By Lee Stevens, PWTorch Specialist

Before we celebrate 800 episodes of RAW, we at Under The Microscope need to issue a correction from last week.  I mistakenly identified a wrestler as Dolph Diggler instead of his true name, Dolph Ziegler, which naturally cancels out any past or future references to the movie "Boogie Nights". I apologize for the error. Occasionally, the microscope gets a bit cloudy and mistakes are made. I encourage you to e-mail corrections, but a word of advice: If you write to tell me that I've made a mistake and you've spelled the word mistake incorrectly(misteak), you lose a bit of credibility for your complaint. The same goes for role/roll. "Knowing your role" means you know your place in this world. "Knowing your roll" means you have an unhealthy relationship with pastries. Big difference.

Honey, where did we put the big ladder?
 
While the announcers were reminding us about the 800th episode of Raw, Chris Jericho was reminding us about his history versus Shawn Michaels when it comes to ladders. Although Michaels was part of the first WWE ladder match, Jericho has enjoyed success high above this very ring. He defeated Chris Benoit to win the Intercontinental Title and later teamed with Benoit to win the Tag Team Championship. He also defeated Christian to capture the I-C strap.
 
Shawn Michaels traded victories with Razor Ramon in ladder matches and lost to the man who was most responsible for bringing the match to the WWE. Bret Hart actually brought the idea from Stampede Wrestling and defeated Michaels in the first WWE version of the match. Although Hart didn't invent the match, his suggestion started the stipulation's popularity.
 
Although the match can bring great acrobatic memories and wonderful highlights which will be remembered forever, it has also featured some unlikely participants. Jeff Jarrett, Big Boss Man, The Undertaker, Kane and Vince McMahon are among those not considered aerial experts to work ladder matches with varying degrees of success.
 
How many has it been? I wish they would mention it.
 
800 episodes of anything is amazing, considering shows have been cancelled after just one episode. Hello, "Secret Talents of the Stars", I'm looking at you.
 
I'm not asking anyone to lower their standards of what they expect from their entertainment. Your time is valuable and you deserve the best, but let's not kid ourselves about the overall expectations for this show which has consumed more than 1,600 hours of our lives. Let's look at the first episode. Yokozuna defeated Koko B. Ware. Please remember, Ware brought a bird with him to the ring. His name was Frankie. Let's move on. The Steiners beat the Executioners. Shawn Michaels defeated Max Moon. The Undertaker enjoyed a victory over Damien Demento. If you can't remember back that far, I'll help you. Not all of them were 4-star matches featuring athletes with stellar work rates.
 
Again, I'm not asking you to expect less than quality every Monday night, but Billy Joel had it correct when he sang "The good ol' days weren't always good." Unless you're a big Damien Demento fan. I'm not one to judge.


 
Although it didn't finish the match, Punk did display a new potential finishing hold as he slapped the ankle lock on Cody Rhodes. The hold is primarily known as the finisher for Kurt Angle. Punk later utilized the GTS to finish off Rhodes, but it's refreshing to see someone use a different move to avoid settling into a routine. That is why C.M. Punk is one of my Top 5 favorite wrestlers to use two initials.
 
5. T.L. Hopper
4. P.N. News
3. A.J. Styles
2. C.M. Punk
1. S.D. Jones
 
The Family Business
 
Shane McMahon wasn't exaggerating just for effect when he corrected Randy Orton about being a 4th generation superstar. It starts with Jess McMahon, who promoted wrestling and boxing. His son was Vincent J. McMahon, who founded what is now known as the WWE. His son was Vincent Kennedy McMahon, who is now featured in a commercial for razors with John Cena. His son is Shane-O Mac, who is a really good dancer. 
 
Ah... Memories
 
It was refreshing to see Shane McMahon reminiscing about his history with Kane. Yes, Kane gave Linda McMahon a tombstone piledriver (after all, what do you give a woman who has everything) and tried to electrocute Shane-O's "little Macs". The two also squared off in a Last Man Standing match and an Ambulance Match. With all of that, Kane still remembers to say hello to Shane's Mom? He's such a sweet Big Red Monster.
 
You can break my nose, but leave my meter alone
 
Although the Honk-A-Meter was interrupted, preventing us from hearing Santino celebrate passing the likes of Steve Austin, Edge and Owen Hart, we have a chance once again next week. Assuming he holds the belt until next Monday, he will pass Kane, Triple H and a gentleman named Chris Benoit. If you're betting at home,   I would suspect that there will be no joking references to Benoit's title reign. In two weeks, he'll pass The Godfather, so I'm hoping for some references to some of The Godfathers finest female friends.
 
Lee Stevens would love to hear from you. He would also love to hear from S.D. Jones. Please e-mail him at GLStevens.Torch@gmail.com.

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