WWE

John Cena isn't putting on an act -- he was REALLY in love with Nikka Bella and it "sucks" that she kicked him to the curb ... so says ex-WWE superstar JTG.

"I know John Cena was really in love with her. I've never seen him like that," the former Cryme Tyme tag team member told us while sitting in a Lamborghini in Beverly Hills.

JTG says he's known Cena for a long time -- including during his marriage to ex-wife Elizabeth Huberdeau -- but explains, "I've never seen him head over heels for a female like he was with Nikki."

As we previously reported, the couple decided to end their relationship for good after quasi-attempts at a reconciliation.

JTG also had some kind words for Brian Christopher Lawler -- and tells us why Grandmaster Sexay belongs in the WWE Hall of Fame.

Daniel Cormier says he considers himself the Michael Jordan or LeBron James of the UFC ... but when it comes to the greatest heavyweight of all time -- that title goes to Cain Velasquez.

Of course, DC is reigning heavyweight champion of the world -- but tells TMZ Sports he doesn't feel he's done his best fighting at that weight.

Cain -- on the other hand -- is a 2-time UFC heavyweight champ with impressive victories over guys like Brock Lesnar, Junior Dos Santos and Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva.

He also has the record for most knockouts in the UFC heavyweight division!

Former WWE champ Brian Christopher Lawler -- aka Grandmaster Sexay -- has died after hanging himself in jail this weekend.

Lawler's mother, Kay, tells TMZ Sports Brian passed away Sunday surrounded by family and friends after being placed on life support Saturday night following a suicide attempt in jail. He was surrounded by his father, Jerry Lawler, his brother, Kevin, and other family.

We're told he died around 3:40 PM CDT.

As we reported ... guards found Lawler had tried hanging himself in his jail cell outside Memphis. He was taken to a hospital where he remained in critical condition until late Sunday morning.

Lawler was arrested earlier this month for DUI after leading cops on a chase. As we first told you ... cops say he reeked of booze and had an open 12 ounce can in his center console, and they arrested him on the spot. Bail had been set at $40k.

Brian had a successful run in the WWE himself, mostly known as the other half of popular tag team Too Cool and as Scotty 2 Hotty's longtime wrestling partner. They won a tag team championship together.

WWE released a statement on Brian's death, saying "WWE is saddened to learn that Brian Christopher Lawler, who is best known in WWE as Too Cool's Grandmaster Sexay, has passed away. Lawler, who is the son of WWE Hall of Famer Jerry "The King" Lawler, competed during the height of the Attitude Era. WWE extends its condolences to Lawler's family, friends and fans."

WWE Hall of Famer Nikolai Volkoff died this weekend.

His onetime ring partner, The Iron Sheik -- with whom he won WrestleMania I's World Tag Team Championship in '85 -- confirmed in a tweet Sunday that Volkoff had passed away.

Volkoff, who's real name was Josip Nikolai Peruzović, wrestled in the WWWF from 1968 to 1971 where he won a tag team title in 1970. After that, he went on to wrestle singles ... and later returned to the WWWF between '74 and '80 and then again for a second time in '84.

Volkoff had a successful run teaming up with Sheik in multiple wrestling events between '84 and '87 as well as other wrestlers in the years after. He went back and forth between foreign heel and hero through the '90s and eventually scaled back wrestling through the 2000s ... although he did make appearances in WWE.

Although he was Croatian, Volkoff was portrayed as a Russian ... and would often rile up the crowd by singing the Russian National Anthem.

WWE released a statement on Volkoff's passing, saying in part ... "As one of the greatest villains sports-entertainment had ever seen, Volkoff’s infamous rendition of the Soviet National Anthem before his matches made him an instant icon in the eyes of the WWE Universe as a Superstar they truly loved to hate ... WWE extends its condolences to Peruzović’s family, friends and fans."

Volkoff was inducted into the WWE's Hall of Fame in 2005. He was 70 years old.

Nikki Bella knows how to sit on a fence -- refusing to close the door on her relationship with John Cena ... despite looking for her own home.

We got the WWE Diva Thursday at LAX, where she played coy about her status with her on-again-off-again beau -- whose house she's trying to move out of for her own spot.

We broke the story ... Nikki's looking to snap up her own house in the La Jolla area of San Diego. She's currently staying at John's home, and wants to remain nearby to be close to her sister, Brie. She's working with a budget of around $1 mil.

As for how the new house hunt is coming along, Nikki admits what should already be obvious ... SD is pricey! Sounds like she's chugging along though ... ready to start a new chapter in her life.

On John ... Nikki gives us mixed signals, saying she still loves him and that their fire's still burning. So ... you're telling us there's a chance?

Nikki Bella's taking a big step in her relationship with John Cena ... a step AWAY from him.

Sources close to Nikki tell TMZ ... she's started shopping on her own for a home in the La Jolla area of San Diego. Despite their breakup, we're told she's been living at John's place in that area ... but he's been traveling in China.

As we've told you, Nikki and John have been trying to reconcile since she broke off their engagement in April, but when we last saw them together on a dinner date last month ... things didn't look so good.

Our sources say Nikki really wants to have her independence back and "figure herself out" -- a sign things may be over with Cena, at least for now. We're told she's looking to stay in the same area to be close to her sister, Brie.

Nikki's a first-time home buyer, and we're told her budget is just over $1 mil. We're told she wants a place with at least 4 bedrooms, good security and a pool. She's already scoped out 2 homes in gated communities.

As for the breakup -- the moment Nikki called off the engagement happened on camera, and it's airing on Sunday night's season finale of "Total Bellas."

More trouble for ex-WWE superstar Brian Christopher Lawler -- aka Grandmaster Sexay -- who was arrested for DUI and evading cops in Tennessee earlier this month ... TMZ Sports has learned.

According to official docs obtained by TMZ Sports, cops spotted the 46-year-old pro wrestler speeding and swerving around 1 AM on July 7.

Cops attempted to pull him over, but Lawler failed to stop -- because, according to police, he was trying to make it home.

Once Lawler finally stopped, cops say he reeked of booze and had an open 12 ounce can in his center console. So, they arrested him on the spot.

Lawler -- formerly part of the tag team Too Cool with Scotty 2 Hotty -- was taken to a nearby station where he was booked for DUI and evading arrest. Bail was set at $40,000.

The arrest comes just 1 month after he was busted for allegedly running from a hotel bill in Memphis.

Ronda Rousey vs. Cris "Cyborg" Justino -- the superfight that never happened -- could still be a possibility ... just not in the UFC.

TMZ Sports talked to Cyborg at the airport in L.A. on Sunday ... and asked her about the possibility of finally facing her rival after years of trash talk ... and battling Ronda in the WWE.

"Some fans ask me, 'Cris, do you like to make a fight with Ronda Rousey in WWE?'" Cyborg tells us, "I say 'Maybe, ya don't know. Maybe.' It's not something I plan. But if fans would like to watch, I need to train for that, but, ya know, it's gonna be great."

Cyborg was actually complimentary of Ronda ... telling us she's seen Rousey do her thing in the WWE ... and thinks she's kickin' ass in the squared circle.

"I watch a couple things Ronda's doing there, and I think she's doing great."

Mark Henry's a wrestling AND power lifting legend ... but he ain't even the best athlete in his own house anymore -- 'cause his 2 young kids are dominating youth sports.

TMZ Sports talked to Mark about his 12-year-old son, Jacob, and 8-year-old daughter, Joanna ... who both qualified for the Junior Olympics.

FYI -- Mark's a 2-time Olympian who also placed 1st at the Pan-Am Games and Arnold Strongman Classic back in the day -- and just about every other power lifting event that existed.

It's his kids who are killin' it now.

"My son Jacob qualified in the shot put and the discus. He's one of the top 20 throwers in the country. He's working his way up. He's only 12. But he wants to be great. I told him don't follow my path, create your own."

And his daughter ... she's a track star who went to the Junior Olympics 2 years ago, and also qualified this year.

1st place and gold medals are cool ... but Henry says the most important thing is school -- and his kids are takin' care of biz in the classroom.

In fact, there's really only one reason he wants them in sports ... "I want to spend they scholarship money. Their college funds. If they go to school for free, that's more money for me and my wife to go to the Caymans."

It's a joke (we think).

Don't slam the door on a possible Cormier vs. Miocic rematch -- with D.C. telling TMZ Sports he's open to the idea ... AFTER he fights Brock Lesnar.

Remember, after Daniel Cormier defeated Stipe Miocic at UFC 226 earlier this month ... Lesnar stormed the cage and hyped a Cormier vs. Lesnar superfight.

Miocic -- the former heavyweight champion of the world -- is furious claiming he's EARNED a rematch with Cormier before Lesnar gets a shot ... considering Brock hasn't even fought since 2016.

So, when we saw Cormier at the ESPYs on Wednesday ... we asked how he felt about Stipe's gripe.

Of course, the clock is ticking considering Cormier is 39 years old and wants to retire at age 40. His birthday is in March.

Tick tock ...

Imagine Ronda Rousey teaming up with her own husband for a crazy WWE mixed gender tag team match -- dope, right?

Well, her husband -- UFC fighter Travis Browne -- says he's in ... but he's not looking to steal any of his wife's shine.

In fact, Browne says he LOVES that Ronda's become such a huge WWE star -- telling TMZ Sports she's never been happier.

But, with WWE superstars like Triple H and Stephanie McMahon (among others) who have used their real-life relationships to fuel storylines ... Travis says he's down to get in the ring too!

"I'll never say no to the possibility of going out there and wrestling," Browne says ... "I'd love to go out there and work with my wife!"

For the record, Travis is listed at 6'7" and 255 pounds ... just a tad shorter than guys like Kane, The Undertaker and Baron Corbin.

Hulk Hogan. Ultimate Warrior. The chick from 'Backdoor Teen Mom.'

Yes, Farrah Abraham has dreams of becoming a professional wrestler -- and tells TMZ Sports she's got her sights set on squaring off with some of the biggest names in WWE.

FYI, the former MTV star recently inked a deal with World Class Revolution Pro Wrestling -- but, it appears to be more of a promotional thing than an actual wrestling contract.

Still, when we saw Farrah at the Syndicate L.A. party at Jimmy Goldstein's home on Monday night ... she seemed excited about the possibility of throwing down at some point.

"I would probably choose Alexa Bliss or maybe the Bella Twins," Farrah said ... "I think those ladies are great."

She also claims to be a HUGE wrestling fan -- and says a match with Stone Cold Steve Austin or Hulk Hogan would be a dream come true.

Mark Wahlberg says he believes in Baker Mayfield -- so he placed a REAL bet on the Cleveland Browns to win 6 games in 2018.

Yeah, he's being serious.

Don't worry, he also made some less risky wagers -- betting on the Patriots and the Eagles to get back to the Super Bowl this season.

Wahlberg also bet on Ronda Rousey -- casting her in his new movie, "Mile 22" ... and he's super fired up about her role in the flick.

Mark raves about Ronda's performance and says she's more than just an action star -- she's a legit actress who nailed her dramatic scenes like a boss!!!

The movie -- which opens next month -- will be Ronda's most important Hollywood role yet. Of course, she starred in the "Entourage" movie ... but played herself.

Now, she's got a real shot to follow stars like The Rock ... and parlay action sports stardom into a real Hollywood career.

Mark Henry says there's a divide among black wrestlers over the WWE's decision to accept Hulk Hogan back into the community ... just three years after he was caught on tape using the n-word.

"It's 50-50," Henry tells TMZ Sports. "I've talked to guys that were like, 'Man, the hell with him.'"

Don't count Mark on that side of the coin, however.

The ex-WWE world champ says he thinks Hulk's apologies over the incident have been sincere ... and he believes Hogan's punishment and penance since the rant have been enough.

"I do feel like he genuinely wants to clear his name," the host of "Busted Open" radio tells us.

Hulk Hogan is back in the WWE's good graces three years after he was caught on tape using the n-word ... reclaiming his place in the wrestling organization's Hall of Fame.

WWE issued a statement Sunday, saying that after a 3-year suspension ... Hulk was being reinstated in their HOF. They go on to say that this second chance follows multiple apologies and volunteer work from Hulk ... this in the wake of his angry rant using the n-word, which was caught on his sex tape and leaked in 2015.

We broke the story ... Hulk has been in talks with WWE honchos to be brought back into the fold, though the wrestling legend wanted it done the right way.

Like the league notes, Hulk has, in fact, apologized many times over insisting the vile language does not reflect who he is as a person. He even referenced the scandal while being inducted into the Boys & Girls Club Hall of Fame earlier this year.

WWE mentioned the recent induction in their press release, saying he is helping young people learn from his mistake.

What did the 5 fingers say to David Arquette's face? SLAPPITY SLAP SLAP!!!

The 46-year-old movie star took several open-hand slaps to the face on the red carpet at the 350 Days premiere in Hollywood on Thursday ... when he was ambushed by pro wrestler RJ City.

The two -- who happen to be facing off at a wrestling match on July 15 -- started jawing at each other on the red carpet ... but things turned physical and RJ let them hands fly!

The "fight" was quickly broken up and City was escorted off the carpet.

Afterward, Arquette told us he's been training his ass off to demolish City on Sunday -- even traveling to Tijuana, Mexico to train with luchadores.