Justin Roberts on his WWE tryout

Justin Roberts thought for years about his shot at the big time.

The ring announcer got his chance last week in dark matches at WWE Raw and Smackdown in California, and the moment was simple.

There was one word from WWE - go.

"They weren't sure there was going to be time," he said. "(Sgt. Slaughter) was on the headset and he said Lillian and Justin, go. You think about the situation, and then it's just 'go.' I walked behind her. She did the opening announcement and handed over to me. I did the Prototype and Shelton Benjamin match."

And with that, Roberts, 22, got all he ever wanted in pro wrestling - an opportunity. Roberts began his career at 16 at PWI/PCW. Since heading to college in Arizona, he has done work for Toughman. And now that he's done with college, he got a call from the WWE.

Roberts had been in touch with the fed for years, sending his work and networking.

It paid off in a big way. He got the call.

He spent a lot of time with the WWE's team of announcers - Lillian Garcia, the Coach, Howard Finkel and Michael Cole.

He announced three matches in all - all dark matches. Two were Benjamin-Prototype matches, and each won one. The other was a match between Rey Mysterio Jr. and Sho Funaki. Mysterio hasn't appeared on WWE TV yet, so fans were surprised to see him.

"Rey came out with a hood," he said. "I said, 'Rey Mysterio Jr., and the crowd popped. He took off the hood, and he had his mask on."

He spent a lot of time tagging along with Garcia, watching what she does before he got his chance to go out. He watched Garcia do the work on WWE Heat at ringside, then watched Coach do interviews. He spent a lot of time on Tuesday with Finkel, who introduced Roberts on Tuesday.

He said everything was structured and everything was different than what he's experienced.

"Normally, I'd have a piece of paper with everything written on it," he said. "They don't do that, and I didn't. But I don't think they would have minded."

As far as the actual announcing, "At most indy shows, you announce the name, the music hits and the guy walks out and the crowd reacts. In WWE, the music hits, the crowd pops and you're announcing over it."

He said his performance Tuesday was better than Monday.

"Monday's show ... I wasn't nervous, but I didn't have the energy, and I saw that in the video on Tuesday in the cafeteria," he said. "I knew I could do it 10 times better and on Tuesday, I was more myself."

He said everybody in WWE is working hard.

"Michael Cole does hours of post production," he said. "Every person affiliated with that company does so much more work than people realize. As far as if I could handle it? You bet. I just graduated from college. ... If I got this, I could just drop everything to work for them."

He said Cole "is a very hard worker. You can tell he's very dedicated and focused. The guy works his ass off. Tazz, too. He was very cool. Everybody was, Coach, Howard, Lillian, Michael Cole."

He also got to meet the boss.

"If you asked me who I'd run into more," he said. "Every time I went into an elevator, it seemed Vince McMahon was getting in."

The experience?

"To quote Dr. Evil, 'It got weird.' But it was really cool," he said. "We were in there one time with Shelton and Prototype and they thanked him for the opportunity. He was very respectful to them."

He thinks he made a good impression.

"When friends ask me how it went, I'll say it went well," he said. "I got a lot of positive feedback."

No matter what happens, he said it was a worthwhile trip.

"All I ever wanted was the opportunity, and I got that," he said. "If I get the job, it's just a bonus. I can't tell you how many dreams I've had ... And I remember being in the ring, looking out of the corner of my eye and I saw myself on the Titantron. It was very weird, but very cool. I was pumped. I had a great time out there."

"I thank all the guys, all the production guys, I'm such a mark for the entire production," he added. "I have such a respect for everybody, from the guys who make the clothes to Triple H."

....

Roberts remembers his early days working for PWI/PCW.

"I'll never forget Sonny Rogers letting me get in the ring at 16 with no experience," he said. "He allowed me to do one match. It went to two matches for the next show. At ages 16-18, I was working Sonny's shows. Once I moved to Arizona, I hooked up with AWA, and then business started picking up."

As for that first match for Rogers.

"It was awful," he said. "I was the worst person to ever get in the ring and pretend to be an announcer. I had that bad announcer wannabe voice."

"When I went to AWA, the shows were no longer every 5 months," he said. "We were on tour all summer and it gave me more opportunities to learn. I learn from each show. Finally, I got my own voice. Now, when I'm talking to a crowd, I'm watching with them, and I want to make sure it's fun for them. I want to make sure they're entertained."

For information about Roberts, visit justinroberts.net.

 

Thanks to Al Lagatolla-Chicagowrestling.com