Speaking from the Auckland Airport yesterday, Perry said his speed and experience were enough to best Troy Crosbie, or "T-Rex", of Invercargill.
At 120kg Crosbie had a 40kg weight advantage over his mentor, but after 10 to 15 minutes Perry finished the bout "with a super kick to the jaw, which knocked him out".
Perry set up the academy in July to help develop the sport in the resort and it has since taken six members through the programme, Crosbie being the first to graduate with Perry's approval.
The coach said the Bays Wrestlefest was "packed out" with about 300 people there to watch the two nights of fights and he would "definitely be going back again".
On Saturday evening, Crosbie made it halfway through a "10-man battle royale", but lost his chance to become a championship contender after being tossed over the top rope.
Perry also returned to the ring to face off against "the King of Bling" Charlie Roberts, but was "knocked out when Charlie distracted the referee and his manager punched me in the head with a chain".
He lauded Crosbie's first professional performance.
"[Crosbie] had a lot of fun out there and can't wait to get back into it and everyone else seemed to like him too - very confident, good rapport with the crowd and had his character down well."
With the weekend's action done and dusted, the next step is to host a public show in the South Island - most likely in the resort - and increase participation numbers, Mr Perry says.
"Friday's fight was good as it ... tells people this can lead to shows and can lead to good things," he said.
Perry's classes cost $10 per session and are held every Saturday from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.
Anyone with inquiries can call him on 021-254-8537.
