Mason Ryan

Barri Griffiths (born 13 January 1982) is a Welsh stunt performer, actor, and former professional wrestler.

He began training to be a professional wrestler in 2006, and competed around Europe for the next three years.

Griffiths began training to be a professional wrestler in 2006 after attending a wrestling show with a friend where the promoter and referee Orig Williams 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 Chris Raaber, Michael Kovac, and Robert Ray Kreuzer at the European Wrestling Association's Night of Gladiators show in June 2007.

After signing with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), Griffiths had his final show in Wales in October 2008 in Porthmadog, when he won a singles match and battle royal.

He is best known for his time with WWE, where he performed under the ring name Mason Ryan from 2009 to 2014.

He appeared as Goliath on Gladiators in 2009.

In 2009, he signed a contract with WWE, debuting in Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) and becoming a one-time FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion.

In 2009, Griffiths signed a five-year contract with World Wrestling Entertainment (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.

He made his main roster debut in 2011 and joined The New Nexus.

On 3 February 2011, Ryan lost the Florida Heavyweight Championship to Bo Rotundo, ending a six-and-a-half month reign.

Griffiths, as Mason Ryan, made his WWE television debut on 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 2011, he had his debut match on Raw, losing 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 14 March episode of Raw.

Following the match, Orton punted Ryan in the head.

He 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.

On 2 May, Ryan lost to Kane by disqualification following interference from Punk, and went on to attack both Kane and Big Show.

At the Over the Limit pay-per-view on 22 May, Ryan and Punk challenged Big Show and Kane for the WWE Tag Team Championship, but were unsuccessful.

The following month, Ryan suffered an injury and was absent from television to recuperate.

Ryan returned from injury at a house show in Jackson, Mississippi in late August.

In 2013, he started working on WWE's NXT brand until his release the following year.

Griffiths was born in Tremadog, the son of Carys and Malcolm Griffiths.

He has a sister named Catrin.

He attended Ysgol y Gorlan primary school in Tremadog and Ysgol Eifionydd secondary school in Porthmadog, before studying construction management at Cardiff University for 18 months.

He worked as a trainee carpenter and in his family's funeral home prior to becoming a wrestler.

Griffiths played football as a centre back for Porthmadog FC, but had to curtail his career due to a knee injury.

He joined Cirque du Soleil in 2016.

Griffiths played as a centre back for Porthmadog FC, but a knee injury curtailed his career.