The Latest On Mickey Rourke vs. Chris Jericho At 'Mania 25

Reuters news service published a story today questioning whether Mickey Rourke is actually signed for a WrestleMania 25 appearance to wrestle Chris Jericho after Rourke appeared to back down from Chris Jericho last night Larry King Live. When Larry King asked Rourke if he will wrestle Jericho, Rourke said no. "It's not my world, I was a professional fighter. Would I box him in a boxing ring or a bare-knuckle match? Yeah," Rourke said. "Wrestling? That's his world, that's what this man does." That did not please Jericho, who told Rourke he had no respect for the actor and playing a wrestler in a movie is nothing like being one in real life. So will the two actually end up fighting in the ring? WWE is playing up the spat for all it's worth, even without pledging that Rourke will show up at WrestleMania. A WWE spokesperson told Reuters that "Rourke is still in talks" to appear at WrestleMania. "You never know what's going to happen at the 25th anniversary of WrestleMania."

The following was also issued by the Associated Press today:

Rourke ready to rumble in Houston

HOUSTON (AP) ? Listen up wrestlin' fans: actor Mickey Rourke says he's ready to rumble with WWE superstar Chris Jericho at Wrestlemania 25 in Reliant Stadium on April 5.

Rourke portrays professional wrestler Randy the Ram in the acclaimed movie "The Wrestler."

He's signed to wrestle Jericho, for real.

He made a surprise announcement Sunday night on the red carpet before the Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles.

He said he was pleased by the acceptance of the movie by all the WWE wrestlers ? except Jericho.

Then Rourke said he was going to toss Jericho "around the ring like tossed salad."

Meanwhile, Jericho, appearing on WWE television, said, Rourke was out of line and that he was offended by Rourke's comments. He said Rourke made "a mistake."

Stay tuned.