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WWE announcer Justin Roberts talks his WWE big break

Posted at 5:24 AM, Jul 17, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-17 09:48:55-04

There really wasn't a time that Justin Roberts did not want to hold that microphone.

As a young boy growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, he was happy if there was an audience. 

"I was hamming it up," said Roberts. "I liked being in front of an audience. I would always do the school talent shows, the school plays. I just liked entertainment."

He watched TV constantly and eventually came across the WWE.

"I wanted to be in entertainment. I loved entertainment but I loved wrestling," said Roberts.

So, he had to figure out a way to get in the ring. He knew couldn’t actually throw down like the wrestlers but holding a microphone was something he could do. At just 16 years old, he started announcing local wrestling matches.

He moved to Arizona for college, but he kept announcing any sport he could while constantly sending his resume and tapes to the WWE.

After years of unanswered e-mails, tapes and resumes, Roberts finally got an audition.

"The number one moment for me was standing in that ring for the first time because I had worked so hard and so long to get there," he said. "It seemed impossible."

Life as he knew it would change. Roberts got the job. He traveled 52 weeks a year announcing everything and everyone he watched growing up.

"From Super Stars to Saturday Night's Main Event to Smackdown to Monday Night Raw to the Pay-Per-View like Survivor to Royal Rumble, Wrestle Mania," he said.

Life now has slowed down.

Autographs, notes and photos take up his home office in Scottsdale. He's even taken the time to write a best-selling book, Best Seat in the House. It highlights his ups and downs in the WWE.

"When you're following your dream,  if you want it bad enough, you'll get it," Roberts said. "But if you don't get it, you're not trying hard enough. Keep going. Don't give up until you get it."