GWYNEDD’S grappling hero has made history by becoming the first Welshman ever to appear on the world’s biggest wrestling TV show.
Barri Griffiths, 29, of Tremadog, shocked the wrestling world when he appeared on main event of WWE Raw on Monday as the latest member of the evil Nexus group.
The 6ft 6 inch grappler’s big debut was even a surprise to his proud father Malcolm, who found out from stunned Tremadog residents the next morning.
He said:”I haven’t even had a chance to speak to Barri about it yet - he hadn’t said that he’d had the call up.
“This is what he has wanted to do ever since he went there - to reach the big time.”
Barri made his debut at the live event in Little Rock, Arkansas, when he rushed into the ring slammed Nexus leader CM Punk’s opponent John Cena in the main bout of the evening.
He signed a WWE developmental deal in 2009, and was sent to hone his craft at the company ‘s training league, Florida Championship Wrestling, last January.
Barri has since competed in a number of untelevised matches at TV tapings.
He also wowed fans on WWE’s Smackdown and Raw live tours.
Wrestling legend Orig Williams put Barri on the road to success after he spotted him at a wrestling show in Porthmadog in 2006.
Orig’s daughter, singer and actress Tara Bethan, said: “Dad had always wanted to find a big Welsh speaker with the enthusiasm to make it big.
“When Barri walked into the show in Port, Dad said it was like seeing a Greek god.”
Orig died in November 2009, having learnt that his protege had been offered a WWE contract.
Tara said that her father treated Barri like a son.
She added: “I’m sure he was looking down proudly on Monday night.”