By Lee Stevens, PWTorch Specialist

Thank you for joining me once again as we put Smackdown "Under The Microscope." For new readers, this is not a complete recap. Instead, it's a closer look at some of the significant and completely insignificant details of Smackdown which happened to catch my eye.

The world is ordering

Before we deal with the actual show, let's put the opening "Under The Microscope." The WWE opening video which ends with J.R. announcing, "The world is watching," features several past Royal Rumble winners. Hulk Hogan ('90 & '91), Ric Flair ('92), Bret Hart ('94), Shawn Michaels ('95 & '96), Steve Austin ('97 & '98), Vince McMahon ('99), The Rock ('00), Triple H ('02), Batista ('05), Rey Mysterio ('06), The Undertaker ('07), and John Cena ('08) are all featured in the large monitor in the middle of the screen. There are other smaller screens visible on the left and right sides, which could indeed feature some of the remaining winners not listed. I only deal with the big screen. It's a big screen. It's a big, bad screen tonight.

Pyro uh-oh

After building up the drama of Jeff Hardy's bad fortune with the pyro last week, I appreciated a small comment from Jim Ross as Edge was introduced. J.R. reminded us of the danger of the explosions, which seems obvious, but it also shows that everyone was paying attention.

If the WWE really wanted to get the point across, they could have banned pyro for this week. They acknowledged that someone tampered with the equipment, harming their current champion. I think that warrants a one-week suspension of all explosions, at least for storyline purposes. It may have added even more drama to the situation.

Punk'd

If you noticed Edge's t-shirt, you may have had a moment when you thought that he was being surprisingly supportive of a publication dealing with Mr. Straight Edge. Actually, "Punk Magazine," which was featured on his shirt, was created in 1975 and dealt with the punk rock scene, specifically the club CBGB. The Sex Pistols, Iggy Pop, and Blondie were several artists featured on the cover.

Back to school

Shelton Benjamin has made no secret of his time at The University of Minnesota and lately, he's been spending his in-ring time with The Undertaker. He is very cautious in the ring and there are times when he appears to be studying "The Dead Man," which caused me to look closer.

Yes, The University of Minnesota has a Mortuary Science Program where you too can study the dead man. The program celebrated its 100th anniversary in November of 2008. The objectives of the program include:

(1) To enlarge the background and knowledge of students about the funeral service profession.
(2) To educate students in every phase of funeral service, and to help them to develop the proficiency and skills necessary of the profession.
(3) To educate students concerning the responsibilities of the funeral service profession to the community at large.

It sounds more like Paul Bearer. Especially since it doesn't mention anything about rolling your own eyes to the back of your head and saying "rest in peace" in a menacing tone. Oh well, we'll keep looking.

Two creams and a sugar please

I appreciate Chavo Guerrero's frustration which he so eloquently expressed this week. "Triple H thinks that I'm a gofer. You people have been calling me a gofer. I am not a gofer." I agree. Chavo is not a gofer. That would be Shelton Benjamin again. A golden gopher to be specific. Other famous gophers include Ric Flair, Greg Gagne, Brock Lesnar and this gopher on the right, who is still wanted for his role in the senseless destruction of Bushwood Country Club. Remember, gambling is illegal at Bushwood and Judge Smails never slices.

The Great Khali-bay

I respect Chavo for stepping up to defend his family's honor and I appreciate the follow through on the Khali/Chavo/Triple H/Vickie stop-me-before-I-slash-again storyline. If you remember, Chavo has an issue with the Great Khali because he was the first to have the alleged naked photos of his Aunt Vickie, which apparently Khali won on eBay. Stepping into the ring is one way to resolve a dispute, but if you visit the auction website, you will see that they have a Resolution Center which has several courses of action depending on your concern. Among those listed are: Problem contacting a buyer, not receiving an item you paid for, and I have a problem with another eBay member. I think that last option would have been safer for Chavo.

M-V-P

Don't worry, you weren't the only one to miss the celebration of MVP ending his winning streak. We all missed out on the opportunity. If we are expected to still be invested in his character after zero wins since August, please give us a payoff. It doesn't have to be the red carpet in the ring and balloons dropping from the ceiling, but at least give us a backstage celebration with a bit of champagne. A small gathering of friends and a brief moment of recognition is the least you can do. Technically, nothing is the absolute least you can do, so mission accomplished, I guess.

Jeff-D-R

A decent interview from Jeff Hardy also provided a timely quote. With the inauguration this week, Hardy brought out the classic, "nothing to fear, but fear itself." The actual quote is "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself," spoken by president Franklin Delano Roosevelt at his first inaugural address. FDR used these words to calm a worried nation fearful about a raging bank crisis. Sadly, the words still ring true 70 years later.

But the O.C. is coming on!

During Matt Hardy's match with Edge, I'm sure I wasn't the only one to take a peek under the ring as Hardy searched for a weapon. Did you see the monitor amidst the trash cans and kendo sticks? I wasn't shocked to see that there was a monitor under there, but I was a bit surprised that it was turned on. Either this was a precaution in case the announcer's monitors go out, or someone who was underneath forgot to turn it off after they were finished. Hornswoggle, I'm looking at you.

Thank you, J.R.

A huge pat on the back to Jim Ross for one word; figuratively. Just as Hardy missed with a clothesline, he mentioned that Edge "dodged a bullet...figuratively." Too often, announcers have been caught up in the moment and offered up a literally where it just didn't fit. "They are literally hanging from the rafters," "he literally ripped his head off," and "the arena literally exploded!"

Kudos to Ross for getting it correct.

This rule doesn't apply to classic Gorilla Monsoon broadcasts. If The Gorilla says he literally ripped his head off, maybe he did.

At the movies

After Vince McMahon's quick dismissal of "The Wrestler," I'm sure I wasn't the only one stunned to see a well-placed promo for the movie within Smackdown. I'm sure McMahon the businessman saw an opportunity for his company and congratulations to him for recognizing that window. Even if the movie doesn't necessarily show the positive side of the business, it is exposure to a new audience. Wrestling "fans" already understand the sacrifices needed to make a mark in this line of work. This movie has a chance to catch someone else.

The movie "Sideways" provided a boost to the wine industry and "Swingers" did the same with the swing dance movement. Both movies showcased an activity which had fiercely loyal followers, but had stories which appealed to people who didn't even like the subject matter. Casual observers related to the characters, became curious and wanted to learn more, leading to short-term growth in both instances. Time will tell if the casual observers find anything they enjoy with WWE, TNA, ROH or any other group, but McMahon is smart to give it a chance.

Congratulations to the cast and crew of "The Wrestler" for their two Oscar nominations. Congratulations to "Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia" for being rented by a guy named Oscar.

Lee Stevens goes "Under The Microscope" for Smackdown and Raw. You can leave comments below or e-mail him at GLStevens.Torch@gmail.com

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