By Mr Charity
Johnny Rey Justus is one of the most hated heels in wrestling but behind the scenes he is one of the most respected individuals in the business. He has a good mind for the sport and knows how to work a crowd. Johnny reminds me of the actor Jack Palance he always plays the character that you love to hate. Johnny Rey Justus broke into the business by accident. “I saw a poster for the NEWA on a local radio station door, and went to my first indie show at North Smithfield high school. I raised a ruckus (mildly) and learned they were going to do a show at Johnson & Wales culinary gym (MY alma mater). I spoke to the promoter about training, I started a week after, and started realizing what I thought I knew was not reality. My first match was in a battle royal as an audience plant.”
Johnny had many individuals who he was inspired by George The Animal Steele, Chief Jay Strongbow, Howard Finkle, Bad Boy Billy Black, and Anthony Rufo.
When Johnny began training, he figured it was difficult, but not too difficult to dissuade him from competition. It wasn’t too long until Johnny had his first match so, at 33, he trained for his first match / feud. Some of Johnny’s biggest feuds were with Gino Giovanni ,Bad Boy Billy Black, and Mr. Monteiro.
“Although I am more recently known as a heel……….. I kinda like being the babyface more, even though it’s somewhat tougher to get over” said Justus.
Ring announcing would come later, as a member of the ownership team that made up UCW (Unified Championship Wrestling). He would double as the commissioner / ring announcer / ring crew/referee.
Nowadays he still has some of that Johnny Rey Justus piss and vinegar in his veins but he has now focused his talents more as the Showcase Pro Wrestling ring announcer. Because of this he has become in demand for other companies. He also has been a mentor to many local wrestlers and has always given them the time. “Ring announcing was actually the first thing in wrestling I wanted to do, because since I got into the business late, I was doing radio in Woonsocket and Providence, RI. As a fan, I had interviewed Randy Savage and Freddie Blassie on Kix 106 (hip hop) and it was a blast” Justus added “The best advice ever given to me is plan your work, Work out your plan.”
