10 Fascinating WWE WrestleMania 25 Facts
7. Rourke Brought UFC Fighters To WrestleMania, In Case Jericho Double-Crossed Him
Ultimately, Rourke backed out of a scheduled clash with Jericho, deferring to his managers' belief that a wrestling match might damage his grand return to A-lister status. Rourke and Jericho were scheduled for a split-screen interview on Larry King Live, and Jericho decided he would try to goad Rourke into reconsidering. The award-winning actor misinterpreted Jericho's kayfabed barbs as authentic disrespect (fighting words, they say), and decided to bring back-up with him for his guest WrestleMania appearance.
Rourke's high-profile 'Mania shot was negotiated down to hitting Jericho with a few punches, and the two would rehearse the spot the night before the show. As Jericho approached the ring, he noticed Rourke had with him MMA legends Frank Shamrock and Josh Barnett, as well as an Israeli bounty hunter in fatigues.
Jericho didn't realize (until Rourke brought it up) that Rourke took real issue with his taunts, and brought the entourage with him to hurt Jericho if he tried anything funny. Jericho managed to diffuse the situation by calmly explaining that it was all an act, and was relieved when Rourke finally understood, even laughing that he, an Oscar-nominated actor, had been "out-acted".