Here is our exclusive interview with WWE Ring Announcer Justin Roberts. The interview took place on Monday 26th July 2004 and was conducted by Smackdown5.com's webmaster Mark O'Connell.
M (Mark): Hi Justin. Thanks for taking the time to talk to me today on behalf of www.SmackdownVsRaw.com. How long have you been a wrestling fan?
J (Justin): I began watching GLOW, Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling when I was maybe 8 and from there started casually watching Saturday Nights Main Event. I became a full time fan right before WrestleMania VII.
M: Where did you first get the opportunity to work as a ring announcer, and what drew you towards the position?
J: Chicago, IL for Pro-Wrestling International. I was the voice of a wrestling hotline and used that as a step to announce one match on this independent show. It was the only spot on a live show I could see myself getting into without any type of training.
M: How did you get a position as a ring announcer in WWE?
J: I worked as many Independent and Toughman Contest shows that I could while attending high school and college. I sent those videos and résumés out after about three years to WWE for an additional three years.
M: Do you ever get nervous when performing in front of a large crowd?
J: I did the first couple of years since shows were so sporadic. Now, the more people out there, the easier it is. Im very comfortable in front of a live crowd, because I enjoy my job so much.
M: Do you find the travel schedule tough?
J: The schedule I am on now, not so much. There have been some tours with really crazy itineraries, but you do it and you have fun.
M: What are your favourite memories so far from your time at WWE?
J: My Tryout, getting rescued by the Big Show in Chicago (see story in the articles section of JJRoberts.com), working in front of the sold out crowds in Japan, working at the All State Arena, and working with the guys I looked up to watching WWE growing up. Too many that I did not mention as well.
M: Who are your closest friends in the locker room?
J: There are a few guys I have known going in and others I have met while working there.
M: What was it like meeting Superstars such as The Rock and Hulk Hogan?
J: Rock is probably the nicest guy you could meet in Wrestling/Hollywood, he deserves all the success he is earning right now and more. Hulk is a legend so it was very cool. I am a fan who happens to have my dream job getting to work with all of these guys who put their bodies on the line every night to entertain. Meeting every single one of the guys is an honor.
M: What is your favourite wrestling match and why?
J: Way too many good matches to choose one-thats rough. Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit had a match that really kept me on the edge of my seat not too long ago. Most matches with Kurt, Benoit,The Guerreros, Curt Hennig, Jake Roberts, Undertaker, William Regal, Ric Flair, Dean Malenko, Booker T, Rey Mysterio, Funaki, Cena, Chris Jericho, and HHH are up there. Again I am leaving out too many.
M: What do you like to do on your days off?
J: I like to relax by the pool, go to the gym, and watch old wrestling tapes.
M: Do you get the chance to play many wrestling games?
J: I have PS2 and usually play WWE games, or the NFL Blitz type sports games.
M: How is your acting career coming along?
J: I havent been putting any time at all into acting lately; I have some other projects in the works so well see what happens in time.
M: Why did you appear on the Jerry Springer show?
J: A bunch of independent wrestling friends were going on and they told the producer about me. The producer asked if I would go on and made me a good deal so I did it for fun. I was innocent on the episode!
M: Finally, what are your predictions for Summerslam 2004?
J: I look forward to Eddie finally getting his hands on Kurt Angle. I dont know how much of a chance Eddie has though with Luther Reigns watching Kurts back. As far as Undertaker and JBL I would hope that Undertaker wins the belt once again.
M: Thanks again for taking the time to answer my questions. On behalf of your fans at SmackdownVsRaw.com, Id like to wish you every success in the future!
J: Thank you all for reading this and remember to follow your dreams, because if you want something bad enough-you can get it. Dont forget to check out JJRoberts.com for more info on Justin.
J (Justin): I began watching GLOW, Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling when I was maybe 8 and from there started casually watching Saturday Nights Main Event. I became a full time fan right before WrestleMania VII.
M: Where did you first get the opportunity to work as a ring announcer, and what drew you towards the position?
J: Chicago, IL for Pro-Wrestling International. I was the voice of a wrestling hotline and used that as a step to announce one match on this independent show. It was the only spot on a live show I could see myself getting into without any type of training.
M: How did you get a position as a ring announcer in WWE?
J: I worked as many Independent and Toughman Contest shows that I could while attending high school and college. I sent those videos and résumés out after about three years to WWE for an additional three years.
M: Do you ever get nervous when performing in front of a large crowd?
J: I did the first couple of years since shows were so sporadic. Now, the more people out there, the easier it is. Im very comfortable in front of a live crowd, because I enjoy my job so much.
M: Do you find the travel schedule tough?
J: The schedule I am on now, not so much. There have been some tours with really crazy itineraries, but you do it and you have fun.
M: What are your favourite memories so far from your time at WWE?
J: My Tryout, getting rescued by the Big Show in Chicago (see story in the articles section of JJRoberts.com), working in front of the sold out crowds in Japan, working at the All State Arena, and working with the guys I looked up to watching WWE growing up. Too many that I did not mention as well.
M: Who are your closest friends in the locker room?
J: There are a few guys I have known going in and others I have met while working there.
M: What was it like meeting Superstars such as The Rock and Hulk Hogan?
J: Rock is probably the nicest guy you could meet in Wrestling/Hollywood, he deserves all the success he is earning right now and more. Hulk is a legend so it was very cool. I am a fan who happens to have my dream job getting to work with all of these guys who put their bodies on the line every night to entertain. Meeting every single one of the guys is an honor.
M: What is your favourite wrestling match and why?
J: Way too many good matches to choose one-thats rough. Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit had a match that really kept me on the edge of my seat not too long ago. Most matches with Kurt, Benoit,The Guerreros, Curt Hennig, Jake Roberts, Undertaker, William Regal, Ric Flair, Dean Malenko, Booker T, Rey Mysterio, Funaki, Cena, Chris Jericho, and HHH are up there. Again I am leaving out too many.
M: What do you like to do on your days off?
J: I like to relax by the pool, go to the gym, and watch old wrestling tapes.
M: Do you get the chance to play many wrestling games?
J: I have PS2 and usually play WWE games, or the NFL Blitz type sports games.
M: How is your acting career coming along?
J: I havent been putting any time at all into acting lately; I have some other projects in the works so well see what happens in time.
M: Why did you appear on the Jerry Springer show?
J: A bunch of independent wrestling friends were going on and they told the producer about me. The producer asked if I would go on and made me a good deal so I did it for fun. I was innocent on the episode!
M: Finally, what are your predictions for Summerslam 2004?
J: I look forward to Eddie finally getting his hands on Kurt Angle. I dont know how much of a chance Eddie has though with Luther Reigns watching Kurts back. As far as Undertaker and JBL I would hope that Undertaker wins the belt once again.
M: Thanks again for taking the time to answer my questions. On behalf of your fans at SmackdownVsRaw.com, Id like to wish you every success in the future!
J: Thank you all for reading this and remember to follow your dreams, because if you want something bad enough-you can get it. Dont forget to check out JJRoberts.com for more info on Justin.
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interview MUST be credited soley to
www.Smackdown5.com and may not
be duplicated without permission.
Exclusive Photos!
Ric Flair and Mark O'Connell Figure-Four hand lock
The interview takes a turn for the worse... The Nature Boy's Autograph!
All Images copyright 2004 Mark O'Connell. May not be reproduced without permission.
