THE parents of Gwynedd’s grappling hero told of their joy at his latest step on the road to international wrestling fame.
Malcolm and Carys Griffiths' son Barri,27, of Tremadog recently won the Florida Championship Wrestling heavyweight championship just six months after starting with the company on a WWE developmental contract.
Malcolm said: “We were really chuffed that he had done it so quickly.”
Carys added: “It’s fantastic -he told us about the win, then the announced it on Facebook the following day and next thing people were stopping us in the street.”
Barri started training in with Welsh wrestling legend Orig Williams and All Star Wrestling promoter Brian Dixon in 2006.
He went full time since 2007 and has since competed across the UK, Europe and in Africa.
Carys said that Orig, who died in November last year, played an important role in Barri’s success.
“Orig was so supportive and Barri would tell you himself that he wouldn’t be where he is now if not for Orig,” she said. “Orig would be so proud as he said that he had been looking for a new Welsh wrestler for 20 years.”
He signed a developmental deal with WWE in 2009 and started at FCW, the company’s feeder league, in January.
Barri, who wrestles as Mason Ryan, won the FCW title in a triple threat match against then champion Alex Riley and Johnny Curtis in July.
He pinned Curtis after pulling off a swinging Rock Bottom slam.
Barri, who found fame as Goliath on Sky TV’s Gladiators, told the FCW website that it was his destiny to win the belt go on to WWE glory.
He added: “Now, I will dominate FCW until the whole world stands up and takes notice, and Mason Ryan will become champion of the world!"
World of Sport legend Adrian Street and current TNA star Rob Terry are the only two Welsh wrestlers to make an impact stateside.
However, Malcolm backed his son to be a big success in the success in WWE.
“This is a step up to the next level and it is well within his reach if he carries like he has,” he said.