WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from June 29

The Authority attempted to remain unified and unstoppable Monday night as Raw rolled through our nation's capitol, Washington, D.C.

Rollins had a few surprises in mind for J&J Security and Kane, while Bray Wyatt was interested with playing mind games and costing Roman Reigns a high-profile tag team match against the current WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins.

Dolph Ziggler and Rusev's issues intensified with the introduction of a new woman into the mix, that being Summer Rae. A catfight between her and Lana had fans everyone hearing the shrieking voice of Joey Styles in their minds.

The Intercontinental and Divas Championships took center stage, while John Cena and Cesaro wrestled a Raw match for the ages in his latest U.S. title open challenge.

This week's show was wrestling heavy, but did that make for a better product?

WWE turned in a solid enough show Monday night, Battleground just weeks away on pay-per-view. Now, you can relive the broadcast with this week's look at grades, highlights, winners and analysis. 

Seth Rollins Promo

Seth Rollins kicked off the evening's show, flanked by Kane and J&J Security.

He was in a giving mood, presenting them with new watches to start. From there, he gave Kane a trip to Hawaii and Jamie Noble and Joey Mercury a brand new Cadillac.

The Unified Authority (as Michael Cole would repeat over and over again) was giddy like children on Christmas morning. Noble incessantly honked the car horn as the segment ended abruptly with Big Show's arrival.

Grade

C-

Analysis

This was an awful way to kick off this week's show.

It took 15 minutes of television time that could have been used on literally anything else. Everything accomplished here could have been done in a backstage segment lasting a whopping three minutes.

Instead, it was an overly long segment that did nothing but put more attention on The Authority...something that would not be an issue by the end of the night.

Mark Henry vs. Big Show

The product of last week's disagreement, Mark Henry met Big Show in the night's opening contest.

Henry started strong, delivering a big splash, but fell victim to the Knockout Punch just moments later.

Show picked up the pinfall victory.

After the match, Ryback hit the ring and a brawl ensued. The Miz, who was on commentary, entered the ring and tried to sneak-attack the IC champion but fled from the ring. Ryback demanded their match, originally slated for later in the show, begin immediately. 

Result

Big Show defeated Mark Henry.

Grade

D

Analysis

This was one way to get Ryback, The Miz and Big Show into the same segment to hype their intercontinental title match, but poor Mark Henry, whom we are still supposed to buy as a legitimate star, suffered, losing in just over one minute.

A weak way to kick off the in-ring portion of the show and the second straight ugh-inducing segment thus far.

Ryback vs. The Miz

The Miz worked over Ryback with some generic offense, relying heavily on a series of boots to the face to try to keep his more powerful opponent grounded.

The intercontinental champion fought back, though, and had his rival set up for the Meathook clothesline, when The Miz ducked out of the ring and headed up the ramp, much more inclined to take the count-out loss than suffer any more punishment at the hands of The Big Guy.

Result

Ryback defeated The Miz by count-out.

Grade

C-

Analysis

This was a much more effective way to tell a story than the first match.

Here, The Miz was the cowardly heel who was perfectly content while pummeling Ryback but ducked out of harm's way the second things did not go his way. Props to the announcers for reminding fans that The Miz will not be able to take the easy way out at Battleground, thanks to the lack of count-outs and disqualifications in the Triple Threat match for the IC title.

Paige vs. Alicia Fox

The newest member of Team Bella saw in-ring action this week as Alicia Fox battled No. 1 contender Paige in singles competition.

Paige controlled the action early, delivering a Thesz Press and unleashing a series of hard rights about the head of Fox. After rolling to the outside to chase after her opponent, though, Paige was momentarily distracted by Brie and Nikki Bella at ringside, allowing Fox to take a cheap shot at turning things in her favor.

Fox delivered a huge backbreaker following the commercial that threatened to put Paige down for the count, but the raven-haired beauty kicked out, proving quite resilient.

A series of knees to the face fueled Paige's comeback, while a superkick nearly put Fox away. Interference from Nikki backfired, though, as Paige was able to counter a rollup for the win. 

Result

Paige defeated Alicia Fox.

Grade

C+

Analysis

This was a good, long wrestling match between two women who know how to work, have held championships and can deliver something worth watching when given the time.

The booking here was perfect as the Bellas provided the distraction that allowed Fox to take control, but Paige learned from her earlier mistake and was able to emerge victorious.

While there was a three-minute commercial break, it was a pleasant surprise to see the girls get as much time as they did.

United States Championship Match: John Cena vs. Cesaro

John Cena issued his weekly open challenge for the United States Championship, a challenge Kevin Owens initially accepted.

Or so we thought.

The NXT champion bailed out of the ring and revealed that Cesaro would be stepping up to the plate. Owens, instead, sat in on the match's commentary.

Cena and Cesaro delivered a 20-minute, action-packed match.

Late in the match, a flurry of uppercuts led to the Cesaro Swing. A Sharpshooter from the Swiss Superman, in honor of his injured tag partner, Tyson Kidd, nearly earned him the U.S. title. Unfortunately, an increasingly frustrated Owens attacked Cesaro, drawing the DQ decision.

A popup powerbomb left Cena lying down to close out the segment.

Result

Cesaro defeated John Cena by DQ.

Grade

A+ 

Analysis

The match was by no means perfect, but how anyone can watch that extraordinary bout and deny Cesaro a push going forward is beyond this writer. The guy has long been one of the best workers on the roster, and Monday night, he wrestled a Raw classic against the biggest star in the sport for the second consecutive year.

This was an outstanding performance from Cesaro and further evidence of Cena's all-time greatness. 

The interference worked because Owens generated more heel heat for ruining such a phenomenal match, while Cesaro was protected from defeat. It worked all the way around and was the best thing WWE has booked in weeks.

The Lucha Dragons and The Prime Time Players vs. Bo Dallas and The New Day

Bo Dallas bumped around for The Prime Time Players early, eventually taking a spill at ringside that brought both teams face-to-face just in time for a commercial break.

Back inside, the Darren Young found himself isolated from his teammates. He made the hot tag to Titus O'Neil, as usual, and the former Florida Gator cleared house. The Lucha Dragons wiped out most of The New Day, leaving Kingston and O'Neil alone.

Titus delivered the sit-out slam for the pinfall victory.

Result

The Prime Time Players and The Lucha Dragons defeated Bo Dallas and The New Day. 

Grade

B-

Analysis

With 14 minutes of ring time to play around with, the tag teams had a great opportunity to get their spots in without having to rush. The result was a fun, entertaining eight-man tag that saw The Prime Time Players again put over hard, courtesy of a win over The New Day.

What was once the hottest heel act in WWE, though, is suddenly in danger of losing its momentum. Big E, Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston worked hard to overcome booking once before. It would be a shame to see their hard work wasted again.

Dolph Ziggler and Lana Promo

Dolph Ziggler and Lana made their way to the ring for a promo. Ziggler said that their relationship may not have started as love at first sight, but it has certainly developed over time.

Lana detailed the oppression she lived under while paired with Rusev, which brought the Bulgarian Brute and new blonde associate Summer Rae to the squared circle.

Ziggler warned Rusev to get over it or risk getting his other leg broken.

Summer Rae talked trash, ending by calling Lana a phony. She slapped her, and a catfight between the bombshells ensued.

The Showoff and the Ravishing Russian stood tall to end the segment. 

Grade

B-

Analysis

Things were bumpy at first, with Ziggler obviously taking the temperature of the crowd and trying to figure out what would and would not work best. From there, the "what" chants threatened to derail Lana, but she fought through them nicely.

The catfight between Lana and Summer Rae was a great way to continue developing the Lana character. Always prim and proper, even as a heel, it was nice to see her fight back. It is that type of booking that will lead to her becoming a huge star going forward.

While the segment may not have made me want to see Ziggler vs. Rusev, it certainly planted the seeds for a mixed tag bout sometime down the line.

Neville vs. Sheamus

Mr. Money in the Bank squared off with The Man That Gravity Forgot Monday night.

Sheamus wore Neville down in one portion of the bout, using his Irish Curse backbreaker on three straight occasions, the purpose being to drive the air from his much smaller opponent.

Neville fought back, though, and appeared poised to deliver Red Arrow. A well-timed strike of the ropes sent Neville crashing downward.

A Brogue Kick attempt by Sheamus was ducked but a second was not, delivering the Celtic Warrior a victory. 

Result

Sheamus defeated Neville.

Grade

B-

Analysis

A good match here from two immensely talented workers.

They were the final two stars to battle over Money in the Bank so it makes sense that WWE would put them together in singles competition.

Where this leaves either man going forward is a mystery. Sheamus has feuded with Randy Orton recently so his path is a bit clearer.

Jack Swagger vs. King Barrett

King Barrett's royal decree that everyone bow before him was blatantly disregarded by Jack Swagger, who put up a brief flurry of offense but fell in defeat to the 2015 King of the Ring, courtesy of the Bull Hammer. 

Result

King Barrett defeated Jack Swagger.

Grade

D-

Analysis

Other than putting Barrett over, what did this serve?

Jack Swagger is so far gone at this point, it would be better for everyone involved that WWE wish him well on his future endeavors and let him move on.

A match that meant nothing.

Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins and Kane

Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns attempted to put an end to The Authority's dominance Monday night in a No DQ tag team match.

A kendo stick had been introduced into the match, and Reigns and Ambrose were running rampant, when the lights went off and Bray Wyatt appeared. He attacked Reigns, leaving Ambrose to try and fend for himself. 

It did not end well for him. Ambrose was pinned following a chokeslam and the Pedigree.

After the match, Reigns attempted to fend The Authority off on his own and ate a powerbomb from Rollins, through a table set up earlier in the match.

Bray Wyatt finished things off to close out the show, delivering Sister Abigail.  

Result

Kane and Seth Rollins defeated Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose.

Grade

C

Analysis

This was fine. The action was hard-hitting, and the offense believable. Unfortunately, it was a horrendously overbooked piece of television, with The Authority again basking in the spotlight, no doubt Triple H's way of living vicariously through a young Rollins, whose character feels very much like a modern-day version of himself.

Wyatt's interference was a good call but one that really did nothing to further the story.

A solid enough main event with a lukewarm finish did this no favors.