"Wrestler" indeed 'Mania bound

"Wrestler" indeed 'Mania bound

The buzz grew to a deafening pitch recently as the relationship between Mickey Rourke and WWE has become the subject of a great deal of speculation: Is the star of the critically-acclaimed film "The Wrestler" participating in the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania or isn't he? Will the actor, who won a Golden Globe for his performance, be in attendance or not?

Much of the conjecture began following Rourke's appearance on CNN's Larry King Live Tuesday night. Before Chris Jericho dropped by via satellite and exchanged words with the actor, Rourke told the cable interviewer that he had "tremendous respect" for WWE's Superstars and would like to attend the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania in Houston on April 5. "I want to do anything I can," said Rourke, "to support those guys."

Shortly after Jericho interrupted the star's appearance on Larry King Live, a publicist for Rourke, an Oscar nominee for his role as Randy "The Ram" Robinson, wrote an e-mail to the media that stated he "will not be participating in WrestleMania. He is focusing entirely on his acting career."

As conjecture continues to swirl, WWE.com has learned that while Rourke will not be participating in the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania in Houston on April 5, WWE has, in fact, invited the actor to the event and looks forward to his attendance -- as a guest of the company.

When asked to clarify Rourke's relationship with WWE, WWE Officials said that they looked forward to the actor being present at WrestleMania.

"We are pleased that Mickey Rourke will be in attendance at WrestleMania to support the WWE Superstars who support him and the film in which he stars, The Wrestler," WWE Officials explained.

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