EXCLUSIVE

WWE superstar Darren Young was in the grip of a force more powerful than John Cena when he decided to come out of the closet ... and that force is love.

WWE sources tell TMZ ... Young told the wrestling org. he is "deeply in love" with his boyfriend of 2 years ... a man named Nick (pictured above with Young). We're told Young -- whose real name is Fred Rosser -- has been living with Nick for some time now in Florida.

Our WWE sources say Young told them Nick was actually the driving force in his decision to come out.

As you know ... Young dropped the bombshell on a TMZ photog at LAX earlier this week. Since then ... he's received a ton of support, from wrestling superstars including John Cena himself. He also got a call of support from fellow gay professional athlete Jason Collins.