Tremadog wrestler is off to the US to join WWE

Oct 15 2009 Caernarfon and Denbigh Herald

Barri Grifftiths

A HARD hitting heavyweight will be fulfilling a childhood ambition after being handed a contract by the biggest wrestling company in the world.

Tremadog’s biggest character and former Gladiators star Barri Griffiths, known locally as “Barri 10 foot”, is heading stateside after being taken on by the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) promotion.

He is currently awaiting his green card after which he will be travelling to the organisation’s training school in Tampa, Florida where WWE chiefs will monitor his progress.

He said: “I was preparing for the Paul O’Grady show when someone from the WWE phoned me asking if I could go and see them.

“They were hosting a show at the 02 arena in London at the time so I went down and had a word with them and they said they had an interest in taking me over there.

“I was overjoyed, I stayed around for a bit of the show and it was nice to see some of the wrestlers in the flesh.

“I also met Shane McMahon (Executive Vice President of WWE Global Media) briefly and shook hands with him.”

Later this month, Barri will be taking part in a special homecoming bout at the Ganolfan in Porthmadog which could prove to be his last appearance on Welsh soil.

Barri’s main opponent at the Ganolfan will be another formidable WWE Superstar, the Two Ton American Avalanche who has been billed as a “One Man Riot Squad.”

If Barri’s Visa application is successful, he will first decamp to the base of Florida Championship Wrestling to learn the ropes.

Potential opponents he could be facing in future include the Undertaker, Triple H and Hollywood movie star John Cena.

Speaking about his contract, Barri said: “It’s an exciting prospect.

“I think I’ll miss home but I certainly won’t lose any of my Welshness.

“Nobody knows me over there so I’ll be starting from scratch and I know I have to prove myself.

“I’m very excited and the hard work doesn’t bother me because I enjoy keeping fit and going to the gym.

“For me, it’s like being chosen to play for a Premiership football club, who could refuse the chance to become a WWE superstar?”

Barri’s trainer and manager Orig Williams said: “If Barri continues to progress in the way he has done in the short time he has been with us, I have no doubt he will become a future WWE Champion.”

Barri will be taking part in a farewell event at the Ganolfan in Porthmadog on Tuesday, October 27 at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £9 for adults and £7 for children and are on sale at Siop Eifionydd on (01766) 514045 and at the Ganolfan (01766) 513373.

dion.jones