WWE

Looks like the feud between 2 of the baddest chicks on the planet has fizzled out -- 'cause Laila Ali is wishing Ronda Rousey "all the best" in WWE.

For real.

We got Laila at an event for her new 'Food for Life' book out in NYC ... and the former unified boxing champ did the unthinkable -- she gave her UFC rival PROPS for pursuing a new career.

"I think it's cool ... she can wrestle!" Ali told TMZ Sports.

Remember ... Laila famously criticized Ronda after she lost to Holly Holm -- and that's after they went back and forth for months, saying they'd smash each other in boxing.

It's been almost a year since Derrick Lewis hollered at Ronda Rousey after KO'ing her BF, Travis Browne ... and he ain't ready to let go of his #WomanCrushEveryday.

Remember -- Derrick famously asked where Ronda's "fine ass" was at last February ... after sending poor Trav to the shadow realm.

Since then, both Lewis and Rousey have both gotten hitched to their SOs ... but Lewis says that hasn't changed how he feels about her.

"My wife doesn't like me still searching for Ronda ... but she'll get over it sooner or later," Black Beast told TMZ Sports.

Derrick also told us why he's happy Rousey joined WWE ... and why the hell he's been TRAINING WITH A RATTLESNAKE just weeks away from his scrap at UFC Fight Night: Austin.

Roddy Piper's kids were downright emotional when talking about how much Ronda Rousey means to their family ... and what a special moment it was to see her wearing the WWE legend's jacket.

TMZ Sports spoke with Colt Toombs and Ariel Teal Toombs about the plan to let Ronda wear Roddy's trademark fashion accessory at the Royal Rumble ... and the backstory might make you cry.

Of course, Roddy passed away in 2015 ... and both Colt and Ariel tell us Ronda personally vowed to them that she would do everything in her power to keep his legacy alive.

FYI, Ronda has always said Piper was her inspiration ... and she had personally asked him for permission to use his nickname back in the day. He obliged.

Now, Roddy's kids say she's doing a damn fine job keeping his spirit alive and they support her 100% moving forward.

Move over, Wale -- there's a new WWE superfan rapper, and his name is Desiigner!

Want proof? Check out the "Panda" M.C. at the Royal Rumble in Philly Sunday night ... losing his damn mind with pretty much every Rumble entrant.

The highlights ...

-- Hollerin' at "sexy ass" Torrie Wilson (can't blame him)

-- EXPLODING when Rey Mysterio hit his signature "619"

-- Imitating his friend, Paul Heyman, introducing Brock Lesnar

Fun fact: Desiigner performed at Heyman's son's bar mitzvah a few months back.

Forget the "good guy" stuff ... Ronda Rousey should be a HEEL when she opens her WWE storyline, so says big-time wrestling fan, Cedric the Entertainer.

We broke the news to Ced in L.A. on Sunday night after Rousey crashed the Royal Rumble and confirmed she's now a full-time WWE superstar ... you can tell he's pumped about it!

Not only did Ced warn Ronda about the Bella Twins, he also pitched Ronda on why she should start her WWE career as a VILLAIN.

File under: Awww.

If you think you were pumped on Ronda Rousey's surprise Royal Rumble appearance ... peep this video of Travis Browne and her two stepchildren -- who had ZERO clue she had joined the company!!

Travis was PUMPED as soon as he heard Rousey's music hit ... but it took the boys, Kaleo and Keawe, a few seconds to figure out what was up.

Once they do ... their reaction is priceless.

How huge will Ronda Rousey be for WWE??

Pro wrestling legend Diamond Dallas Page says she'll be a bonafide mega-star ... and he's comparing her to a couple heavyweight titans to make his point.

The first -- Mike Tyson ... who famously crossed over to WWE to briefly feud with Stone Cold Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania.

And if Rousey wants to make it a permanent gig ... DDP says she could be the female equivalent of future WWE Hall of Famer, Bill Goldberg!

"He had that incredible charisma and personality and that 'it' factor, and Rousey's got that same thing," DDP told TMZ Sports at his yoga performance center in Georgia.

DDP would know -- he and Goldberg were big-time rivals in WCW ... and he's also locked up with pro athletes with Tyson's clout.

David Otunga says Jennifer Hudson is simply a liar when she grouses to the judge in their custody war that he needs to get a job, because he says she knows he already has one.

Otunga just fired back in legal docs, responding to Hudson's claim he essentially sits on the sofa and needs gainful employment so she doesn't have to pay support.

He says her claim is ironic because 5 years ago, she gave him an ultimatum ... telling him he had to either choose wrestling or his family. Translation ... she was the person who stopped him from wrestling full-time.

Otunga says he IS employed ... with the WWE, in addition to working on other entertainment projects.

He also says it's nervy for Hudson to grouse about money when she makes between $8 million and $13 million per season just for "The Voice."

It's official ... Vince McMahon is bringing back the XFL -- and Tim Tebow already has an invite to play.

The WWE honcho made the announcement Thursday afternoon ... saying the new XFL will launch in 2020 and will focus on more exciting football with zero political distractions.

That means players will be required to stand for the National Anthem.

Vince says the league will launch with 8 teams -- 40-man rosters -- and nobody with a criminal background will be eligible to play. Vince says the quality of the individual matters as much as the quality of the play.

When asked specifically about 3 players -- Johnny Manziel, Tim Tebow, and Colin Kaepernick -- Vince danced around Johnny and Colin ... but extended a casual invitation to Tebow.

McMahon insists there will be no crossover between the WWE and the XFL -- which means completely different announcers.

Vince also says he will not be the face of the league and will hire an accomplished people to run the XFL.

As far as the length of the game, Vince says he's gunning for 2-hour games.

Vince says he's confident the league will succeed this time around, 'cause the team has a 2-year runway ... and will be listening closely to what the fans want.

He even asked fans to submit ideas to the league office.

Ronda Rousey is slamming the door on rumors she'll make her official WWE debut at the Royal Rumble on Jan 28 -- telling TMZ Sports it'll be physically impossible ... 'cause she'll be out of the country!

"I'm actually leaving to Colombia right now to finish shooting 'Mile 22' and won't be back until mid February," Rousey says.

"Mile 22" is an action flick starring Mark Wahlberg and John Malkovich.

But the bigger issue ... Ronda says there is no official contract in place between her and WWE, despite a recent dinner meeting with high-ranking WWE exec Triple H.

Don't rule it out though ... Rousey seemed flattered by some recent smack talk from WWE Raw womens' champ Alexa Bliss.

So, what's Ronda's long-term career plans? She talked about that, too!

Diamond Dallas Page says enough is enough when it comes to the WWE's Hulk Hogan ban ... telling TMZ Sports the Hulkster's done his time and deserves a chance to rejoin the company.

"Hulk has to come back. I'm hoping that that gets seen on the WWE side," the pro wrestling legend told us at his yoga performance center in Georgia.

Of course, WWE cut ties with Hogan after his sex-tape scandal in 2015 ... when he went on a racially offensive N-word rant.

But DDP -- much like Roddy Piper (RIP), Virgil and Dennis Rodman -- says there isn't "any racist bone in his body" ... and is calling for the McMahon family to welcome Hulk back inside the ring.

FYI, Hogan has repeatedly expressed interest in a WWE comeback ... but the company released a statement before its 'Raw 25' anniversary show saying it "remains committed to its decision."

Ex-WWE superstar Enzo Amore has broken his silence about allegations he raped a woman back in October -- claiming his accuser is lying and he's working with cops in an effort to clear his name.

Amore has lawyered up and his attorney issued a statement saying, "Over the last two days, Philomena Sheahan has made multiple public accusations against Eric Arndt (also known as Enzo Amore with the WWE), including allegations of sexual misconduct concerning an October 2017 incident in Phoenix."

"Mr. Arndt fully and unequivocally denies those accusations."

"He is cooperating with the authorities in this matter and looks forward to having it resolved in a timely manner. Neither Mr. Arndt nor his counsel will be making any further public comments on this matter."

As we previously reported, the Phoenix P.D. is investigating Amore after Sheahan claimed he raped her repeatedly in an Arizona hotel room, despite repeated pleas to stop.

The woman who claims she was raped by WWE superstar Enzo Amore tells TMZ Sports ... she repeatedly told the wrestler to back off and leave her alone -- but he refused to stop.

We spoke with Philomena Sheahan -- who gave us permission to publish her name and her face -- and she laid out her allegations she made to police against Amore, real name Eric Arndt.

Sheahan claims Amore was hitting on her hard in a Phoenix hotel room on Oct. 19 -- and tried to slow him down ... telling him, "I want to get to know you first."

But Amore allegedly blew right past consent and got very aggressive -- ripping off Sheahan's tights and raping her in various parts of the hotel room.

"I said 'no' countless times," Sheahan said ... "I just kept saying 'No.'"

Sheahan said she was crying as she begged him to stop, but he threw her on a bed instead -- and she hit her head so hard, she passed out.

Amore, according to Sheahan, continued to restrain her and pushed forward with the sexual assault.

A few days later, Sheahan says she spoke with Phoenix PD and cops opened an investigation into Amore.

The WWE has since released Amore from the organization.

The WWE has officially "released" superstar Enzo Amore in the wake of allegations he raped a woman in Arizona back in October.

The company issued a statement saying, "WWE has come to terms on the release of Eric Arndt (Enzo Amore)."

As we previously reported, the accuser went public with her story on Monday -- claiming Enzo and two friends got her "f*cked up" in a Phoenix hotel room and Enzo raped her.

The woman filed a report with the Phoenix P.D. Cops are actively investigating.

So far, no word from Enzo.

WWE superstar Mojo Rawley tells TMZ Sports ... he's been talking with his best friend, Rob Gronkowski, and he's confident the guy will be "good to go" for the Super Bowl.

Of course, Gronk took a big shot to the head during the AFC Championship on Sunday and missed the 2nd half of the game after being evaluated for a concussion.

But, Rawley says Gronk is "one of the toughest guys I know and I'm sure he'll be fine for the big one."

"I've got confidence in my friend, my best friend."

Rawley says Gronk may come off as a meathead, but when it comes to his mental health, the guy is no dummy -- "He's taking the right steps and following the right protocols."

The WWE star also says he's REALLY hoping to get to the Super Bowl to cheer on his friend in person after Gronk came to WrestleMania last year to support him.

There's more ... Mojo was also in attendance at UFC 220 where his friend Stipe Miocic beat up Francis Ngannou.

So, we had to ask ... does Stipe have a future in the squared circle?! You'll wanna see the answer!

The Phoenix Police Dept. has opened up an investigation into allegations made by a woman who claims she was raped by WWE superstar Enzo Amore back in October. The WWE has also suspended him indefinitely.

The woman went public with her story on social media Monday -- claiming Enzo (real name Eric Arndt) along with 2 friends got her "f*cked up" in a hotel room on Oct. 19 to the point where she passed out.

The woman claims Enzo then restrained her and, "it happened."

The Phoenix PD says officers responded to a local hospital on Oct. 23 for a call about a woman who claims she was sexually assaulted. Investigators were assigned to the case. The investigation is still open.

As for the WWE, the organization has suspended Enzo ... saying, "WWE has zero tolerance for matters involving sexual harassment or sexual assault."

"Until this matter is resolved, Eric Arndt has been suspended."