Justin "Jason" Roberts talks about his WWE Smackdown debut

Justin Roberts began his ring announcing career in Chicago, working as Enzo
Reed for what then was PWI. He was 16 years old. Last week, Roberts, at age
22, reached his ultimate goal of working for the WWE. Working as Jason
Roberts, he debuted on Smackdown last week as a ring announcer. He talked to
Chicagowrestling.com's Al Lagattolla - via IM - about the thrill of watching
himself on TV, and the excitement of living a dream:

AL: You've seen yourself on TV before, but was this different because it was
your dream job?

ROBERTS: Um, I've seen myself on tv holding up signs, jumping up and down,
and doing a real bad job of acting on Jerry Springer. I love ring announcing
and this is something that I'm proud of seeing myself do on television

AL: How would you contrast this appearance with your other WWE jobs, knowing
this time the nation would be watching? Was there any pressure?

ROBERTS: In June it was one match for Raw (dark) which was a huge rush...I
got better the next night with 2 Smackdown dark matches...did horrible on a
commentary tryout, since I never attempted that before even just watching
from home...then I was supposed to watch sunday and monday then do a full tv
show tuesday-so it was weird....but... I got to do 2 darks Monday which got
me comfortable for Tuesday along with tips from Fink and Lilian leading up to
Tuesday. It was a relief knowing that these were both taped PLUS i got 2
darks before the taping began, so I didnt pay attention to the fact that it
was going to be on tv--too worried about having my lines memorized.

AL: Do you like your new name, Jason?

ROBERTS: I couldn't be Justin and since I have been called Jason more than
Justin throughout my 22 years here, I figured it might be nice and people
could start calling me Justin by accident - It's a big experiement

AL: Was Justin Credible the reason you couldn't be Justin? Or is it something
more complicated?

ROBERTS: I believe so-if they can avoid having double names they do

AL: Were you confident? Was there anything that got edited out, or was that
all "as is"?

ROBERTS: I was really focused on the announcements I had to make, since I
didn't use a cheat sheet and had to pee the whole time I was out there, so
the crowd and cameras did not bother me - I just wanted to make sure I nailed
everything. I didn't notice any editing. Confidence?.... not like I usually
have at shows but for good reason. With time I will get used to announcing
over the crowd pops and music and working for WWE in general so I will get
WWE confidence. Like WWE attitude but WWE confidence.

AL: Will you have other roles on Velocity, maybe hosting a show or doing
interviews? Lillian, I know, does some interviews sporadically.

ROBERTS: I have no idea. I don't ask many questions.

AL: Here's probably a goofy question only I would be interested in ... is
that tux yours or do they provide what you wear?

ROBERTS: lol, it's mine - I have a couple

AL: And you are bilingual, correct? Will that help?

ROBERTS: Uh, I could get by in Spanish. I actually speak Spanish with
Tajiri---pretty cool. And i can use the Spanish dialect, which makes it sound
better

AL: How were the guys? Did they recognize you from your previous trips?

ROBERTS: Very cool---I really liked the "WWE family" when I tried out and I
hoped to be a part of it.....That includes everyone-camera guys sound guys,
security, etcc...all very cool---I think most of the guys remembered me

AL: At any point, do you think back to your days as a 16-year-old beginning
at shows in Chicago? Did you think at that time you'd be on WWE TV?

ROBERTS: I always think back....to when i was a kid waiting for autographs in
the parking lot...then a horrible 16 year old announcer who did it for a
hobby with NO expecations of going anywhere. I didn't even think about
getting to work for WWE til a couple years ago

AL: Has any kid asked for your autograph yet?

ROBERTS: Yes

AL: How did that feel?

ROBERTS: Signed autographs during the commercials and gave hugs and pictures
in the parking lot. I've had 8x10s for quite a while, so I've done it before
at wrestling/toughman shows. It's cool that my signature-something
meaningless to me means something to someone else. And if you can make people
happy by doing it---do it!

AL: Announcers can become as beloved as wrestlers. Most fans know who Howard
is, and they gawk over Lillian, I'm sure. Who are some of your favorites?

ROBERTS: Howard is the man. Mostly everyone has a style that is unique and
makes them a good announcer, Tony has his style, Lilian hers, Michael Buffer
his...etc

AL: Yes, Michael Buffer can get a nice payday for just saying his
catchphrase. Any future in that? Any catchphrases in the works?

ROBERTS: Nah, i let my personality come out...Can't trademark that but I can
have fun with it

AL: Are you in a position to watch a lot of the show? Is it hard to watch
when you've got so much on your mind?

ROBERTS: Until i really get the weights/hometowns down, I look over them
during the match before. When i get them down, I watch

AL: Do you see any names you could really have fun with?

ROBERTS: Rey is a giveaway. I asked him if he liked the rolled r's like i did
in his WWE debut and he said yes, roll the r's i like that! Eddy/Chavo like
Rey's are cool. Then Brock/Paul Heyman. I'm sure there are more just can't
think of them---hhh, Undertaker, Regal would be cool, too/

AL: Have you had much feedback from family and friends as of yet?

ROBERTS: Tons. I'm more critical than they are--so they were all happy--lotsa
friends who work indies with me were proud, Navajo Warrior picked up what I
picked up that was critical of myself and that was sometimes my voice went
too low.

AL: You thanked a lot of guys at your site (justinroberts.net) ... how has
all the work leading up to this push you to WWE? Have you ever considered
giving up?

ROBERTS: Because with every show, every road trip, every promotion, you learn
something new. You improve minor details every time you go out there that
help you to grow. People help you with advice and any pointers they can
give, which help you learn...then you help others which also helps you
learn...There were times when I figured I was wasting time cause I would
build up my hopes and it was impossible to make it to the top, but I enjoyed
the shows too much to leave so I took a chance. There is nothing else I
could picture myself doing that would make me this happy. maybe in a few
years that will change, but this is what I always wanted. One more
thing...the dream was to run down an aisle, slap 5's and sign
autogrpahs...then...I got that. Then I wanted to be able to actually work for
them. I got it. I graduated college-I'm 22-I reached my most impossible
dream, and now it's time to set more goals.