By Lee Stevens, PWTorch Specialist

It's time once again to take a closer look at Smackdown. Please remember that this is not a full recap. If you're looking for a recap, check the main page. Greg Parks does a sensational job of recapping the show. Wade Keller does a sensational job of running this website. I do a sensational job of dishing out compliments to ensure that I have a spot here next week. Let's put the Thanksgiving edition of Smackdown "Under The Microscope."

Love means never having to say you're sorry

I once had to apologize to my wife for something I apparently did in a dream she had. A friend of mine was in the doghouse with his wife because he laughed too loudly at a movie which she didn't like. Love is a funny thing. With that in mind, how forgiving is Vickie Guerrero? During the summer, Edge threatened to cancel his wedding to Vickie, then he attempted to cheat on her the day before the wedding with the wedding planner, Alicia Fox. Later, he missed Triple H with a spear, only to connect with his fiancee. She got a measure of revenge by putting Edge in a Hell in a Cell match with The Undertaker. Edge would sever ties with La Familia in dramatic fashion, including tossing Vickie out of her wheelchair and the following week he continued his emotional torture. Eventually, Undertaker would defeat Edge in that Hell in the Cell match prompting Edge's beard and time off.

Did they get divorced? No. Did he have to sleep on the couch? No. Did he have to miss another Saturday of football to go to flea markets all day? No. He got an impromptu title shot and she got a big hug on national TV. I need to find out where these two crazy kids are registered, because this marriage is going to last.

In all seriousness, I hope we will see even the briefest explanation of love conquering all between these two. I appreciate that Edge is now the "Ultimate Opportunist" even though I prefer my matches advertised ahead of time. He has used Money in the Bank stipulations, taken advantage of someone competing more than once in the same night, and look-alikes to win. I can handle all of those tricks, just explain them later. Then tell me the best way to apologize for leaving that dish in the sink so I can get my title shot.

Dibs on the T-bone!

Vickie Guerrero has come so far since her introduction, but she's still human. Friday night she addressed Triple H, Jeff Hardy, and Vladimir Kozlov: "I anticipated that the three of you would wanna claim stake at Edge's title." Whoops. Obviously she meant "stake a claim," which is a more common phrase.

And the sign said long haired freaky people need not apply

One of the signs in the crowd this week stated that Edge was the newest member of ZZ Top. Realistically, he still has work to do. I'm reminded more of the Allman Brothers Band. Between Mike Knox on Raw and the returning Mr. Kennedy, facial hair is the must-have accessory for the holiday season.

Thanks, bro

I was disappointed that we didn't hear from Jeff Hardy, but bonus points awarded for allowing Matt Hardy to defend his brother's honor in an interview and then with the strategy of his match. Jeff was beaten up and cheated out of his title shot, so it's obvious that a family member would be upset by this, so credit to Smackdown for hitting an obvious point in this story. Also, Jeff did a decent job of going for quick pin attempts in his Beat the Clock match. In a normal match it would have seemed out of place, but with such a tight time restriction, this was not only acceptable, but expected.

Bring out the gimp

I have heard Ezekiel Jackson compared to Ahmed Johnson and Bad News Brown, but I would like to serve up another option. Ezekiel (Mr. Jackson if you're nasty) reminds The Microscope of Marsellus Wallace in the movie "Pulp Fiction." Perhaps I'm not the only one to think so considering the possible origin of his name. Ezekiel could refer to the biblical passage often quote by another character in the movie, Jules Winnfield. Before killing someone, Jules would recite Ezekiel 25:17. The man who played that character? Samuel Jackson.

That possibility is more enticing that Jackson's actual name. Rycklon Stephens just doesn't have the same ring.

Video killed the TV star

I completely understand using footage from the Raw vs. Smackdown video game, especially on Black Friday, but there is a danger to using it as a preview for a match on next week's show. There is a good chance that the 30 seconds we saw of The Big Show and The Undertaker will be better than the actual cage match.

The line of the night just might be "The casket match should have been the final nail in the coffin." Clearly, they were referring to the alleged brutality of the match, but they just as easily could have been referring to the need to end this feud.

#51, that lady in all the Cinemax movies. #52...

With Shane and Stephanie McMahon taking a front seat on Raw, it was a pleasant surprise to hear a Linda McMahon reference on Smackdown. Linda was named one of the Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Cable Television, which is a legitimate honor. McMahon was listed as no. 43, with Anne Sweeney, Co-Chair, Disney Media Networks, & President, Disney-ABC Television Group topping the list.

Miz Mix

Kudos to The Miz for giving us something different this week. I hope you noticed him walking up Jesse's back before going over the ropes and snapping down on Jesse's head bringing his neck down over the rope. There's nothing new about the second part of the move, but I like the different path to get there.

Question

Are you happy to see Kennedy regardless of his role? Do you feel like I do in that his personality has been totally removed and he's serving the same emotional function as Todd Grisham or any other backstage interviewer whose main purpose is making sure the microphone is held tightly? Comment below and I'll see you next week.

Lee Stevens goes "Under The Microscope" with Raw and Smackdown, plus he recaps "Hulk Hogan's CCW". You can leave your comments below or e-mail him at GLStevens.Torch@gmail.com

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