WWE

9:05 AM PT -- The Pasco Sheriff's Office tells TMZ Sports ... "Preliminary information indicates that [Neidhart] fell at home, hit his head, and succumbed to his injury."

"No foul play suspected. No additional information to release at this time."

Wrestling legend Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart has died, according to the WWE. He was 63.

Neidhart passed away early Monday morning after suffering a medical emergency at a home in Florida.

According to the emergency dispatch audio, emergency personnel were called around 6:30 AM about a man having seizures and convulsions.

At one point, the dispatch operator says, "They think he might be Signal 7" -- which is code for a dead person.

Jim was a WWF superstar in the mid-'80s and early '90s as a member of The Hart Foundation tag team with Bret "The Hitman" Hart ... managed by Jimmy Hart.

During his legendary career, Jim was a 2-time Tag Team champion -- defeating everyone from the Legion of Doom to the Nasty Boys to The Rockers.

Neidhart also wrestled with WCW and TNA Wrestling. He last wrestled in WWE back in 2007, but has made appearances on "Total Divas."

Before he became a pro wrestler, Neidhart pursued a career in pro football -- with brief stints with the Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys.

Neidhart struggled with substance abuse -- he went to rehab twice after drug-related arrests.

Neidhart is survived by his wife, Ellie, and 3 daughters including Natalie -- aka WWE superstar Natalya.

R.I.P.

Smash from Demolition tweeted about Neidhart, saying, "It is terrible I just heard Jim Neidhart passed away. I just pray for his family to get through this.Jim was a great friend and I will really miss him."

Bret Hart says he's "stunned and saddened" by the death of his former tag team partner and brother-in-law, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart ... saying, "I just don't have the words right now."

Hart also posted a photo of his old friend with their tag team wrestling championship belts.

Bret and Jim started The Hart Foundation tag team group in 1985 -- and are widely considered one of the best tag teams of all time.

Ric Flair also posted a tribute -- saying, "My Good Friend Jim Neidhart, A World Class Athlete And A Man Among Men. Rest In Peace."

Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake added, "Devastating news Jim Neidhart my friend has passed away!! I can hardly believe it. Rest In Peace Brother until we meet again!!!"

The Iron Sheik wrote, "ONE OF MY OLDEST FRIENDS IN THE BUSINESS JIM NEIDHART. WE TRAVEL TOGETHER I LOVE HIM FOREVER LIKE A BROTHER. GOD BLESS FAMILY I NEVER FORGET YOU BUBBA."

Sgt. Slaughter said ... "Saddened To Hear Jim Neidhart Has Passed. My Prayers Are With His Families. Guess God Needed An “Anvil” Angel RIP Jim."

Ex-WWE superstar Enzo Amore says his wrestling days are over FOR GOOD -- telling TMZ Sports there's no amount of money in the world that can change his mind.

Amore -- real name Eric Arndt -- was fired from the WWE in the wake of rape allegations back in January. But, in May, prosecutors announced Amore would NOT be charged with a crime due to lack of evidence.

But, at the Athletes vs. Cancer charity flag football game in L.A. on Sunday night, Amore told us he's moving on with his life ... focusing on music and acting and wouldn't go back in the ring "in a million years."

"There ain't nobody who's got enough money to put me back in the ring, kid," Amore told us ... "Not unless it's 'Creed 3' dog and I'm fighting [Adonis Creed]."

It never happened in the UFC ... but Ronda Rousey vs. Cris Cyborg MIGHT go down in the WWE -- with Mick Foley telling TMZ Sports he's been lobbying Vince McMahon to sign the Brazilian star.

"I had a meeting with Mr. McMahon and I specifically told him keep your eyes on this Cyborg vs. Nunes fight," Mick said.

"She's gonna be larger than life and would make a great WWE superstar down the line."

The Cyborg vs. Amanda Nunes fight isn't official yet (they're working on it) -- but Foley thinks it will help propel Cyborg to a new level of fame.

Ronda has been killing it in WWE -- ragdolling just about every woman who's stepped in the ring against her. So, bringing in Cyborg could be the perfect move.

Ronda Rousey took some time away from murdering WWE wrestlers to light up the red carpet at the premiere of her new movie "Mile 22" on Thursday ... and she was straight fire.

The UFC Hall of Famer had been working on the action flick with Mark Wahlberg since last year -- and was stoked about the premiere in Westwood ... where she rocked a black strapless jumpsuit with some cheetah pattern stilettos.

Ronda has previously told us she thinks the flick has real Oscar potential -- and hopes it can help her fulfill her Hollywood dream of starring in "Kill Bill 3" ... if Quentin Tarantino decides to make it!

Ronda Rousey destroyed TWO chicks at the same time Monday night -- punishing WWE Raw champ Alexa Bliss and then making Alicia Fox tap out!!

It all went down in Jacksonville, Florida -- where Ronda wrestled her first ever match on Monday Night Raw. She came out to her theme song, "Bad Reputation," by Joan Jett and the crowd went nuts.

Bliss and Fox were inside the ring -- talking A LOT of trash after Fox slammed Rousey into a wall last week -- and Ronda was hell-bent on revenge ... and she got it.

Rousey is a beast in the ring -- bigger, stronger and more athletic than both Bliss and Fox combined and it's pretty awesome to watch her dominate.

WWE legend Mick Foley says he couldn't be more proud of his good friend Kane for becoming the next mayor of Knox County, Tennessee ... saying, "I think he'll do a great job!"

Foley campaigned for Kane -- real name Glenn Jacobs -- touting his friend's longtime interest in politics and the fact he's a super smart dude in real life.

So, when Kane won the election this week, Foley wanted to assure the people of Knox County they're getting a winner!

"He's a very wise man and caring person, and I think he'll do a great job in Knox County."

Kane aka Glenn Jacobs has been voted mayor of Knox County, Tennessee.

The WWE legend took home the county mayoral election today ... and will soon run a 450,000-plus population county.

Jacobs -- who announced he was running for the office last year -- narrowly won the primary election back in May (he only won by 23 votes) ... earning a spot in the general election.

That vote was close ... but this time around, Kane absolutely crushed the competition -- winning by more than 15 THOUSAND votes.

If Conor McGregor ever wants to make the jump to the squared circle, he'll have Ronda Rousey to thank ... so says Sheamus, who tells us Rowdy paved the way for MMA stars in WWE.

TMZ Sports spoke with the Irish superstar about Ronda's transition into pro wrestling ... and Sheamus says he wouldn't be surprised if more UFC fighters follow her lead.

"I think anything is possible now with Ronda in the WWE ... Ronda's killing it, so the door's open for anybody."

BTW -- Conor and Sheamus had a huge Twitter feud back in 2014 after the Notorious claimed he would "whoop his ass" in a fight.

David Otunga says he flew into "flight or fight mode" when he encountered the dude who broke into his car Monday night -- telling TMZ Sports, "I'm ready to tear this guy's head off."

Little backstory ... Otunga had finished a shoulder workout at his gym in Chicago when he saw a man inside of his car trying to steal his stuff, including Apple AirPods.

The WWE star says he freaked out at first, wondering if the guy had a gun -- but quickly realized the burglar was a coward who immediately began to beg Otunga to let him go.

"I go yoke him up and dude just starts pleading with me, 'No! I'm sorry! Please, don't hit me. Don't hit me, don't hurt me. I'm sorry, I'm sorry!'"

Otunga says the man claimed he was desperately in need of money and wanted to steal D.O.'s stuff, so he could sell it.

"I almost feel bad for him," David tells us ... "Like, I'm so pissed off, I'm ready to tear this guy's head off and then he's pleading with me."

Otunga says he ultimately shoved the guy and he ran off.

But, the scariest moment -- David says he later found the burglar's KNIFE in the car ... and quickly realized things could have been a lot worse.

With Ronda Rousey's movie career taking off, the UFC legend says she's aiming high -- and wants a very specific role if Quentin Tarantino goes forward with a 3rd installment of "Kill Bill."

We got Rousey in NYC where she was promoting her new flick "Mile 22" -- where she stars alongside Mark Wahlberg and John Malkovich. Ronda thinks the movie has a real shot to win an Oscar.

But, moving forward, Rousey says she REALLY wants to play a "grown-up B.B. in 'Kill Bill 3.'"

Of course, B.B. was Beatrix Kiddo's (Uma Thurman) daughter in the original movies.

Tarantino has talked about possibly making a 3rd 'K.B.' flick -- but there's nothing in the works.

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?