video -- amazing stuff!

Of course, gotta give a HUUUUGE shout out to Mick Foley for making it happen -- the WWE Hall of Famer has been on a mission to spread joy and cheer ever since the pandemic began.

Foley says his goal is to make 1,000 FREE videos to send out to fans all around the world because he knows it will make people smile.

Rob Gronkowski and his SI Swimsuit cover model GF Camille Kostek have taken things to the next level -- they're music video superstars!!

It's all for Kygo's new video, "I'll Wait" ... and it'll make you feel all warm inside.

Gronk and Camille offered up never before seen footage of their romantic vacations, shirtless breakfasts for the video ... it even features footage shot right after the Patriots tight end won the Super Bowl.

In true Gromille fashion ... there's a TON of dancing because as Camille says ... they're never not dancing.

As for the song, it's pretty serious stuff with lyrics like "I'll wait forever, that's what we said. 16th of September, lying in my bed. I'll wait forever, it's never too late, couple thousand miles is just a little space."

After watching the vid, it's no wonder Gronk likes retirement.

Tichina Arnold is gonna blow your mind in the first movie produced by Netflix and the WWE ... 'cause she's gonna change your concept of what grandmothers look like.

Tichina was on Tuesday's "TMZ Live" to talk about "The Main Event," when the conversation quickly turned to that old saying ... Black don't crack!!! See, she's playing grandma -- or as she puts it, G-ma -- to an 11-year-old kid who gets his shot to become a WWE superstar.

You gotta see what happened when we brought up her role ... mistakenly thinking she's playing the kid's mom. Ooops!!! Big time.

Hey, honest mistake ... because nothing about Tichina looks grandmotherly, but we had some big laughs with her talking about it. She also confessed while Black may not crack it does do something else. Watch.

BTW, TA is hosting a live virtual premiere for 'Main Event' from her social media pages ... which you can check out next Friday, April 10.

We can testify, hanging with Tichina, even virtually, is a blast ... check out Tuesday's "TMZ Live" if ya don't believe us.

WWE superstar Roman Reigns is finally speaking out about why he decided to pull out of "Wrestlemania 36" ... saying straight-up, "I had to make a choice for me and my family."

The 34-year-old -- a 2-time cancer survivor -- was supposed to wrestle Goldberg for the WWE Universal Championship during the April 4 and 5 event ... but ultimately decided it wasn't worth the risk to his health.

According to ProWrestlingSheet, Reigns told WWE he's immunocompromised from the cancer fight  -- and didn't feel comfortable performing with the looming threat of COVID-19.

But, on Monday, Reigns -- real name Leati "Joe" Anoaʻi -- spoke to his fans on IG, saying there's more to the story.

"You don't know the whole story. All you know is what you think, 'oh well his health' and this and that, but you don't what else is going on in my life."

"You don't know if I have newborns. You don't know if I have family in my household, older family. So, yeah, just like the old saying, 'Don't flip that cover open and read a few pages, get into a few chapters before you really start running your mouth.'"

He continued ... "For all my fans, I'm sorry. I didn't get to compete this year and put on a show and entertain but sometimes things are more important."

"I had to make a choice for me and my family."

Reigns said he traveled to Orlando with the intention to perform -- but he had a change of heart ... explaining, "I had to make a decision for me."

"It doesn't take anything away from what I've done and what I'm going to do. I still love this game. I still love pro wrestling, sports entertainment. I love being in the ring."

Reigns acknowledged that's it's "a little weird" performing in an arena without fans -- but says the bottom line is he's ready to get back to work asap.

Sorry, Bucs fans -- Tom Brady almost certainly ain't bringing Rob Gronkowski to Tampa this season ... Gronk's bro tells TMZ Sports he thinks the TE is officially DONE with football.

"I can't say anything for him," Chris Gronkowski says. "But, I think that he might be moving on ... I would be surprised for sure."

Of course, rumors have flown about a possible Gronk-Brady reunion in Tampa this past week ... with some thinking, the move is in the best interest of both parties now that TB12 is the Bucs' new starter.

Remember, Gronk's had a year off to get his body right after retiring suddenly in March 2019 ... and he'd certainly be a big weapon for his old pal in the new Florida digs. Also, Chris tells us Rob DID use to own property in the area.

But, Gronk just signed a deal with WWE to be a part-time personality for the org. ... and when we spoke with Chris on Monday, he said he thinks that should officially signal the end of Rob's football days.

"Man, it looks like it after this deal," Chris says. "But, I'm not him, so I have no idea what he's thinking. But, as of right now, it looks like a pretty cool position that he's in."

As for how Chris thinks Gronk's Wrestlemania-hosting gig will go next month ... big bro has all the confidence in the NFL legend, telling us, "I expect good things."

"I think it's going to be entertaining and I hope he gets in the ring at some point as well."

The Gronk era of WWE is officially here!!!

Rob Gronkowski made his first appearance on SmackDown on Friday ... and the dude went BONKERS right out of the gate!!

Gronk's BFF Mojo Rawley grabbed the mic at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando and gave Rob one of the greatest, most hype intros ever ... despite the fact there were no fans in the stands (because of the COVID-19 pandemic).

The music came on, Gronk busted out into the arena ... AND DANCED HIS ASS OFF!

He even grinded on one of the turnbuckles!!

Once the former New England Patriots tight end made it inside the ring, he took the mic and got even MORE turned up!

"Let me tell you something," Gronk said to the empty arena ... "I've been watching [WWE] since 2nd grade!"

Gronk even joked that despite "zero" people in the stands, "I'm still hype baby!!"

Later on, there was some good ol' fashioned trash talk from Baron Corbin -- who roasted Gronk for being injury-prone ... "I know you know something about getting hurt."

The gloves are off, baby!!!

Next up for Gronk ... he's hosting "WrestleMania 36" -- a 2-night event starting on April 4th which will also take place at multiple locations -- including WWE's training center in Orlando -- with only essential personnel in attendance.

WWE just made a MAJOR change to WrestleMania 36 -- the event will be split into 2 nights ... and future pro football hall of famer Rob Gronkowski will be hosting the whole thing!!

Vince McMahon's org. just made the historic announcement Wednesday afternoon ... saying the ex-Pats superstar will be the face of the event from the WWE Performance Center in Florida.

The event is slated to go down April 4 and 5 -- on closed sets in multiple locations -- thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.

As we previously reported, Gronk finalized a deal with WWE in a "part-time, cameo" type of setting last week ... with ProWrestlingSheet's Ryan Satin initially breaking the news Gronk was close to a deal.

Of course, there's gonna be a different feel to the huge event this year ... with the original plan in Tampa scrapped for a live-streamed event at WWE headquarters with ZERO fans.

A rep for WWE told us at the time, "Only essential personnel will be on the closed set at WWE’s training facility in Orlando, Florida to produce WrestleMania."

If Chuck Liddell wants a job with WWE, all he's gotta do is pick up his phone and call his buddy, Shane McMahon ... who tells TMZ Sports he wants to bring the Ice Man on board!!

Of course, we spoke with the UFC legend last week ... and the 50-year-old told us he's officially retired from MMA for good ... but would still love to beat the crap outta folks in the squared circle.

We spoke with Vince's son outside Craig's in L.A. about our interview with Chuck ... and it's safe to say the feeling is mutual ... 'cause Shane thinks the idea is AWESOME!!

"I know Chuck very well, so all he has to do is give me a ring," McMahon tells us.

"I'd love to do that with Chuck, that'd be awesome."

So, what are you waiting for, Chuck?!?!?! Hit your boy up!!

Rob Gronkowski is "deep in talks" to sign a contract with WWE -- and reportedly could make his first official appearance with the company later this month.

The 30-year-old ex-New England Patriots star has been talking about a career with the WWE for years -- but now that he's seemingly closed the door on an NFL comeback, it's becoming real.

In fact, ProWrestlingSheet's Ryan Satin appeared on FS1's "WWE Backstage" and cited multiple sources who say Gronk's very close to finalizing his deal.

Satin says if things move according to plan, Gronk is expected to appear on "Friday Night Smackdown" in New Orleans on March 20.

Gronk LOVES pro wrestling -- and the McMahon family. Just last month, he was pictured with Triple H during Super Bowl weekend in Miami.

And, don't forget when he famously jumped in the ring to help out his pal, Mojo Rawley, at Wrestlemania 33 in 2017 -- and looked like a natural.

In fact, Gronk even told us a short time after that bout he wanted a WWE match of his own with Rawley!!

If Rob does ultimately get into the sport full-time ... he'll have no shortage of rivals -- everyone from Becky Lynch to Lio Rush and Bobby Lashley have talked smack about the 30-year-old.

As for Gronk's ability to wrestle full-time despite having no real background in the WWE world ... Rawley told us last year, "All I know is whatever he does next, or what he's doing currently, he's gonna be the best at."

Gronk famously retired from the New England Patriots back in 2019 ... finishing his career with 3 Super Bowl rings and 79 total receiving touchdowns.