SPECIAL INTERVIEW -- JUSTIN ROBERTS


Justin Roberts, 24, is young, good looking and also
the periodical mouth piece for WWE SmackDown on
UPN, RAW on TNN, FX's Toughman Contest, and
independent wrestling shows nationwide. If that weren't
enough, he gets paid to stand in the squared circle with
the likes of Brock Lesnar, Ric Flair, Torrie Wilson, and
Sable. A native of Chicago and University of Arizona
graduate, Justin Roberts joined the WWE in 2002 and
has never looked back since...


W365: So Justin, how did you find yourself in the dizzy
heights of WWE super stardom?

JUSTIN: [Laughs] I was a huge fan who wanted to
get into the business. At 16, I was on a wrestling hotline
and asked for an opportunity to guest ring announce on
an indy show. I was able to do so, and since then I have
worked for various indy groups all over the country in
addition to FX's Toughman Contest. After about six years
of experience and three years of sending my materials
to WWE, I received a tryout. From there, I became a part
time ring announcer for them announcing live events;
RAW, Velocity, and SmackDown. I  continue to work indy
shows and Toughman Contests when possible.


W365: Sounds likes a tough schedule...

JUSTIN: Well right now, I've just finished the
block of shows I had in Korea, Singapore, Australia,
California, Chicago, and Indiana so I'm just doing some
other things. But for the past few weeks it's been flying
to a show, getting in, eating, and going straight to the
building, getting in to the hotel, trying to get a few hours
of sleep, and flying out early to start the day again.


W365: Brutal?

JUSTIN: Travel can be totally brutal! Overseas
was a crazy schedule, and even in the States it can be
challenging to get in late from a show, wake up early for
a long drive to an airport, then a flight to the next town,
where you get a rental car and drive even more-then you
get to the show in just in time and you have to start the
process again. The challenge makes life fun, because
it's not usually easy and never the same from day to day.


W365: What was the transition like from working
independents to WWE events?

JUSTIN: I was used to going out there and hosting
a show where the crowd barely knew who was going to
be wrestling... and now I was working at a place where
the crowd knew who was going to be there and didn't
need me to explain. In the indys I have a lineup and run
the show at my own pace. WWE is very structured and
the shows flow very well.


W365: Who spotted you and what were the biggest
"sacrifices" for you breaking into the business?

JUSTIN: I don't know who if anyone spotted me.
I wanted to work for a group in California that had a
deal with WWE so I could work at least one show
and try to get spotted, but they wouldn't give me that
opportunity so I just kept sending tapes to WWE.
As far as sacrifices... I was announcing during high
school and college so I missed some fun parties here
and there, but I also attended a lot of them, had fun,
got good grades, and lost a lot of sleep trying to work
and make it to class on time.


W365: Worth it?

JUSTIN: It was definitely worth it.


W365: You've developed your own style
of announcing... do any of the boys get in your ear
and say 'can you announce my name this way' and
so forth?

JUSTIN: I have my own style? Cool!


W365: Well maybe comparable to Howard Finkel...

JUSTIN: It's hard growing up listening to Howard
and not getting in there and announcing with what's
in my head from growing up. I am not sure how
I announce at all, I just know I roll my R's because
I took a lot of Spanish 101 over the years and learned
how to pronounce names with the correct pronunciation.
Nobody has ever asked me to introduce them in a
certain way.Though I have heard from the guys who's
names I roll, that they like it.


W365: Who's the biggest influence on your career?

JUSTIN: I grew up listening to Howard Finkel, but as
far as influencing me in the business, Dale Gagne from
the AWA gave me lots of opportunities for experience
and the people at Toughman did the same. I've picked
up knowledge from everyone I have worked with and
every company I have worked for. You learn a little bit
and take it with you on the journey.


W365: Anyone in particular?

JUSTIN: I can't list the names as there are so many,
but the ones who gave me the opportunity for a lot of
work are Sonny Rogers, Dale, and Toughman. As far
as the guys on TV who influenced me -- again there
are WAY too many  -- but guys like Jim Ross, Paul
Heyman, Vince McMahon  who have such passion
when they go on TV. That's what makes this business
interesting for me.


W365: Tell us three things that the fans might not know
about you...

JUSTIN: Well, I do lots of impersonations because
my other dream was to be on SNL [Saturday Night Live].
I'm a huge fan of the Golden Girls, my picture with Bea
Arthur is proudly displayed on JJRoberts.com.  Finally,
the fans might not realize how big a fan I am of wrestling!


W365: If you had to mix it up with one wrestler in the
WWE, who would it be?

JUSTIN: Fernando. He's the only one I might have
a chance against with a height advantage. I would
never want to mix it up with one of the guys, not even
Fernando really!


W365: Would you ever date a WWE Diva?

JUSTIN: Of Course!


W365: Us too! What's been you biggest "mark out"
moment to date?

JUSTIN: Everything. Definitely announcing at the
All State Arena in Chicago since I grew up attending
all live events there and everytime I drove past, I vowed
to one day work there.  I also think recently it was the
RAW tour ending where I was in the ring with Shawn
Michaels, Ric Flair, Goldberg, and Earl Hebner while
JR and Jerry Lawler were on commentary. It's one of
those, 'how did I get here' moments.  The overseas
tour made me mark out for the fans who came out since
they were so appreciative for everything the guys gave
them -- that was awesome.


W365: Finally, try a little name association with us...

Howard Finkel? Legend
Stephanie McMahon? Very cool
Kurt Angle? Total package
Paul Heyman? Genius
The Undertaker? Rightfully respected
Rey Mysterio? Unbelievable

Justin's website can be found at www.JJRoberts.com.
He loves it when people sign his guest book -- but don't
forget to say Wrestling 365 sent you there...