Wrestler challenges 'The Barack' to get in the ring

WWE wrestler Kofi Kingston says President Obama has an open invitation to face off with him in the ring.

“Anytime he wants to show up on ‘Monday Night Raw,’ we would welcome him with open arms,” the wrestling champ says.

But Kingston — whose signature move is a little number called “Trouble in Paradise” — admits the president could make for a fierce competitor, saying, “I don’t know if I’d want to go toe-to-toe with Obama, he’s a tough dude. But you know I would definitely capitalize on the opportunity if I did get it.”

ITK caught up with the 31-year-old entertainer at the National Guard Youth Challenge Program’s gala event Tuesday at the J.W. Marriott in downtown Washington. The soiree served as a tribute to the Guard’s efforts to curb the high school dropout rate.

Supporting the event for the third year in a row, Kingston said he even had a few ideas for a drama-filled WWE storyline involving the commander-in-chief. 

Saying Obama’s wrestling name could be “The Barack,” Kingston told us with a grin, “And you know, it might not be me that he’d face, it would be [fellow wrestler Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson]. It would be a battle over the name, a little copyright infringement.”

He added, “You know The Rock might be mad that The Barack is trying to steal his name. Or they could be a heck of a tag team. Or who knows? You never know what’s going to happen in the WWE.”

Other notables spotted at the event included National Guard Youth Foundation co-chairwoman Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.), country music star LeAnn Rimes, who looked slim amid baby bump buzz, wearing sky-high black boots and a black dress, Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Rep. Gregg Harper (R-Miss.), NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rep. Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.), and actor and producer Ricky Schroder.

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) and Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) were among the lawmakers honored for their work with the group.

Photo courtesy of National Guard Youth Foundation