Wayne Rooney slaps WWE star after taunts

England striker Wayne Rooney (L) had a previous Twitter spat with WWE wrestler Wade Barrett. Photo / YouTube

Louis van Gaal, look away now. Wayne Rooney put a brash 6ft 7in WWE superstar firmly in his place by hitting him in front of thousands of fans at the Manchester Arena on Monday night (UK time).

The Manchester United and England captain attended the Raw show along with Old Trafford No 2 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?"

I'm heading to Old Trafford early tomorrow morning. I hope @WayneRooney has the guts to meet me there. @ManUtd @WWE

— Stu Bennett (@StuBennett) November 10, 2015

Does anyone have Phil Bardsley's phone number?

— Stu Bennett (@StuBennett) November 10, 2015

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.

And Monday's incident in Manchester 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) cited Rooney for "diving" during a FA Cup clash against his beloved Preston North End.

"How about that @WayneRooney dive vs @PNEFC?" Wade tweeted at the time to his legion of over one million followers.

"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..."

England manager Roy Hodgson will be hoping Rooney can take aim in Friday's international against Spain in Alicante.

Rooney has managed just two Premier League goals this season but club boss Van Gaal has backed him get through his drought.

"I still have confidence in Rooney," said the Dutchman recently.

"He is a fantastic player but the expectation (on him) is much higher than any other player at another club. You have to also give players time to come back in a certain shape and that is what we are doing."

The WWE, meanwhile, conclude their 10-day tour of the UK in Minehead this weekend.

- Daily Mail