WWE

Dwight Howard hasn't fully committed to retirement from the NBA, but there is one sport we'll never see him in again -- as he tells TMZ Sports his wrestling dreams are over ... and it's all thanks to Ric Flair!!

We caught up with the former Lakers center out in L.A. this week ... and as he gets ready to enter into the world of tangos and waltzes on this season of "Dancing With The Stars" -- we just had to ask how his WWE aspirations were going.

You'll recall, back in 2022, he actually tried out for the org. ... and one of the promos he cut went so viral -- many expected him to enter the biz when his hooping career officially finishes.

WWE's Monday Night Raw went down live in Calgary on Monday ... and the wrestling promotion and one of its Superstars paid tribute to the lives of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, after an alleged drunk driver tragically killed the brothers.

The emotional tribute in Calgary -- where Johnny spent the first seven years of his NHL career -- started off with Sami Zayn rockin' a Flames jersey with Gaudreau's number 13 as fans in the arena sang along to his music.

It didn't stop there ... after a segment involving Zayn, WWE kicked it to reporters outside the arena, showing off a massive display fans created outside the arena in honor of the brothers.

Nina Agdal is spending her final days of pregnancy in the buff ... rocking her birthday suit for a recent maternity photo shoot -- and the camera guy was none other than papa-to-be Logan Paul!!

The engaged couple documented their special getaway in Millbrook, New York before becoming parents ... where they spent quality time out on the lake and experienced all the little village had to offer.

At one point in the trip, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model got naked and propped herself up on a rock to display her growing baby bump for a few pics ... and she looks stunning.

Artem Chigvintsev's domestic violence arrest is moving along ... 'cause the Napa County Sheriff just turned the case over to the D.A. -- and, formal charges could be coming.

Napa County D.A. Spokesperson Carlos Villatoro tells TMZ ... their office is currently reviewing the case, and no decision has been made yet on charges the pro dancer may face.

We're told the D.A. will make a decision after a thorough review of the case and will then make a public announcement.

Nikki Bella is on the hunt for a divorce lawyer ... TMZ has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Nikki has been making calls since Friday, and we're told her intention is to file to end her marriage to Artem Chigvintsev.

Nikki began the search a day after Artem allegedly attacked her, resulting in some physical injury that triggered his arrest for felony domestic violence.

WWE Superstar Kairi Sane put it all on the line Monday Night ... jumping from the top turnbuckle to the ring floor, leaving her with a gnarly eye injury!

The scene went down in Denver during Monday Night Raw -- as Sane and her tag team partner Iyo Sky -- took on Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn in a number one contender match for the WWE Women's Tag Team Titles.

After making her way to the top rope ... Sane attempted to take out Bianca Belair -- who was standing ringside for the match. However, Sane got a little too much airtime ... missing her target and smacking her face on the announcer's table at ringside.

Joey Chestnut and his longtime nemesis Takeru Kobayashi went head-to-head in a hot dog eating contest for the first time in 15 years ... with Joey winning in a landslide and setting a record in the process.

The rivals matched up Monday on 'Unfinished Beef,' a Netflix special live from Las Vegas, and stuffed their faces full of wieners and buns ... with a huge crowd cheering them on.

Joey cruised to victory ... leading all the way. When the 10-minute timer expired, Joey's total sat at 83 hot dogs ... compared to a final tally of 66 for Kobayahsi.

Nikki Bella was seen for the first time since Artem Chigvintsev's domestic violence arrest ... and her bare ring finger speaks volumes about the state of their marriage.

The former WWE star was just spotted in Oakland, boarding a private plane with a gal pal ... likely headed to Las Vegas where she'll be cohosting Netflix's live hotdog eating competition, "Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef" Monday.

Bella hopped on the plane with a big grin, hat pulled low over her eyes ... but, obviously, everyone's looking at her finger -- 'cause she's ditched her wedding ring after a tumultuous week.

The radio dispatch from the Artem Chigvintsev domestic violence case reveals ... he did indeed call 911 to request medical assistance, but then added his wife, Nikki Bella, had thrown shoes at him.

TMZ has obtained the dispatch call, in which the dispatcher says, "Initially came in as requesting medical, but now he is stating he got into an argument with his wife and his wife threw shoes at rp [reporting party]."

The dispatcher notes, "There is a child on scene. Medical en route," adding, "There's an active 415 [disturbing the peace] in the background responsible."

Nikki Bella admitted she and Artem Chigvintsev struggled with communicating ... saying back in 2021 she and her husband went to couples therapy because of how he spoke to her.

The former WWE star opened up about jumping on the therapist's couch with the pro dancer during an episode of Kaitlyn Bristowe's podcast "Off the Vine" back in 2021 ... after Bristowe revealed she didn't know if Artem liked her on "Dancing with the Stars."

Kaitlyn won 'DWTS' alongside Artem in 2020 -- but she says she didn't know how Artem felt about her because of the way he spoke to her ... and Nikki details a similar experience, saying she nearly quit because of his demeanor.

8:25 AM PT -- Nikki Bella's rep tells TMZ, "This is a private matter, and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time."

Artem Chigvintsev -- now accused of felony domestic violence -- himself called 911 after he allegedly battered someone in his home ... and minutes later he called back and told 911 never mind ... TMZ has learned.

As TMZ reported, Artem was arrested Thursday morning in Napa, California, where he lives with his wife, Nikki Garcia (aka Nikki Bella).

3:01 PM PT -- According to county records, Artem Chigvintsev was released at 2:18 PM PT.

We now know how the alarm was sounded when someone at Artem Chigvintsev's home called 911.

Sources connected to the investigation tell TMZ ... a call came in around 8:30 AM, reporting a "medical emergency" at the home. It's unclear who made the call.

Gable Steveson's NFL journey has encountered a setback -- the Buffalo Bills just waived the former two-time national wrestling champion and Olympic gold medalist ahead of the 2024 season.

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo broke the news on Tuesday ... saying the Bills opted to leave the developmental product off their initial 53-man roster, as all 32 teams need to get down to that number by 1 PM PST.

The 2020 Tokyo Games star signed a three-year deal with Buffalo this past May ... after he was released from the WWE, which he joined in 2021.

WWE Superstar Liv Morgan might have the Women's World Championship AND Rhea Ripley's man, but she's not ready to make her "Revenge Tour" a thing of the past just yet ... telling TMZ Sports there's still some gas left in that tank!!

Liv's been on a mission ever since she returned from the shoulder injury she suffered at the hands of Ripley last year ... doing everything in her power to make her nemesis' life a living hell in 2024.

That all came to a head at SummerSlam earlier this month ... when Morgan defeated Ripley to retain the belt -- then stole "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio in the process.

Bryan Danielson is staring down the barrel of what could be the last match of his wrestling career ... but, if he ends up beating Swerve Strickland for the AEW title, he'd love to become the face of AEW!

Danielson chopped it up with Mojo Muhtadi on the TMZ Sports TV show (airs nightly on FS1) to discuss his Title Vs. Career match going down this Sunday at AEW All In.

While people are busy reflecting on the career of BD -- with speculation he could be done after the match -- he told us if he were to win Sunday, he'd welcome a role he's rarely been allowed to fill ... being considered "The Man."

Bryan Danielson -- known to WWE fans as Daniel Bryan -- is taking part in what could be his last wrestling match ever ... and if that is the case -- what will his legacy be?

Well, according to Nikki Bella -- whose twin sister, Brie, is married to Danielson -- he'll be remembered as one of the G.O.A.T's!!!

TMZ Sports caught up with the former WWE Superstar out in L.A. this week and got her thoughts on her brother-in-law's Title Vs. Career match this Sunday at AEW All In ... which could mark the end of his legendary career.