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UNDER THE MICROSCOPE - 8/11 RAW: What I noticed that you might have missed Aug 12, 2008 - 8:19:36 PM
Welcome. My name is Lee Stevens and together we are going to examine Raw a bit closer. Starting today, we are going to put Monday night's show under the microscope to see what we can find. I realize the risks involved. There will be some weeks when a closer look reveals nothing but treats, just like the time you looked at your vacation photos and saw that you accidentally captured the drummer from Slipknot eating a cherry snow cone in the background. Then there will be times when a closer look results in the same joy as the last time you looked directly into the sun for 17 minutes.
First, a brief introduction as to who I am and what we hope to do. I have watched wrestling for three decades and actually enjoyed most of it. This will not be a cynical look at the show, nor will it be a recap. Wade and James do a fantastic job of recapping Raw and I encourage you to continue reading their work. This will be a different look at the show, hopefully from a different angle. I am not an insider, nor do I play one on TV. I don't claim to have all of the information and I will not dismiss you if you ask a silly question. No, the Ultimate Warrior is not dead. There is your insider information.
For example, after last night's show, we had an obvious "Family Ties" theme. The Valiants lost the title as the latest version of the Rhodes and DiBiase family watched, followed by our favorite family, The Highlanders. Throw in a medical update on Randy Orton and we could have had a lengthy discussion on why family is the easiest way to succeed or perhaps the hardest. As the son of "Cowboy" Bob Orton, does this mean Randy has to wear his cast for the rest of his career?
We could break down the match which featured a man named "Regal" fighting someone named "Noble," while "The King" commentated. Of course, a replay during the match was sponsored by "Street Kings" now on DVD.
The show featured three former champions all wearing numbered jerseys. Cena with #54, Santino was #1 (of course) and in a rewind, Batista sported the Wes Unseld throwback #41.
Maybe the "Bring Back Norman Smiley" sign caught your eye during the main event. Not everyone remembers who Norman Smiley is and why he should or should not come back.
If you know just about everything, I welcome your knowledge. I think you'll enjoy a different way of looking at things you already know. If you don't know everything? We'll get along just fine.
Lee Stevens has been watching Sports Entertainment since it was actually Wrestling. He's seen the Moondogs, the British Bulldogs and the Road Dogg. He doesn't claim to know everything, but he knows what happens when a birthday cake or trophy is in the middle of the ring after the commercial break.
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