Rooney Floors WWE Wrestling Giant In Stunt

Manchester United footballer Wayne Rooney has taken on 6ft 7in Wade Barrett after the wrestler goaded him.

Rooney was at the WWE RAW event at Manchester Arena with son Kai, six, and former team mates Ryan Giggs and Darren Fletcher.

After Barrett spotted Rooney in the front row, the 35-year-old took the microphone and said: "In this ring are two men who can be easily described as championship material - which is, of course, more than can be said of Wayne Rooney and Manchester United."

Then, referring to Rooney's eldest son, Barrett added: "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 the football pitch."

In the staged scene, Rooney, 30, then left his chair and challenged Barrett to a fight.

In front of thousands of fans, the pair sized each other up and Rooney landed a slap across Barrett's face - leaving the fighter sprawled on the floor.

A WWE source told Sportsmail: "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."