Wayne Rooney SLAPS Wade Barrett at WWE RAW after 6ft 7in wrestler trash talks Manchester United superstar from the ring
- Wayne Rooney attended RAW with former Manchester United team-mates Ryan Giggs and Darren Fletcher
- Rooney took his six-year-old son, Kai, to the wrestling at the Manchester Arena on Monday night
- Manchester United striker was called out by Wade Barrett who goaded him from the big screen
- England international called the 6ft 7in behemoth down to ringside before theatrically slapping him to the floor
- The pair have previous after Preston fan Wade criticised the striker for diving to win a penalty in a FA Cup defeat
- See more news and updates on Wayne Rooney's theatrical showdown with Wade Barrett
The Manchester United and England captain hit Briton Wade Barrett at the Manchester Arena after the wrestler trash-talked him.
Rooney, 30, was sat in the front row with his son Kai, six, last night when Lancashire-born Barrett grabbed the microphone and said: 'In this ring are two men who can be easily be described as championship material.
'Which is, of course, is more than can be said of Wayne Rooney and Manchester United.'
Footage shows the professional wrestler and former bare-knuckle boxer climbing down to confront Rooney before the footballer knocked him down in a theatrical climax to the mock battle, resulting in huge cheers from the crowd.
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Wayne Rooney lands a theatrical slap on Wade Barrett after being called out by the wrestler at WWE RAW in Manchester
Shouting match: Rooney points his finger at Barrett and fellow WWE star Sheamus, right, who was part of the skit
Excitement: Wayne Rooney was part of WWE's RAW live show from Manchester. His son Kai Last night's fight was a culmination of a previous row between the pair on Twitter, dating back to last February when Barrett, whose real name is Stu Bennett, accused Rooney for diving during a FA Cup clash against his beloved Preston North End.
The Manchester United and England captain attended the Raw show along with Old Trafford assistant manager Ryan Giggs and former team-mate, now at West Bromwich Albion, Darren Fletcher.
The trio were pictured backstage before the event, smiling alongside former World Wrestling Entertainment champion John Bradfield Layfield.
But things soon turned 'heated' for Rooney as he arrived at his ringside seats with his six-year-old son, Kai.
After spotting the record England goalscorer in the front row, Manchester-wrestler Wade Barrett attempted to humiliate the 30-year-old striker on the microphone.
Behemoth Barrett, 35, goaded the England international, saying: 'In this ring are two men who can be easily be described as championship material. Which is, of course, more than can be said of Wayne Rooney and Manchester United.'
Barrett then made his insult personal as he made reference to Rooney's eldest son.
He sneered: 'I'd hate for your little boy to sit there and watch his own father fail. Because let's face it, he gets to experience that every single time you step on a football pitch.'
The rant prompted Rooney to rise from his chair and challenge the one-time bare knuckle boxer Barrett to a fight. And moments later the pair came to blows with Rooney landing a thumping slap across the wrestler's face.
The frenzied Manchester crowd chanted Rooney's name as the striker's blow left Barrett sprawling on the floor. The incident - true to professional wrestling - was of course scripted and England skipper Rooney 'revelled' his role.
Afterwards, Barrett tweeted: 'I'm heading to Old Trafford early tomorrow morning. I hope @WayneRooney has the guts to meet me there.' He then added: 'Does anyone have Phil Bardsley's phone number?' 
Trash talk: Barrett goaded the England star, saying 'I'd hate for your little boy to sit there and watch his own father fail'
Gesture: But Rooney refuses to accept the wrestler's words, beckoning him to come and meet him by the side of the ring
Confrontation: Rooney may have initially regretted his stance, as 6ft 7in Barrett jumped down from the ring to speak with him
Slap attack: Rooney responds to being goaded by slapping Barrett, as son Kai watches on (centre) and fans cheer
A WWE source, speaking to Sportsmail, said: 'It was brilliant. Wayne was in great spirits before the event and he happily agreed to take part in the stunt with Wade Barrett. The fans absolutely loved it and I'm sure his son Kai would have enjoyed it too.'
Rooney, of course, is no stranger to 'pretend' fighting after a video of him apparently being knocked out by Phil Bardsley went viral in March.
'How about that @WayneRooney dive vs @PNEFC?' Wade tweeted at the time to his legion of over one million followers.
Friends: Rooney poses with former team-mates Ryan Giggs (2nd left) and Darren Fletcher (right) and ex-WWE star John Bradshaw Layfield
Rooney tweeted this image of the United contingent with wrestling legend Ric Flair
The United striker, with Fletcher and Giggs, also met Triple H - Hunter Hearst Helmsley to his nearest and dearest
Barrett has previous with Rooney after accusing the striker of diving to win a penalty against his team Preston in last year's FA Cup
England striker Rooney smiles as he poses with his young son Kai on his Instagram account earlier on Monday
'He won't need to dive when I catch up with him. #BullHammer #BNB.'
Rooney attempted to diffuse the situation by claiming he would bring in WWE Heavyweight Champion 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin to help him out, saying: '@WadeBarrett ill get stone cold Steve Austin out of retirement for you. Haha'.
In true WWE fashion, CEO Vince McMahon then offered to stage a tag team bout with Rooney and Austin taking on Barrett and, now retired Preston striker, Kevin Davies.
'.@WayneRooney you and @steveaustinBSR Vs me and @Kevin__Davies at Wrestlemania in 6 weeks. Get it booked @VinceMcMahon,' he said.
Austin, a retired former WWE champion with over three million followers on Twitter, made a late entrance to the conversation by telling Rooney: 'Embrace the baldness. And that's the bottom line...'
