Mason Ryan

Mason Ryan
Mason Ryan

Griffiths as the FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion in October 2010.
Ring name(s) Barri Griffiths[1]
Celtic Warrior[2][3]
Mason Ryan[3]
Smackdown Warrior[2]
Weight 20 st (280 lb; 127 kg)[4][5]
Billed height 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)[3][6]
Billed weight 289 lb (131 kg)[7]
Born 13 January 1982 (1982-01-13) (age 29)[6]
Tremadog, Wales[3]
Billed from Cardiff, Wales[8]
Trained by Orig Williams[3]
Brian Dixon[9]
FCW Training[1] Rowdy Roddy Piper, Batista
Debut 2007[9]

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 WWE, where he wrestles on the Raw brand, and was a member of The Nexus.[7] He also competes in Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), a WWE developmental territory.

Contents

Early 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.[10][11] Griffiths worked as a trainee carpenter, and in his family's funeral home business prior to becoming a professional wrestler.[2][3] He has a sister.[10] Griffiths played football as a centre-back for Welsh Premier League side Porthmadog F.C., but had to stop due to a knee injury.[4]

Gladiators

Griffiths appeared in the second series of the revived Gladiators television show in 2009, and competed under the name "Goliath".[6] 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.[2][4] He began filming the first show approximately a month later and had to grow a beard especially for the role.[2][10] 71/

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.[2][9][10] He trained at a professional wrestling school in Birkenhead.[2][9] 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.[2] 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 Chris Raaber, Michael Kovac, and Robert Ray Kreuzer at the European Wrestlng Association's Night of Gladiators show in June 2007.[12] After signing with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), Griffiths had his final show in Wales at Y Ganolfan, Porthmadog in October 2008, where he first won a singles match, before winning a battle royal.[5]. He is also referred to by fans as Former WWE Superstar Dave Batista because of his likeness to him

World Wrestling Entertainment / WWE

Florida Championship Wrestling (2009–2011)

In mid-2009, Griffiths signed a five-year contract with WWE.[13] When he received his work visa, he debuted in their developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) in January 2010.[3] Under the name Mason Ryan, he competed against wrestlers including Johnny Curtis, Tyler Reks, Johnny Prime, and Hunico in his first matches.[1]

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.[3][9][14] Over the next few months, Ryan successfully defended the championship against wrestlers including Bo Rotundo, Richie Steamboat, and Eli Cottonwood.[15] 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.[15] The following week, Saxton became aligned with Ryan, accompanying him to the ring and acting as his manager.[15] In November 2010, Ryan toured Europe with the SmackDown brand, defeating Chavo Guerrero in dark matches in Belfast on 4 November, Liverpool on 6 November and Manchester on 8 November prior to Monday Night Raw.[16][17] On 3 February 2011, Ryan lost the Florida Heavyweight Championship to Bo Rotundo, ending a six-and-a-half month reign.[18]

The New Nexus (2011)

See also: The Nexus
Ryan as part of The Nexus in April 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.[13][19] Ryan participated in the 2011 Royal Rumble match but was eliminated by Cena.[20] On 7 February Ryan had his debut match on Raw when he lost to R-Truth via disqualification.[21] 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.[22] 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.[23]

Ryan was absent from television for nearly a month, making his return on 11 April on Raw with the other New Nexus members, attacking Orton and preventing him from earning a WWE Championship match.[24]

On the 2 May episode of Raw, Ryan lost to Kane by disqualification following interference from Punk, and went on to attack both Kane and The Big Show.[25] Afterward he left the ring without celebrating with the other members of The Nexus. At the Over the Limit pay-per-view on 22 May, Ryan and Punk challenged Kane and The Big Show for the WWE Tag Team Championship, but were unsuccessful.[26] Fans in attendance chanted "Dave Batista" due to similarities between the two.

On the 20 June Power to the People episode of Raw, Ryan was voted to face Evan Bourne, whom he defeated. WWE released a statement the following day on their official website, revealing Sin Cara was the real winner of the poll vote, but the text votes from the previous match were still coming in. A week later on Raw, Michael Cole announced that Ryan was injured over the weekend at a house show, but was later reported online that it happened outside the ring and that he would be out from six weeks to six months.

Ryan would make an appearance at the SummerSlam Axxess event with his New Nexus stablemates.

Return to Raw (2011-present)

On the 8 September edition of WWE Superstars, Ryan returned to WWE, defeating JTG. On the 26 September episode of Raw, Ryan was chosen by Vickie Guerrero as Jack Swagger and Dolph Ziggler's partner in a 6-man Tag match against Zack Ryder and Air Boom (Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston), where Ryan would turn on Swagger and Ziggler, allowing Ryder to pick up the victory for his team and turn face in the process. The following week on Raw, Ryan teamed with Air Boom (Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston), Sheamus, CM Punk and John Cena in a 12-man Tag match defeating the team of Alberto Del Rio, Christian, Cody Rhodes, Dolph Ziggler, Jack Swagger and David Otunga. He would start a feud with Dolph Ziggler, Jack Swagger and Vickie Guerrero in the few months. His recent match with Dolph Ziggler was at the special edition of RAW! (Raw Gets ROCKED) and with Jack Swagger at the 18 edition of Smackdown! which Ryan won both matches.

Other media

Griffiths has appeared on The Paul O'Grady Show.[27] 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.[28]

Personal life

Griffiths speaks Welsh.[2] and is an avid weightlifter.[29]

In wrestling

Championships and accomplishments

References

  1. ^ a b c "Mason Ryan". Online World of Wrestling. http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/m/mason-ryan.html. Retrieved 11 August 2010. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Williams, Andrew (8 January 2009). "Gladiator in hot pants trouble". Metro.co.uk. http://www.metro.co.uk/showbiz/interviews/467726-gladiator-in-hot-pants-trouble. Retrieved 11 August 2010. 
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Trewyn, Hywel (2 August 2010). "North Wales man crowned heavyweight champion wrestler of Florida". Daily Post (North Wales). http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2010/08/02/north-wales-man-crowned-heavyweight-champion-wrestler-of-florida-55578-26976836/. Retrieved 11 August 2010. 
  4. ^ a b c Devine, Darren (4 January 2009). "Welsh duo are TV gladiators". Wales Online. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2009/01/04/welsh-duo-are-tv-gladiators-91466-22600153/. Retrieved 11 August 2010. 
  5. ^ a b Jones, Geraint (28 October 2008). "North Wales wrestler Barri Griffiths off to the USA". North Wales Chronicle. http://www.northwaleschronicle.co.uk/news/80818/north-wales-wrestler-barri-griffiths-off-to-the-usa.aspx. Retrieved 11 August 2010. [dead link]
  6. ^ a b c "Goliath, Barri Griffiths". Gladiator Zone. http://www.gladiatorszone.co.uk/gladiators/new/male/goliath/. Retrieved 11 August 2010. 
  7. ^ a b "Mason Ryan". World Wrestling Entertainment. http://www.wwe.com/superstars/raw/masonryan/. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
  8. ^ a b "Mason Ryan". Florida Championship Wrestling. http://www.fcwwrestling.info/masonryan1.html. Retrieved 2010-12-31. 
  9. ^ a b c d e f Jones, Geraint (5 August 2010). "Barri wrestles with rise to fame". North Wales Chronicle. http://www.northwaleschronicle.co.uk/news/91611/barri-wrestles-with-rise-to-fame.aspx. Retrieved 11 August 2010. 
  10. ^ a b c d Trewyn, Hywel (27 November 2008). "Meet North Wales’ very own Gladiators". Daily Post (North Wales). http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2008/11/27/meet-north-wales-very-own-gladiators-55578-22350024/. Retrieved 11 August 2010. 
  11. ^ Hughes, Owen R (26 January 2011). "Gwynedd WWE star Barri Griffiths billed as from Cardiff". Daily Post (North Wales). http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2011/01/26/gwynedd-wwe-star-barri-griffiths-billed-as-from-cardiff-55578-28054764/. Retrieved 30 January 2011. 
  12. ^ "EWA Results". European Wrestling Association. http://www.ewa-wrestling.com/events.php. Retrieved 9 November 2010. 
  13. ^ a b "Welsh wrestler Mason Ryan is a stateside hit". BBC. 20 January 2011. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-12242322. Retrieved 20 January 2011. 
  14. ^ "Florida Championship Wrestling roster". Florida Championship Wrestling. Archived from the original on 23 December 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5vCVjXPQC. Retrieved 11 August 2010. 
  15. ^ a b c d "Florida Championship Wrestling (2010)". Online World of Wrestling. http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/fcw/_2010/. Retrieved 23 January 2011. 
  16. ^ Gerweck, Steve (5 November 2010). "11/4 WWE Results: Belfast, Northern Ireland". WrestleView. http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1288934474. Retrieved 5 November 2010. 
  17. ^ Martin, Adam (7 November 2010). "11/6 WWE Results: Liverpool, England". WrestleView. http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1289170255. Retrieved 8 November 2010. 
  18. ^ "Champions Roll Call". Florida Championship Wrestling. http://www.fcwwrestling.info/champions.html. Retrieved 20 February 2011. 
  19. ^ Plummer, Dale (17 January 2011). "RAW: The Rumble and The Nexus grow". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2011/01/17/16926621.html. Retrieved 22 January 2011. 
  20. ^ Plummer, Dale; Tylwalk, Nick (30 January 2011). "Super-size Royal Rumble saves biggest surprise for last". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2011/01/31/17094896.html. Retrieved 1 February 2011. 
  21. ^ Plummer, Dale (7 February 2011). "RAW: Punk, Nexus battle Elimination Chamber entrants". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2011/02/07/17190006.html. Retrieved 13 February 2011. 
  22. ^ Plummer, Dale (28 February 2011). "RAW: Triple H talks Wrestlemania; The Miz loses an ally". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2011/02/28/17446551.html. Retrieved 2 April 2011. 
  23. ^ Plummer, Dale (14 March 2011). "RAW: Cena wrecked on the Road to Wrestlemania". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2011/03/14/17616206.html. Retrieved 18 March 2011. 
  24. ^ Plummer, Dale (11 April 2011). "RAW: Edge calls it a career". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2011/04/11/17958501.html. Retrieved 12 April 2011. 
  25. ^ Plummer, Dale (2 May 2011). "RAW: Happy Birthday Rock". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2011/05/02/18095156.html. Retrieved 8 May 2011. 
  26. ^ Hillhouse, Dave (May 22, 2011). "Over the Limit: Unpredictability makes for a good show". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2011/05/22/18180176.html. Retrieved May 23, 2011. 
  27. ^ a b c Jones, Dion (19 October 2009). "Tremadog wrestler is off to the US to join WWE". Caernarfon Herald. http://www.caernarfonherald.co.uk/caernarfon-county-news/local-caernarfon-news/2009/10/15/tremadog-wrestler-is-off-to-the-us-to-join-wwe-88817-24932274/. Retrieved 11 August 2010. 
  28. ^ White, Kevin (26 August 2010). "Big Barri’s preparations for stardom". Caernarfon Herald. http://www.caernarfonherald.co.uk/caernarfon-county-news/local-caernarfon-news/2010/08/26/big-barri-s-preparations-for-stardom-88817-27137357/. Retrieved 8 November 2010. 
  29. ^ Greenhouse, Debra (23 January 2009). "Goliath making waves on Gladiators". Daily Post (North Wales). http://www.dailypost.co.uk/leisure/tv-wales/programme-news/2009/01/23/goliath-making-waves-on-gladiators-55578-22763353/. Retrieved 11 August 2010. 
  30. ^ "Beth Phoenix". Online World of Wrestling. http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/b/beth-phoenix.html. Retrieved 2008-07-13. 
  31. ^ Shields, Brian and Kevin Sullivan (2009). WWE Encyclopedia. DK/BradyGAMES. p. 27. ISBN 978-0-7566-4190-0. 
  32. ^ "CALDWELL'S WWE SUPERSTARS REPORT 9/8: Bryan dominates main event, Fox vs. Tamina, returns & TV debuts & squash matches". Pro Wrestling Torch. http://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwsuperstarsreport/article_53100.shtml. Retrieved 2011-09-27. 
  33. ^ "We Are One (WWE Version)". Apple Inc.. http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/we-are-one-wwe-version/id408046476?i=408046477. Retrieved 30 January 2011. 
  34. ^ "CM Punk profile". WWE. http://www.wwe.com/superstars/raw/cmpunk/. Retrieved 2010-10-12. 
  35. ^ "Thanks for using...". The Heroes Lie. http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=251609478216949&id=171142399596991. Retrieved 2011-09-27. 
  36. ^ ""PWI 500": 101–200". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. 2011-08-08. http://prowrestlingillustrated.blogspot.com/2011/08/pwi-500-101-200.html. Retrieved 2011-08-08. 

External links

WWE ring.jpg Professional wrestling portal
v · d · eNexus
Members
CM Punk · Daniel Bryan · Darren Young · David Otunga · Heath Slater · Husky Harris · John Cena · Justin Gabriel · Mason Ryan · Michael McGillicutty · Michael Tarver · Skip Sheffield · Wade Barrett
See also
The Corre · Straight Edge Society · WWE NXT

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