Despite saying he was backing down, Mickey Rourke clambered into the WrestleMania 25 ring to go mano-a-mano with Chris Jericho!
Rourke, 56, had challenged the grappler back In January flush with the award nabbing success of The Wrestler, saying he’d spar with Jericho, 38, at the WWE anniversary event.
Jericho responded with a little trash talk, "I don’t have respect for you… Be careful what you wish for, Mr. Rourke", promising to make mince meat of Mickey!
But then "Mad Man" Mickey had been forced to back down citing contractual obligations to Iron Man 2 kvetching, "I can’t get in the ring."
Sitting ringside, Mickey watched as Jericho demolished 3 other pros before taunting and challenging the actor to a final showdown.
To the delight of the assembled masses, Rourke flung his cowboy hat aside and jumped into the ring, landing a punch that sent Jericho reeling. (SEE VIDEO BELOW)
Mickey was then joined in the ring by Ric Flair to savor the moment of triumph as the Wrestle-maniacs went wild.
Hey, it’s all show business – isn’t it? And there’s always a rematch.
