By Lee Stevens, PWTorch Specialist

Thank you for taking the time to once again go "Under the Microscope." If this is your first time, this is not a recap of the show. Instead, I look a little bit closer than I probably should and find the small things you may have missed. Despite my mother's warnings, I sit very close to the television. It's a sacrifice I'm willing to make. I don't care what she says. I'm a loner, a rebel. With that out of the way, let's put the Slammy edition of Raw "Under the Microscope."

I'm just happy to be nominated

I was thrilled to see the return of the Slammy Awards, even though it was with a different format. I'm pleased that they kept the podium, presenters and the trophies to make it feel like a traditional awards show. Several readers were pleased that it was integrated into a typical Monday night show, but I felt like it deserved a one hour special of its own. It was weird to see Jeff Hardy accept an award and then walk to the ring to perform. I don't think we will ever see Johnny Depp accept his Oscar only to set it down on the podium, walk off stage and then hear his director yell "Action!"

I do appreciate that several wrestlers dressed up for the celebration. If they bring it back again, I welcome the possibility of a "Red Carpet Show" before the festivities as everyone shows up and Todd Grisham asks Hacksaw Jim Duggan "Who are you wearing?"

Remember me?

The Microscope awards massive credit to the WWE for breaking a long-standing trend and actually acknowledging someone no longer with the company. Ric Flair was seen in the early montage of great moments of 2008 and shared the award for "Match of the Year" with Shawn Michaels. Too often they have short attention spans even if there's no business-related reason. I understand why they won't recognize someone if they jump to TNA, but in Flair's case, a mention was warranted and it was very well received.

I outrank you

The Miz and John Morrison gave the Slammy Awards the proper tone with their excited acceptance speech. They acted as if it were a big deal, so new viewers to the award show believed it was a big deal. In their thank yous, you probably heard Mr. T and Chuck Norris, who are obviously known for non-WWE reasons but please don't forget Mr. T's involvement in WrestleMania and Norris participated several times including appearances at WrestleMania, The Royal Rumble and The Survivor Series. Plus, if you believe Chuck Norris Facts, the chief export of Chuck Norris is pain.

Also mentioned by the two winners was Baby Booey and Admiral Ackbar. Baby Booey is a fairly well-known reference to Howard Stern Producer, Gary Dell'Abate. Admiral Ackbar is not as easy for some wrestling fans. I received e-mails referring to classic manager General Skandar Akbar. As much as I would love for him to get some respect on current television, Morrison clearly thanked Admiral Ackbar, which takes us from wrestling past to galaxies future. Admiral Ackbar first appeared in The Return of the Jedi and he's known for the line "It's a trap!".

Stupid is as stupid does

Since it's an awards show, it's only fitting that The Miz tormented Festus with an Oscar-winning movie. When The Miz moved Festus' lips and "talked" for him, he quoted the movie Forrest Gump with the line "I may not be a smart man, but I do know what love is." Gump was portrayed by Tom Hanks, which came in handy later as Mike Knox accepted Evan Bourne's trophy for Best Finisher. I've heard people suggest that Knox looks like Jim Duggan, Hillbilly Jim, Bruiser Brody and The Berzerker. Now we can add another. Tom Hanks during the filming of Cast Away.

Hanks made news in 1999 when he showed up at The Academy Awards in full scruffy beard while he was filming Cast Away. Perhaps we shouldn't assume that Knox is unstable. Maybe he's working on character development for an Oscar-worthy movie.

Maybe not.

Vickie and Edge. A love story

Congratulations to Vickie Guerrero and Edge for winning Couple of the Year and congratulations to them for finally mentioning their trouble in paradise. I've mentioned this on the Smackdown Microscope, (Excuse me!) but her acceptance speech was the first time anyone recognized that the last time we saw these two together, he was terrorizing her and she booked him in a match against The Undertaker. (Excuse me!) I'm not sure what you're getting your loved one for the holidays, but a choke slam to hell did not make my wife's wish list. Granted, they've still glossed over most of the back story for Edge's return, but I'm grateful for any explanation. (Excuse me!)

And his big toe isn't doing so well either

Last week we saw Rey Mysterio hit one elbow on the metal ramp, then get kicked by Knox in the other elbow. This week, his elbow was wrapped, but Michael Cole updated us by saying that he actually suffered ligament damage in his wrist. Good follow up from Cole, bad update for Mysterio.

I'm glad we could meet like this

I understand that Raw is different from any other work environment, but just like the ESPN commercials take us behind the scenes of the ESPN studios to show us how life is like throughout the week, I look at the behind the scenes segments as a glimpse of their office. With that in mind, I enjoyed seeing Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes and Manu leaving Stephanie McMahon's office. Even in the strange world of wrestling, she is their boss. Despite this status, Rhodes and Manu weren't wearing shirts and Manu was looking very shiny. I'll assume it's sweat.

I met with my boss today about something which I felt was important. Before I went in, I made sure I was wearing a shirt. Just in case, I double checked to see that I was wearing pants. Finally, I checked to see if I was too shiny. After checking once again about the shirt, I entered his office. The meeting went well.

Casual Fridays at WWE Headquarters must be very interesting.

Next stop Hall of Fame

Vladamir Kozlov took the Slammy for Breakout Star of the Year over Kofi Kingston, Evan Bourne and Ted DiBiase, but that doesn't guarantee future success in the WWE. In 1996, Ahmed Johnson won what was then called The New Sensation of the Squared Circle over The Bodydonnas, Savio Vega, Goldust, and Isaac Yankem. Yankem is celebrating a new three-disc DVD retrospective under his more popular name, Kane, and Goldust just returned to the WWE to apparently feud with Santino Marella.

The following year's winner lasted a bit longer as a peppy youngster with a bright smile and curly hair took home the trophy. Rocky Maivia beat out a solid group of new wrestlers to then WWF scene, including Mankind and Steve Austin. Flash Funk and Marc Mero rounded out the nominations.

Everybody sing!

Although I'm not a big fan of Jillian Hall, I was thrilled to see one Slammy tradition continue with an embarrassing singing performance. In the first Slammy Award Show, Mean Gene Okerlund sang "Tutti Frutti," Jimmy Hart shared "Eat Your Heart Out Rick Springfield," Hillbilly Jim performed "Don't Go Messin' with a Country Boy," and Junkyard graced us with the classic "Grab Them Cakes."

Jimmy Hart was nominated again the next year for "Girls in Cars," but what most remember and some would like to forget is Vince McMahon singing "Stand Back." Most of the roster ended the show with "If You Only Knew."

Providing the perfect close for our Slammy edition of the Microscope is Jillian as she serenaded Khali and Mickie James with "My Heart Will Go On", the love theme from "The Titanic". Please feel free to make your own Titanic show related to Hall's singing. Frankly, I don't have the time. I have to go online and try to find "Grab Them Cakes" on CD.

Lee Stevens goes "Under The Microscope" for Raw and Smackdown. He missed the Bodydonnas, specifically their manager. You can leave comments below or e-mail him at GLStevens.Torch@gmail.com

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