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Greetings from the far off land where championships matter and challengers earn title shots. Let's go Under The Microscope "Chicago Style."

Chris Jericho has something to say

The first Raw after SummerSlam picks up exactly where it should, with the hottest angle in recent memory. If you want to know how hated Chris Jericho is right now, even the Chicago fans wouldn't cheer him. We've seen it so many times with certain crowds, the worse the heel, the more the cheers. Not on this night. Something you might have missed about Jericho's promo: enjoy the silence. Y2J has the confidence to not say anything and know he will still get the desired result.

Also, if you think Rebecca Michaels is doing a fantastic job for never being in the ring before, you're only half correct. She is doing a fantastic job, but she is actually a former Nitro Girl. Her friends call her "Whisper." I'm sure some of your friends call you that too.

In the clips of classic "Heartbreak Kid," we caught a glimpse of the back of the head of Bret Hart. Who would have thought "The Hitman" would have any role in a Shawn Michaels feud?

Where's Waldo?

Yes, that was the former champ, Harley Race in the audience. This is one of the few times I can remember that a celebrity, much less a decorated title holder like Race, is in the audience without a mention or even inclusion in an angle.

Check your local listings

Raw will be on the Sci-Fi Network next week because of USA's coverage of the U.S. Open. Expect Roger Federer to win with his new finisher, unless Rafael Nadal uses outside interference.

Slow down, Dave

Either Batista is a genius and pretended to slip while entering the ring to sell his injuries sustained at SummerSlam, or Batista joined the thousands of us who have tripped at the mall and then pretending that we were starting to run. Either way, great job of Batista and Paul Burchill to continue with the theme and focus on the leg throughout the match.

Great sign during the match, "Batista needs to STFU." If you would like me to translate, bring a written note from your parents.

Thanks for coming, Primo

Primo Colon debuted and got as much air time as Carlito. If there are seven more siblings, we may be able to fill an entire segment.

Jillian and JBL together again

It was good to see JBL follow Jillian Hall. It seems like forever that she got her first big exposure as his personal assistant with a tremendously huge birthmark on her face. It was great to hear "You're The Inspiration" dedicated to Chicago. I hope she continues this with tributes to "Boston," "Europe," "Asia," and other locations.

The final word on JBL; when his limo pulled up, did anyone else notice the pine tree air freshener hanging from the rear view mirror? Remember, here Under The Microscope, it's the little things.

My kind of town, Chicago is

When C.M. Punk said he was going to do it "Chicago Style," did anyone else think pizza? "Chicago Style" is a deep-dish pizza, generally with a buttery sauce, plenty of cheese and chunky tomato sauce. I didn't notice anything resembling that in his match with Jericho, so perhaps there is a different version of "Chicago Style."

Welcome home Mike

Raw commissioner Mike Adamle has been associated with Chicago since his days in college as he attended Northwestern University and then later played in the NFL with the Bears. He also has worked for as a sportscaster in Chicago at various times since 1983. Mike also likes it "Chicago Style," which is the previously mentioned ingredients while reading from a clipboard.

You've earned it. Who are you again?

If you thought D-Lo Brown jumped into a title situation rather quickly, take a look around at the other people involved in his match. Santino won the Intercontinental Title in his first televised match on Raw against Umaga. Kofi Kingston won his first televised match on Raw just after the draft by defeating Chris Jericho. D-Lo has been back for several weeks. Suddenly his title path seems like a journey.

Congratulations on your loss

C.M. Punk lost the match in front of his hometown fans, which isn't big of a deal as some may think. Ask Jim Ross about hometown treatment. Almost annually he would be embarrassed or even physically abused anytime the WWE would come within 20 miles of Oklahoma. Although Punk lost, I hope you noticed that he is still in the The World Heavyweight Championship Scramble (Now just $4.99 at Denny's...ask for it "Chicago Style"!).

Grab your burlap bag and meet me back here next week for a closer look at Raw. Rey Mysterio's tortured mask would have wanted it that way.

Lee Stevens doesn't know everything. He was once fooled by Brian Pillman under a mask. However, he wasn't fooled by Dusty Rhodes as the Midnight Rider, Junkyard Dog as the Junkyard Bee or Andre The Giant as The Giant Machine. You can e-mail him at GLStevens.Torch@Gmail.com

Send feedback on this article to pwtorch@gmail.com and we'll regularly publish reader feedback in the "Torch Feedback" category on the Main Listing.

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