WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from April 30

Seth Rollins lived up to his Monday Night Rollins moniker on Monday's WWE Raw.

In front of a fervent Montreal crowd, the intercontinental champion served as the show's heart. Rollins rocked it on the mic and in the ring. As a result, the IC title served as the brand's real top prize, and the chase for it was Raw's cornerstone.

The rest of the road to Sunday's Backlash pay-per-view didn't hold up its end of things.

This was no great example of a go-home show. Raw saw little advancement of Backlash feuds. Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe doesn't have much more momentum than it did before Monday. Braun Strowman and others got thrown on to the card.

Moving from hyping the Greatest Royal Rumble to PPV hype mode proved difficult.

What clicked and what dragged? What's most worth watching from the latest episode of Raw? The following is a look at those questions via a breakdown of the night's matches and moments.

Roman Reigns Kicks Off Raw

Montreal fans booed Reigns on his arrival. The Big Dog claimed he was the real champ because the referee erred at the Greatest Royal Rumble.

Samoa Joe appeared on the big screen to briefly trash-talk Reigns.

Jinder Mahal emerged to challenge Reigns and proclaim an eventual Universal Championship victory. Sami Zayn soon interrupted, receiving a hero's welcome. Just like Mahal, he wanted a crack at The Big Dog.

Kevin Owens joined the fun moments later with some French words that fired up the crowd.

A fight broke out after Reigns punched KO. The Big Dog took punishment from all three guys until Bobby Lashley made the save. Braun Strowman came in and threw some blows of his own.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "I beat Brock Lesnar in that steel cage."—Reigns.
• "This place just came unglued."—Jonathan Coachman on the reaction to Zayn.
  
• Fans chant "Oui! Oui! Oui!"
• Strowman throws Sunil Singh out of the ring and into Mahal.

Grade

C+

Analysis

A white-hot crowd was the highlight of the segment. The audience's reaction to the hometown guys was fun.

The Reigns situation continues to be frustrating and mind-boggling, though. The announcers tried to brush off the negative reaction to him as a result of Montreal fans being non-conventional. It's clear, though, that his babyface role is ill-fitting right now.

WWE hasn't done nearly enough with Lashley since his return to this point. It has essentially thrown him onto a crowded stage and hoped for the best.

The Raw main event scene needs some clear, focused stories in a hurry.

Elias vs. Bobby Roode

Elias dissed the Montreal fans before breaking into song. Bobby Roode cut the performance short with his entrance.

In the match's early stages, Roode took control, smacking his foe around. Elias was able to ground Roode for a spell and turn up his aggression to gain the advantage.

Elias threw The Glorious One into a ring post, leaving him clutching his throat and gasping for air.

Result

The referee stops the match when Roode is unable to continue.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "I truly am a gift."—Elias.
• Elias hurls Roode across the ring.
• Elias announces himself the winner.

Grade

C

Analysis

The ending, not the average in-ring action, is going to get all the attention following this.

Roode's Ricky Steamboat moment could be the catalyst for this feud to actually get somewhere. WWE has relied on the appeal of his entrance to this point, and this is the first taste of story he's had on Raw.

Elias, meanwhile, continues to grow as a performer. He keeps adding moves to his arsenal to keep things fresh. He needs a more high-octane opponent than Roode to bring out his best, though.

The Authors of Pain vs. Jean-Paul and Francois

The Authors of Pain bowled over the enhancement talents. A few power moves were enough to secure the three-count.

Rezar and Akam barked about their victory afterward.

Result

The Authors of Pain win via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "They're here to dominate."—Coachman.
• "Just because the circus comes to town, you don't have to step into the lion's cage."—Corey Graves.

Grade

D+

Analysis

The Authors of Pain fattening on jobbers makes sense in terms of building them up. It's just not a very entertaining process at times. This was over fast with barely enough time to see the powerhouse's arsenal at work.

Their promo was nothing special, mostly a series of book-related puns and catchphrases.

The Raw tag team division isn't deep at the moment. This won't be the last squash match we see from these two.

Seth Rollins and Finn Balor Reject The Miztourage

Rollins recalled his recent accomplishments in front of an appreciative crowd. He said he wanted to be a fighting champion, unlike Lesnar.

Finn Balor walked out to challenge him to an Intercontinental Championship match.

The Miztourage arrived and derailed that conversation. They wanted Rollins and Balor to join them to form a new version of The Four Horsemen. After being turned down, Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel responded by attacking the babyfaces, which proved to be a mistake.

Moments after Balor and Rollins cleared the ring, the former nailed the IC champ and left him lying.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "I'm no good at this, but 'merci beaucoup.'"—Rollins.
• "They were shaking hands 30 seconds ago."—Coachman.

Grade

A-

Analysis

Rollins revved up the crowd well. It sounded like a Premier League game out there at one point.

He's been on a tremendous roll in 2018, and that was on a display here in a strong babyface promo.

The Irishman flashing a potential heel side was an intriguing touch. There's plenty to dive into between these two once Backlash is done.

Sasha Banks vs. Ruby Riott

Backstage, Sasha Banks expressed her frustrations with Bayley.

In the ring, The Boss outwrestled Ruby Riott early on. The Riott Squad leader couldn't get going.

Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan lurked as Riott eventually took over, wearing out her foe with submission holds.

The Riott Squad distracted the referee when Banks tried to rally back, and that helped the heel take the win. Riott kicked Banks out cold and scored a three-count.

Result

Riott wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "This Raw women's division still runs on boss time."—Banks.
• Riott countered Banks' attempt to leap over her with a kick to the gut.
• Riott hits a cannonball version of the senton bomb.

Grade

A-

Analysis

Banks vs. Riott featured a measured pace for much of the match but churned along until it began to sizzle. These two could tear down the house even more with a longer bout.

The Banks vs. Bayley rivalry only took the smallest of steps here, as the company continues to go the slow-burn route with this narrative.

It's no coincidence that so many of Riott's recent matches have been so good. She's an excellent foil, and WWE needs to keep showcasing her.

Moment of Bliss; Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy Woken Weirdness

Alexa Bliss talked about visiting Disneyland with Nia Jax. She claimed her former friend insulted and bullied her.

In another promo, Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt celebrated their Raw tag team win. Hardy showed images of them appearing in key moments in history, but Wyatt was more serious during his mic time.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "It's a cup. You just sit. In a cup."—Bliss.

Grade

D-

Analysis

The Bliss segments are a case of a talented mic worker trying to salvage a garbage script.

Her attempts to make Jax the villain have fallen flat. There's an afterschool special vibe to these scenes, and it is doing neither woman any good.

The Deleters of Worlds have great potential as champs. WWE is going to make more of a creative effort to explore their uniqueness. This was an unimaginative mash-up of Hardy's and Wyatt's shticks.

Reigns, Strowman and Lashley vs. Mahal, Owens and Zayn

Zayn and Owens goofed around until Reigns started knocking them about.

Lashley soon found himself in the wrong corner taking a beating from the heels. Reigns didn't fare much better soon after and took a pounding of his own.

Strowman stormed in and wreaked havoc.

Chaos broke out as everyone got involved. Strowman emerged the victor amid it all by taking down Owens.

Result

Reigns, Lashley and Strowman win via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Reigns hits a Drive-By on both Owens and Zayn.
• Reigns throws Sunil Singh into and out of the ring.
• Strowman stops a running Owens and hits him with a running powerslam.

Grade

C-

Analysis

This contest was forgettable for the most part, and it felt like filler despite its star power.

Strowman was the highlight as usual. It's so obvious he's the guy WWE should be investing in over Reigns.

Why these two would team up is hard to understand. WWE didn't give the former enemies enough reason to be on the same side.

Baron Corbin vs. No Way Jose

Titus O'Neil recalled his big spill at the Greatest Royal Rumble during a backstage interview with Renee Young. Baron Corbin cut in to mock O'Neil.

On his way to the ring, The Lone Wolf told the audience he was tired of guys such as No Way Jose. He said he and O'Neil weren't on his level.

Corbin had No Way Jose reeling when Titus Worldwide interrupted. The distraction allowed No Way Jose to roll up his foe for the win.

Result

No Way Jose wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "I make money by cracking people in the teeth."—Corbin.
• Apollo Crews dries the floor with a towel to prevent O'Neil from slipping on the ramp.

Grade

D

Analysis

WWE was smart to try to capitalize on O'Neil's trending moment. It could have gotten more out of it than this segment, though. It played up O'Neil's clumsiness and made Corbin look a bumbling fool.

At least No Way Jose got a win out of it.

Corbin vs. O'Neil is a rivalry with little appeal. It's going to take some creativity and overachieving in the ring to make it worthwhile.

Natalya vs. Mickie James

Credit: WWE.com

Ronda Rousey and Natalya

Ronda Rousey accompanied Natalya to ringside; Bliss was in Mickie James' corner.

Natalya zeroed in on James' injured arm. James struck back with a ground-based offense. A distraction from Bliss didn't help things.

Even so, Natalya shook off a bad knee and rolled up James for the win.

Jax emerged to get her hands on Bliss. The Raw woman's champ instead stepped in the ring to raise Rousey and Natalya's hands.

Result

Natalya wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Rousey chases Bliss around the ring.
• Fans chant for Rousey.

Grade

D+

Analysis

This felt like WWE had run out of time for the Raw women's title feud and tried to cram in a quick moment to move things along.

Rousey's partnership with Natalya is giving the veteran some added buzz. Their story needs plenty more fleshing out, though.

Jax vs. Bliss doesn't have nearly the spark it had leading up to WrestleMania. The hero already made the villain pay that night. The rest has been an unnecessary epilogue.

Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor (Intercontinental Championship)

Credit: WWE.com

Finn Balor and Seth Rollins meet in the ring on Raw.

Rollins and Balor traded shots in an even match.

Fast-paced offense dominated. Balor used a lot of heavy strikes, while Rollins flew around the ring.

The former NXT champ scored a number of near-falls but was unable to finish off the titleholder. Rollins couldn't hit his finisher on the first several tries. His final attempt did the job, however, giving The Architect a hard-fought victory.

Result

Rollins wins via pinfall to retain the Intercontinental Championship.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Balor stops a suicide dive attempt with a boot to the face.
• "You want to keep that championship?"—Balor.
• Balor counters a suplex with a Falcon Arrow.

Grade

A+

Analysis

Rollins and Balor's great chemistry was on display again. They could fight every Monday and still make magic.

They knew each other's offense well, each man countering and evading the other. That and a nastier Balor gave this bout a fresh feel.

If Raw isn't going to have the universal champ around, leaning on Rollins, elevating a midcard title and letting wrestling reign is a good way to go.