I got slapped by Wayne Rooney – lots went through my head and I'm open to fight

WWE commentator Wade Barrett has rekindled his rivalry with Wayne Rooney - as he invited the football legend to a tussle in the wrestling ring.

The now-retired superstar has swapped the squared circle for a seat behind the commenting desk since his viral interaction with the Manchester United icon back at a Raw event in Manchester in November 2015.

After jawing back and forth with Rooney, Barrett exited the ring to square up with then-United captain, who was ringside before he was dropped to the floor following a vicious slap by Rooney.

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Both men have been on different paths since then with Barrett, 43, becoming one of the best colour commentators in wrestling. Rooney, on the other hand, has ventured into football management and is now boss of Championship outfit Plymouth Argyle.

Speaking exclusively to Manchester Evening News, Barrett explained why he didn't retaliate after Rooney laid hands on him. "Wayne Rooney is lucky that he can afford better lawyers than I can," the WWE star remarked. "That's what I'll say. I think we're a physical mismatch. I'm twice the size of Wayne Rooney. I think if I had responded at that moment, there would have been plenty of lawsuits coming my way. He was still an active player for England.

"He was still an active player for Manchester United and I'm sure whoever the managers were at that point in time would not have been very happy with Wade Barrett placing his hands on the English golden boy Wayne Rooney. A number of factors played in my head very quickly when I