Barri Griffiths
| Mason Ryan | |
|---|---|
 Mason Ryan as the FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion in October 2010. | |
| Ring name(s) | Barri Griffiths Celtic Warrior Mason Ryan Smackdown Warrior |
| Weight | 20 st (280 lb; 127 kg) |
| Billed height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
| Billed weight | 272 lb (123 kg) 298 lb (135 kg) |
| Born | 13 January 1982 Tremadog, Wales(age 29) |
| Billed from | Cardiff, Wales |
| Trained by | Orig Williams Brian Dixon FCW Training |
| Debut | 2007 |
Barri Griffiths (born 13 January 1982) is a Welsh professional wrestler and former Gladiators competitor, also known as Goliath and by his ring name Mason Ryan. He is signed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), where he wrestles on the Raw brand, and is a member of The Nexus. He also competes in Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), a WWE developmental territory.
Gladiators
Griffiths appeared in the second series of the revived Gladiators television show in 2009, and competed under the name "Goliath". When he was working on a television show in Wales about being a wrestler, he was told that producers were looking for new gladiators, and he applied with the encouragement of his trainer, Orig Williams. He began filming the first show approximately a month later and had to grow a beard especially for the role.
Professional wrestling career
Griffiths began training to be a professional wrestler in 2006 after attending a wrestling show with a friend where the promoter recommended he start wrestling. He trained at a professional wrestling school in Birkenhead. Prior to appearing on Gladiators, Griffiths had wrestled under the names "Celtic Warrior" and "Smackdown Warrior" since 2007, and had competed in almost 100 matches in countries including Egypt and Venezuela. He represented the UK in a 'Battle of the Nations' tag team match between the UK and Austria, teaming with Drew McDonald and Sheamus O'Shaunessy in a losing effort to , , and at the European Wrestlng Association's Night of Gladiators show in June 2007. After signing with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), Griffiths had his final show in Wales at in October 2008, where he first won a singles match, before winning a battle royal.
World Wrestling Entertainment
Florida Championship Wrestling (2009–present)
In mid-2009, Griffiths signed a five-year contract with WWE. When he received his work visa, he debuted in their developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) in January 2010. Under the name Mason Ryan, he competed against wrestlers including Johnny Curtis, Tyler Reks, Johnny Prime, and Hunico in his first matches.
On 22 July, Ryan won a triple threat match against defending champion Alex Riley and Johnny Curtis by pinning Riley to win the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship for the first time. Over the next few months, Ryan successfully defended the championship against wrestlers including Bo Rotundo, Richie Steamboat, and Eli Cottonwood. At the tapings of FCW television on 2 September, Ryan successfully defended the championship against Johnny Curtis when FCW commentator Byron Saxton interfered and aided him. The following week, Saxton became aligned with Ryan, accompanying him to the ring and acting as his manager. In November 2010, Ryan toured Europe with the SmackDown brand, defeating Chavo Guerrero in Belfast on 4 November and again in Liverpool on 6 November. On 3 February 2011, Ryan lost the Florida Heavyweight Championship to Bo Rotundo, following a six-and-a-half month reign.
The Nexus (2011)
Griffiths made his WWE television debut on the 17 January 2011 episode of Raw by interfering in a match between CM Punk and John Cena. Following his interference, Punk presented him with a 'Nexus' armband, inducting him into the group. Ryan then participated in the 2011 Royal Rumble match. On 7 February Ryan had his debut match on Raw when he lost to R-Truth via disqualification. In late February, it was announced that Punk would face Randy Orton at WrestleMania XXVII, with each member of The Nexus facing Orton to win the right to accompany Punk to the ring in the weeks leading up to WrestleMania. Ryan was the final member to face Orton, but lost on the March 14 episode of Raw. Following the match, Orton punted Ryan in the head.
Other media
Griffiths has appeared on The Paul O'Grady Show. Barri Griffiths: Y Reslar, a documentary about Griffiths' life in the months before he moved to the United States, aired in September 2010 on S4C.
Personal life
Griffiths attended both Ysgol y Gorlan primary school in Tremadog, Wales and Ysgol Eifionydd secondary school in Porthmadog, before studying construction management at Cardiff University for 18 months. Griffiths worked as a trainee carpenter, and in his family's funeral home business prior to becoming a professional wrestler. He has a sister. He speaks Welsh. Griffiths played football as a centre-back for Welsh Premier League side Porthmadog F.C., but had to stop due to a knee injury. He is a keen weightlifter.
In wrestling
Championships and accomplishments
References
External links
- WWE profile
- Online World of Wrestling profile
- Gladiators profile
- Barri Griffiths at the Internet Movie Database
Retrieved from : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barri_Griffiths
