WWE

Ex-WWE Superstar Matt Riddle is finally sharing his side of his eventful visit to JFK Airport last year ... claiming cocktails, an ear infection, and an awful travel experience sed his belligerent antics.

As we previously reported, Riddle appeared wasted before catching a flight to Orlando back in September ... grabbing a mic and shouting at passengers during a delay -- the same day he accused a Port Authority police officer of sexual assault.

The former Tag Team Champion explained he felt he was overworked at the time -- doing a four-day tour before flying to India for a one-day event and heading back to the States -- and that all "took a toll on me," he told "The MMA Hour."

On his flight back to the U.S., Riddle said he got a "really bad" ear infection ... and after a few alcoholic bevvies and flight delays, he was dealing with a "perfect storm."

Riddle is taking the whole thing in stride, though ... saying his bad time at the airport made him realize he needed to take a step back and stop working himself so much.

As for the sexual harassment accusation, Riddle also admitted alcohol played a factor ... and while he didn't wish to pursue charges, he now understands that he put himself in that situation.

WWE legend Virgil -- famous for being the "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase's personal bodyguard and assistant -- has died, his family announced Wednesday. He was just 61 years old.

Virgil -- real name Michael Jones -- dealt with serious health issues in recent years ... including several strokes and a dementia diagnosis.

Jones made his wrestling debut in 1985 ... and would go on to compete for promotions like Championship Wrestling Association, where he won the heavyweight title, as well as tag team championship with Rocky Johnson.

He then moved to the WWE, where he gained popularity alongside DiBiase ... often carrying his money and protecting him from opponents -- before eventually turning on him at Summerslam 1991 and defeating him at WrestleMania VII.

After a brief stint with the National Wrestling Conference, Jones debuted with WCW under the name Vincent, becoming a member of nWo as the head of security.

He'd continue to work with Hulk Hogan and other notable stars before his departure in 1999.

Jones briefly returned to WWE in 2010 as Ted DiBiase Jr.'s bodyguard ... and went on to make several appearances as Soul Train Jones in AEW.

Those close to Jones say he passed away peacefully at the hospital.

WWE released a statement on Jones' death ... saying, "WWE is saddened to learn that Michael Jones, known to WWE fans as Virgil, has passed away."

"WWE extends its condolences to Jones' family, friends and fans."

La leyenda de la WWE Virgil -famoso por ser el guardaespaldas personal y asistente del "Hombre del Millón de Dólares" Ted DiBiase- ha muerto, anunció su familia el miércoles. Solo tenía 61 años.

Virgil, cuyo nombre real era Michael Jones, tuvo graves problemas de salud en los últimos años, entre ellos varios derrames cerebrales y un diagnóstico de demencia.

Jones hizo su debut en la lucha libre en 1985 y llegó a competir en la Championship Wrestling Association, donde ganó el título de peso pesado, así como el campeonato por equipos con Rocky Johnson.

Luego se trasladó a la WWE, donde ganó popularidad junto a DiBiase, a menudo llevando su dinero y protegiéndolo de sus oponentes, antes de volverse contra él en Summerslam 1991 y derrotándolo en WrestleMania VII.

Tras un breve paso por la National Wrestling Conference, Jones debutó en la WCW con el nombre de Vincent, convirtiéndose en miembro de nWo como jefe de seguridad.

Siguió trabajando con Hulk Hogan y otras estrellas notables antes de su marcha en 1999.

Jones regresó brevemente a la WWE en 2010 como guardaespaldas de Ted DiBiase Jr y pasó a hacer varias apariciones como Soul Train Jones en AEW.

Las personas cercanas a Jones dicen que falleció en paz en el hospital.

WWE emitió un comunicado sobre la muerte de Jones diciendo: "WWE se entristece al saber que Michael Jones, conocido por los fans de la WWE como Virgil, ha fallecido".

"WWE extiende sus condolencias a la familia, amigos y fans de Jones".

Wrestling legend Ole Anderson -- who helped form The Four Horsemen in the 1980s -- has died at 81 years old.

The WWE confirmed the sad news Monday evening ... remembering him in a statement as "a prolific and decorated tag team wrestler" who had a "hard-nosed style and gruff demeanor."

"WWE extends its condolences to Anderson's family, friends, and fans," the org. added.

A cause of death was not revealed.

Anderson -- real name Alan Rogowski -- began his wrestling career in the '60s ... but really made his mark in the squared circle in the 1980s.

He, Ric Flair, Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard created the heel stable The Four Horsemen .... and the quartet eventually went on to have legendary matches across multiple promotions against some of the most iconic wrestlers of all-time.

After news of his death broke, Flair said in a post on X that Ole helped launch his career.

"I Will Be Grateful Forever For You Giving Me The Opportunity To Become Who I Am Today," Flair wrote. "We Didn’t Always Agree With Each Other, But The Honest To God Truth Is You & Gene Started Me. Rest In Peace My Friend!"

In addition to his time on the mat, Anderson also worked as a manager, promoter and even an exec in the wrestling world.

"AEW and the wrestling world mourn the passing of the legendary Ole Anderson," All Elite Wrestling officials said in a statement Monday night. "Our thoughts are with his family, his friends and his fans."

La superestrella de la WWE Grayson Waller dice que el mayor evento de Australia este fin de semana no es el concierto de Taylor Swift en Sydney, sino algo que sucede a 2.400 millas de distancia, ¡¡¡Elimination Chamber!!!

TMZ Sports habló con el nativo de Sydney antes del gran evento de lucha libre y aunque está feliz de ver a Tay Tay y Travis Kelce recorriendo sus antiguos terrenos mientras visitan la ciudad, dice que la verdadera atracción está en Perth.

El ícono australiano se burla del campeón del Super Bowl, comparándolo con un wombat (teniendo en cuenta que Traylor fue al zoológico esta semana) y acusando a Kelce de esquivarlo por estar tan lejos.

"No me sorprende que Travis haya volado hasta Sydney para estar tan lejos de mí en Australia", dijo Waller. "Estoy seguro de que darán un buen espectáculo, pero no es nada comparado con lo que yo hago".

Waller incluso extiende una invitación a los hermanos Kelce para que vayan a WrestleMania en Filadelfia en abril, diciendo que tiene todo el sentido, pues Jason es un Eagle y Taylor proviene de Pennsylvania.

Aunque dice que sería muy divertido, Waller cree que los Kelces no tendrían ninguna oportunidad en el ring, a pesar de que ambos son atletas de clase mundial.

WWE superstar Grayson Waller says the biggest must-see event in Australia this weekend ain't the Taylor Swift concert in Sydney ... it's something going down 2,400 miles away -- the Elimination Chamber!!

TMZ Sports spoke with the Sydney native ahead of the big wrestling event ... and while he's happy to see Tay Tay and Travis Kelce made their way through his old stomping grounds with the singer's tour in town, he says the REAL draw is over in Perth.

The Aussie Icon takes a few jabs at the Super Bowl champ -- playfully comparing him to a wombat (fitting, considering Traylor went to the zoo this week) and accusing Kelce of ducking him by being so far away.

"I'm not surprised that Travis flew all the way to Sydney to be as far away from me in Australia," Waller said. "I'm sure they'll put on a good show, but it's nothing compared to what I do."

Waller even extends an invite to the Kelce bros to hit up WrestleMania in Philly in April ... saying it all makes sense with Jason being an Eagle and Taylor hailing from Pennsylvania.

While he says it would be a lot of fun, Waller says the Kelces wouldn't stand a chance him in the ring ... despite Travis and Jason being world-class athletes.

Tammy Sytch is getting comfortable in her new digs -- a state prison in Florida -- after the WWE Hall of Famer was shipped off to the place she could call home until 2040.

51-year-old Sytch, who was sentenced to 17 years behind bars after she killed a man while driving drunk, also posed for a new mugshot ... and she doesn't exactly look thrilled.

The wrestling legend had been at the Florida Women's Reception Center in Ocala before she was moved to Lowell Correctional Institution ... just a mile away.

Lowell is an all-women's facility, the oldest in the state, and holds around 1,000 inmates.

Tammy's still got more than a decade and a half left on her sentence ... so she's got a lot of time to fill. Thankfully, LCI boasts several different programs for inmates like Tammy, including cosmetology and cooking classes.

There's even a vocational program on equine care -- AKA horses -- and operating heavy machinery.

The prison also offers aid to inmates battling alcohol addiction... something Sytch has struggled with over the years.

As for the grub at Lowell, it's not exactly like eating at a Michelin-starred restaurant, although perusing the menu ... it could be worse.

Lowell rotates four different menu options, over and over and over ... week 1, 2, and so on.

Sytch can look forward to breakfast options like "buttery oatmeal w/ brown sugar," pancakes, breakfast sausage patties, and scrambled eggs.

Lunch ... meatloaf, peanut butter and jelly, sloppy joe, and buffalo chicken are a few of the different foods.

As for dinner, Sytch will be served everything from a fish patty to turkey hot dogs (2 of 'em), chili mac, and even meatballs.

Tammy may also have an opportunity to hold down a job in prison ... though a rep for Lowell tells us she does not yet have a work assignment.

The UFC and WWE are now owned by the same company, and that couldn't be clearer Monday night ... UFC star Michael Chandler showed up to Raw and cut a wild promo, attacking "candy ass" Conor McGregor!

"What's up Anaheim? You are now in the presence of the most entertaining UFC fighter on the planet," Iron Mike screamed to the packed crowd at the Hondo Center, and then he took aim at The Notorious.

"There's a man from Ireland that's been making me wait way too long, and I still got one dude on my mind, Conor McGregor, get your candy ass back to the Octagon! We got some unfinished business boys, God bless! I'll see you at the top!"

It was a cool, unexpected moment ... and it likely won't be the last time a UFC star has the mic at a WWE event, and perhaps vice versa.

Last year, the UFC's parent company, Endeavor, merged with WWE ... creating TKO Group Holdings, an enormous company with a market cap of nearly $15 billion. The Rock sits on the company's board. Ari Emanuel is the CEO.

As for what Chandler said from just outside the squared circle, he took a shot at McGregor ... as the pair still doesn't have an official fight date despite almost a year passing since the men coached against each other on "The Ultimate Fighter."

Last month, it finally appeared the guys had decided on a date ... June 29 in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, there's been nothing set in stone since.

Sylvester Stallone dice que no le aconseja a los actores que hagan sus propias acrobacias en el mundo del cine, y 7 cirugías deberían servir de advertencia... ¿Escuchaste, Tom Cruise?

La legendaria estrella de acción hizo la revelación en un próximo episodio de su reality show de Paramount, "The Family Stallone", donde dijo que se había sometido a más de media docena de cirugías de espalda para hacerle frente a una lesión que sufrió en el set de "The Expendables" en 2010.

Básicamente, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin -que también está en la película- estaba golpeando el cuerpo de Sly en el set, y el Sly realmente estaba absorbiendo los golpes, yendo toma tras toma tras toma.

Hice cosas estúpidas. Estaba dirigiendo "Expendables" y, como un idiota, estaba haciendo la toma diez, la toma que fuera, y recuerdo un golpe y realmente pude sentir un "bang". Steve lo sabía. Nunca me recuperé de "Expendables 1". Después de esa película, nunca volví a ser físicamente el mismo".

Sly añade: "Le he advertido a la gente... no hagas tus propias acrobacias".

Stallone se fracturó el cuello y necesitaba una placa de metal insertado para estabilizar las cosas, y como señala en broma... su próximo papel podría ser Quasimodo en una versión del "Jorobado".

Sylvester Stallone says he doesn't advise actors to do their own stunts in the movie biz ... and 7 surgeries oughta serve as a warning -- you listening, Tom Cruise???

The legendary action star made the revelation in an upcoming episode of his Paramount reality show, "The Family Stallone," where he said he'd undergone more than half a dozen back surgeries to deal with an injury he suffered on the set of "The Expendables" back in 2010.

Basically, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin -- who's also in the movie -- was body-slamming Sly on set ... and the dude was actually absorbing the blows, going take after take after take.

He says, "I did stupid stuff. I was directing 'Expendables' and like an idiot I’m doing take ten, take whatever, and I remember one slam and I could actually feel one bang. Steve knew. I never recovered from Expendables 1. After that film, it was never physically the same."

Sly adds .. "I’ve warned people -- don’t do your own stunts."

SS fractured his neck and needed a metal plate inserted to stabilize things -- and as he jokingly notes ... his next role might be Quasimodo in a 'Hunchback' flick.

While he might be discussing it in jest on his show -- the injuries/surgeries are quite serious ... apparently, Sylvester's doctors have told him he might need artificial discs popped into his lower spine down the line, and his wife Jennifer Flavin says on the show it's tough on the family.

Dwayne Johnson popped off over accusations he was booed for not following through on aid to Maui ... calling the claim "false clickbait garbage" in a furious response on X.

Here's the deal ... Nick Sortor -- an internet personality who has appeared on networks like Fox News and Newsmax -- posted a video to Twitter showing people at a WWE event raining jeers down on The Rock.

Sortor claimed these people were berating Johnson for not following through on his promise to aid the island of Maui following the devastating wildfires last summer.

He even pointed to some fans' chanting in the vid ... claiming they were saying "Maui" over and over -- and if you listen to the clip, it does sound like that's exactly what they're yelling.

But, DJ wasn't having this interpretation of events -- instead hopping on X to slam Sortor's analysis and insisting he was being booed for playing "the heel" in a WWE press conference -- professional wrestling-ese for "the villain."

Johnson said he tries to stay above the social media fray generally, but decided to correct Nick because he used "Hawaii's tragic events to draw attention" to himself before explaining his own role of villain at the presser Thursday.

He went on to claim The People's Fund of Maui -- kicked off by himself and Oprah Winfrey in August with a $10 million donation -- has delivered more than $50 million to thousands of survivors who were affected by the fires.

He praised the resilience of those people whose lives were uprooted by the fires and wrote directly to Sortor "instead of posting bulls*** like this that you know is false - I encourage you to post something positive for Hawaii, for our Polynesian American people. Or actually take positive action and come to Hawaii to help out in an uplifting way."

He encouraged Nick to use his platform to lift up the people of Hawaii instead of trying to tear him down ... and apologized to "all our Poly/Hawaiian ohana of Maui, for shining light on this toxicity as you struggle through tough times."

BTW ... Sortor isn't backing down -- responding on X by saying he's also based in Hawaii and Dwayne has his contact info, so he's happy to meet Johnson whenever he wants.

FWIW ... a community note has been added to Sortor's tweet explaining the context of the booing video -- and the crowd may have been shouting "Maui" but that's also The Rock's character's name from the highly popular Disney movie "Moana," so it could've been yelled in a totally different context.

Dwayne Johnson estalló sobre las acusaciones de que fue abucheado por no seguir adelante con la ayuda a Maui, llamando a la afirmación "falsa basura clickbait" en una respuesta furiosa en X.

Nick Sortor -una personalidad de Internet que ha aparecido en redes como Fox News y Newsmax- publicó un video en Tuiter que muestra a la gente en un evento de la WWE abucheando a The Rock.

Sortor afirmó que estas personas estaban reprendiendo a Johnson por no cumplir su promesa de ayudar a la isla de Maui tras los devastadores incendios forestales del verano pasado.

Incluso se refirió a los cánticos de algunos fans en el video, afirmando que estaban diciendo "Maui" una y otra vez, y si escuchas el clip, parece que eso es exactamente lo que están gritando.

Pero Dwayne no tenía esta interpretación de los hechos, y apareció en X para criticar el análisis de Sortor e insistiendo en que estaba siendo abucheado por jugar "al villano" en una conferencia de prensa de la WWE.

Johnson dijo que trata de mantenerse por encima de la refriega de los medios de comunicación social en general, pero decidió corregir a Nick porque utilizó "los trágicos acontecimientos de Hawai para llamar la atención sobre sí mismo antes de explicar su propio papel de villano en la rueda de prensa del jueves".

Dwayne Johnson afirmó que el People's Fund de Maui, creado por él mismo y Oprah Winfrey en agosto con una donación de 10 millones de dólares, ha entregado más de 50 millones de dólares a miles de supervivientes afectados por los incendios.

Alabó la resistencia de las personas cuyas vidas fueron arrancadas de raíz por los incendios y escribió directamente a Sortor: "En lugar de publicar chorradas como esta, que sabes que son falsas, te animo a que publiques algo positivo para Hawái, para nuestro pueblo polinesio-americano. O realmente tomar una acción positiva y venir a Hawai para ayudar de una manera edificante".

Alentó a Nick a usar su plataforma para levantar a la gente de Hawai en lugar de tratar de derribarla y se disculpó con "todos nuestros Poly/Hawaiian ohana de Maui, por arrojar luz sobre esta toxicidad mientras luchas a través de tiempos difíciles".

A propósito, Sortor no da marcha atrás, respondiendo en X diciendo que tiene el contacto de Dwayne, por lo que está feliz de reunirse con él cuando quiera.

Otra cosa.... una nota de la comunidad se ha añadido al tuit de Sortor, explicando el contexto del video de abucheos, y la multitud puede haber estado gritando "Maui", pero ese es también el nombre del personaje de The Rock de la popular película de Disney "Moana", por lo que podría haber sido gritado en un contexto totalmente diferente.

El kickoff de WrestleMania de la WWE fue una locura, con la Roca dándole una cachetada a Cody Rhodes en la cara en una salvaje confrontación sobre el escenario.

El incidente tuvo lugar en Las Vegas el jueves, en donde Roman Reigns se dirigió a la multitud y anunció que se enfrentará a Dwayne Johnson en Filadelfia, afirmando que es su decisión y que no hay nada que Cody pueda hacer al respecto.

En ese momento apareció La Roca y tomó el micrófono, diciendo que sin importar lo que la gente piense, ellos respetarán el combate, ya que la Roca y Roman provienen de The Bloodline, las familias samoanas con la historia más rica dentro de la lucha libre.

Todo parecía escrito en piedra mientras se daban la mano, pero Cody no estaba de acuerdo. Subió al escenario y llamó "bulls***" a todo el asunto, ya que él ganó el Royal Rumble y se ganó el derecho a entrar en el ring con Roman.

Los chicos intercambiaron desagradables insultos sobre las familias de cada uno y cuando Cody les dijo que los abuelos de Roman y Rock estarían avergonzados de ver en qué se han convertido, el Campeón del Pueblo perdió la cabeza y golpeó a Rhodes en la boca.

Todas las partes fueron separadas y escoltadas fuera del escenario, pero esto no se detuvo allí, ya que un furioso la Roca se enfrentó al jefe de contenido de la WWE Triple H después, diciéndole que hiciera algo sobre la falta de respeto de Rhodes o lo manejaría él mismo.

Después de que todo se calmó, la WWE aparentemente se puso del lado de Rhodes, revelando que Cody obtendrá su deseo y se enfrentará a Roman en WrestleMania 40.

WWE's WrestleMania Kickoff was nothing short of bonkers ... with The Rock straight-up slapping Cody Rhodes in the face in a wild on-stage confrontation!!

The whole event went down in Las Vegas on Thursday ... with Roman Reigns addressing the crowd and announcing he will face off against Dwayne Johnson in Philadelphia -- claiming it's his decision and there's nothing Cody can do about it.

Rock then showed up and hopped on the mic ... saying no matter what people think of the controversial matchup, they WILL respect it -- as Rock and Roman come from The Bloodline, the Samoan families with the richest history in professional wrestling.

Everything seemed set in stone as both guys shook hands -- but Cody wasn't having it ... taking the stage and calling the whole thing "bulls***," as he won the Royal Rumble and earned the right to enter the squared circle with Roman.

The guys traded nasty insults about each other's families ... and when Cody said Roman and Rock's grandparents would be ashamed of what they have become, The People's Champ lost it -- rocking Rhodes right in the mouth.

All sides needed to be separated and escorted off the stage ... but it didn't stop there, as a livid Rock confronted WWE chief content officer Triple H afterward, telling him to do something about Rhodes' disrespect -- or he'd handle it himself.

After it all died down, the WWE apparently sided with Rhodes in the whole ordeal ... revealing Cody would get his wish and take on Roman at WrestleMania 40.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson se metió de lleno en su personaje para destruir a cualquiera que odie la nueva narrativa con Roman Reigns, y de paso, llamando a todos los "llorones" de Cody Rhodes a que "¡¡¡callen sus putos traseros!!!"

Tras su polémico regreso en SmackDown la semana pasada, la leyenda de la WWE se unió a "The Pat McAfee Show" para abordar su decisión de volver al ring, así como las críticas que ha recibido por aparentemente robarle el sitial a American Nightmare.

Como informamos anteriormente, un montón de fans de la lucha libre han expresado su molestia con la idea que La Roca reemplace a Cody en un combate contra Reigns en WrestleMania.

La Roca dejó claro que nada está escrito en piedra, y aunque tiene un gran respeto por Rhodes, su familia y sus fans, se siente diametralmente diferente sobre a los odiosos fans de Cody, a quienes califica de "llorones de Cody".

El actor se burló de los fans que están detrás de la campaña #WeWantCody y que están volviéndose locos ante la posibilidad que se estropeen los planes de Rhodes con Reigns, y es legítimo y bastante clásico.

"La Roca dice esto", dijo Johnson en el programa. "Todo lo que tienes que hacer es sentarte, conocer tu rol, cerrar la boca y disfrutar del paseo al que te llevará La Roca. Así que hagan hashtag esto, hashtag aquello, ¡cállense la puta boca!, hashtag llorones de Cody.

Como informamos anteriormente, los fans de Cody le mostraron una tonelada de amor en "Raw" a principios de esta semana, y él acaba de revelar que ya tomó la decisión sobre qué hacer con su combate en WrestleMania.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson got in full character to destroy anyone hating his new storyline with Roman Reigns ... calling on all the "crybaby" Cody Rhodes fans to "shut your bitch asses up!!"

Fresh off his controversial return on SmackDown last week, the WWE legend joined "The Pat McAfee Show" to address his decision to get back in the squared-circle ... as well as the criticism he's gotten for seemingly stealing the American Nightmare's thunder.

As we previously reported, a TON of wrestling fans are super pissed ... with the belief being Rock is boxing out Cody from a hyped-up match with Reigns at WrestleMania.

Rock made it clear nothing is set in stone in regard to the three moving pieces ... and while he has great respect for Rhodes, his family and his fans -- he feels the exact opposite about the annoying backers he refers to as "Cody crybabies."

The actor mocked the "grown ass men" behind the #WeWantCody campaign who are losing their minds over Rhodes' potentially spoiled plans with Reigns ... and it is legitimately classic stuff.

"The Rock says this," Johnson said on the show. "All you gotta do is sit back, know your role, shut your mouth and enjoy the ride that the Rock is gonna take your candy asses on. So hashtag that, hashtag shut your bitch asses up, hashtag Cody crybabies."

As we previously reported, Cody's fans showed him a ton of love on "Raw" earlier this week ... and he just recently revealed he's made his decision on what to do with his WrestleMania match.