WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from Sept. 8

The Sept. 8 edition of WWE Raw began and ended inside a steel cage.

In what the company dubbed Raw's "season premiere," fans watched as Bray Wyatt earned a big win and Randy Orton sent a violent message. A rattling cage served as the backdrop each time.

The highlights came often throughout the night. John Cena and Paul Heyman rocked the mic, Damien Sandow made folks laugh and some of NXT's biggest stars got a surprise chance to shine in the Baltimore Arena.

Throw in a classy tribute to Joan Rivers and even Raw's low points couldn't ruin the experience.

From Wyatt vs. Jericho III to Randy Orton vs. Reigns II, the following is a look at all the matches and segments from Monday's Raw. Big moments, winners and letter grades are included.

Chris Jericho vs. Bray Wyatt (Steel Cage Match)

Bray Wyatt embraced his "brothers" before sliding into the steel cage where Chris Jericho awaited him.

Jericho began the bout by pegging Wyatt in the mouth with right hands. He had The Eater of Worlds looking for an early escape after stunning him with stomps.

Quickness and aggressiveness wasn't enough to stay on top, though. The action slowed, favoring the sadistic Wyatt.

He hurled Jericho into the cage wall and later bowled him over.

Y2J fought back, chopping and kicking his way to a momentary advantage. He nailed a Lionsault and hesitated, unsure if he had enough time to escape the cage. That allowed Wyatt time to grab him, wrapping his paws around his ankles.

The match slowed once more, each man pounding on the other. Wyatt escaped a Walls of Jericho attempt, slammed his foe to the mat and grinned after only getting a two-count.

A gutsy Jericho floored Wyatt before reaching the top of the cage. Luke Harper and Erick Rowan waited for him at the bottom, so he launched himself at Wyatt.

The dive left Jericho's leg in bad shape. He struggled to slip out of the cage door, but Wyatt was right on top of him.

Wyatt rolled over his opponent, falling on the floor to win the match. 

Harper then locked the door with Wyatt and Jericho inside, allowing his patriarch to pummel the former world champ.

Result

Wyatt wins via escape.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"The only thing that limits you in match like this is your imagination."—JBL.

Jericho dropkicks Wyatt into the cage wall.

Wyatt hits a superplex before crawling to the cage door with a spider walk.

Jericho hits a diving crossbody from the top of the cage.

"Is this your hero?"—Wyatt to the crowd about Jericho.

Grade

A

Analysis

What a way to start the show.

Wyatt earned a much-needed win in an intense match that surpassed his and Jericho's effort at Battleground. Jericho was excited in defeat, especially his long flight down from the top of the cage.

The post-match beating could have been a lot more vicious, but it's excellent to see Wyatt get back to the destructive ways he has strayed away from as of late.

WWE would have been smarter to have him pin Jericho rather than escape. Monsters don't seem like the escaping type.

Still, the company gave Jericho and Wyatt a steel-lined stage on which to begin the show with great momentum, and both men delivered.

Dolph Ziggler Shares Some Photos

Dolph Ziggler talked about the recent leak of nude celebrity photos. He said he had some "interesting" photos of The Miz. 

Images of The Miz in a beauty mask and shaving his chest appeared on the big screen. The Miz then charged out with Damien Sandow at his side. He threatened that he would get Ziggler blacklisted.

The Showoff showed one last pic of Sandow spray-tanning Miz's bare body.

That got The Miz hot enough to run into the ring, but he soon thought better of fighting the IC champ. He and Sandow retreated, while Ziggler held up his title belt.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"Who's talking the pictures?"—JBL.

Sandow mimics The Miz's movements.

Grade

B

Analysis

WWE too often tries too hard to tie in current events with its storylines, but it made perfect sense to use the hacking scandal with a wanna-be celebrity like The Miz. It was a fun way to use his character.

Sandow was excellent as his sidekick. The stunt-double business has been a great boost for him.

The segment was fun, but WWE is going to need to add some more intensity to this feud to have it reach its full potential. In the next weeks, fans need to see that The Miz is more than just a whiner and that he has a shot of dethroning Ziggler at Night of Champions.

Rosa Mendes and Natalya vs. AJ Lee and Paige

AJ Lee gave Paige puppy eyes as she walked to the ring. Her expression shifted to one of being unimpressed soon after, though.

Natalya controlled Paige early with her technical wrestling prowess. When it was Rosa Mendes' turn, Paige was the one handing out the offense, kicking her foe in the gut and kneeing her in her chest.

Paige refused to tag AJ in, but her opponent at Night of Champions smacked her across the collarbone to tag herself in.

AJ clamped on the Black Widow for the win. The winning partners then took turns kissing the Divas Championship.

Result

AJ and Paige win via submission.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

AJ's chest-stinging tag.

Grade

C

Analysis

It would have been great to see more of Natalya, as she and Paige have plenty of chemistry to tap into. This short, forgettable match was more about Paige and AJ's tension than the actual action.

WWE appears to be holding back on the real animosity between those two women, hopefully leading to a massive climax at some point.

For now, this feud hasn't satisfied. Title kisses and spurned chocolates haven't led to a compelling story yet.

Paul Heyman Has a Message for John Cena

Paul Heyman told the fans in the Baltimore Arena that he didn't fear John Cena's "thuganomics." He announced that he had a message from Brock Lesnar to deliver.

Cena didn't give him a chance to finish his thought. The No. 1 contender for the WWE title jogged down the entrance ramp.

Heyman noted that he had been authorized to tell him how to beat Lesnar. Cena didn't want it. He said all he needed to do was "never give up."

Lesnar's advocate said The Beast Incarnate only hears his manager, the referee and his victim's suffering during his matches. Heyman talked about Cena hearing the fan's chants and his inner desire to tell fans to shut up.

He tried to get Cena to listen in on his dark desires. Cena teased at doing so, but instead he funneled his rage at Heyman.

Cena talked about his influence on kids, Internet fans hating him and his Make-A-Wish work. He told a story about meeting a veteran and how powerful the experience was.

Before exiting, he made a challenge. If Lesnar didn't come fight him next Monday, he'd take on Heyman instead.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"Is it me, or can he just not help being John Cena?"—Heyman.

"What happens when that big, fat, unemployed guy in the sixth row right there says 'Cena sucks'?"—Heyman. 

"You're getting punked out in your hometown like the Baltimore Ravens."—Heyman.

"If I strip it away, what did I really win?"—Cena.

Grade

A-

Analysis

When two of WWE's best mic workers get together, this is the kind of excellence you expect.

Cena's speech was moving even if it was corny. Heyman's rant was a lot of what Kane and Bray Wyatt have said to Cena in the past, but it was made fresh by his mock-rapping and uniquely sharp tongue.

Cena threatening Heyman, who hasn't ever put his hands on him, is out of character for him. He talked so much about being a role model only to then promise to hurt a little weasel of a man if he didn't get his way.

That odd choice and the segment going on a bit long brings the grade down some. It did hint at Lesnar and Cena colliding on the go-home Raw which promises to be a can't-miss event.

Seth Rollins vs. Sheamus

Sheamus knocked Seth Rollins' Money in the Bank briefcase out of his hand before their fight began.

The Celtic Warrior clobbered Rollins early. He drove an elbow into his brow and punched him in the ribs. 

Cesaro's music interrupted the one-sided brawl. Sheamus' future challenger watched on from ringside as Rollins took control via a kick to the head.

Mr. Money in the Bank evaded Sheamus, attacking him after he collided with the ring post. Rollins then tried to squeeze out his air with a sleeper.

The U.S. champ charged back, though. A pair of running knees and an Irish Curse backbreaker had Rollins spent on the mat.

Cesaro messing with Sheamus' title distracted the Irishman. They squabbled over the belt before Rollins took advantage. A Curb Stomp later and Sheamus had suffered a rare loss.

The King of Swing calmly made his way in the ring and attacked Sheamus. He left the U.S. title laying across his unconscious body.

Result

Rollins wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

Sheamus and Cesaro's tug of war with the U.S. title.

"You take your watch off to scout?"—Jerry Lawler on Cesaro.

Grade

B-

Analysis

This was not either man's best match of the year. Their chemistry has been far better against other opponents, but there was some solid action here.

Having Cesaro distract and then ambush Sheamus does keep their bad blood flowing, but it's not a creative route. It's been a run-of-the-mill feud so far, lacking the spark that existed between them earlier in the year.

They won't need much pre-match storytelling to pull of a great match, though. Their in-ring styles mesh perfectly together, and battling over the U.S. title is enough narrative to get by on.

Rusev and the Russian National Anthem

Lana calling Baltimore a decrepit city got the fans chanting "USA!" After singing a mock version of the American national anthem, she and Rusev stood proudly as the Russian one was blaring on the loudspeaker.

The announcer spoke about how disrespectful this act was.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

None

Grade

F

Analysis

This felt like a half-finished scene. Was there supposed to be more? Did someone cut to commercial too soon?

Every segment can't be spectacular, but they have to at least be allowed to reach some sort of conclusion.  

Either officials didn't give Rusev and Lana enough time to do much more than begin a chapter or this was a case of hurried, ineffective booking. Either way, this was missing several beats.

Tyler Breeze and Tyson Kidd vs. Sami Zayn and Adrian Neville

The four Superstars battling in the main event on NXT Takeover 2 met early in tag action.

Tyson Kidd grounded Sami Zayn. Tyler Breeze then delivered his own blows, snapping Zayn's neck and kicking him in the chest.

Zayn slipped away to tag Adrian Neville in. The NXT champ zipped around the ring, wowing the crowd. The pace picked up with both fan favorites hitting high-flying moves.

Neville finished things off Red Arrow.

Result

Neville and Zayn win via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

Fans chante "Ole!" for Zayn.

Zayn dives out of the ring onto Kidd.

"I've never seen anything like this kid in 20 years."—JBL on Neville.

Grade

B+

Analysis

Rather than bring back legends for a big event, WWE wisely plucked from the future. Showcasing these four men not only promotes Takeover 2 and the WWE Network, it also introduces fans to the rapidly rising prospects.

Neville was the clear star, getting the last flurry of action and earning piles of praise from the announcers.

Zayn got a good response from the crowd, and then Neville's astounding move set seemed to garner him some new fans. The debuts were an exciting surprise.

Jerry Springer Intervention

Stephanie McMahon talked families splintering, reflecting on wrestling her own father. She then welcomed Jerry Springer.

Springer watched the recap of last week's Bellas segment. He asked Brie Bella why she apologized after hitting her sister. Nikki Bella soon came out to join them.

Nikki and Brie shook hands, surprising Springer.

Calling herself classy and intelligent, Nikki talked up her role on Total Divas and her upcoming title match. Clips of the reality show ran recounting the tension between the sisters.

The Bellas' parents spoke on prerecorded videos about how this infighting was affecting them. Their brother joined them in the ring before the sisters began catfighting.

Their brawl knocked the Bellas' brother out of the ring and Springer onto his face. Medical staff then had to wheel the talk show host out of the ring area.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"I have no idea what to say."—JBL.

"Now Jason cuts in. Fire him, Jerry."—JBL on Springer's bodyguard not stopping the fight at first.

Springer gives a thumbs-up as he's carted out.

Grade

C+

Analysis

Having Springer around was a fun, silly addition to this feud. It's a story that continues to try to be serious, but it is so over-the-top, it's hard to not chuckle at it.

In fact, Springer and McMahon seemed to be doing a bit of that in the middle of it.

This was one of the better Bellas segments of their feud. It was amusing and more straightforward than some of the previous ones.

Still, it's baffling that WWE keeps painting Brie as the bad one, as Nikki was the one who turned heel. The result is that neither character has generated any empathy. 

When they started rolling around on the mat, it was hard to care who came out the victor.

Goldust and Stardust vs. Los Matadores

Los Matadores had Stardust on their back early. When Goldust came in, the bullfighters tossed him around as well.

The brothers sunk their fangs into their foes soon after, though. Stardust swiped at Diego's legs. Goldust attacked Fernando from behind.

Hitting Dark Matter was enough for Stardust to get the pin.

The Usos then popped out from the backstage area, Jey swinging his crutch. The Rhodes scattered in retreat.

Result

Stardust and Goldust win via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"The Usos have got to be careful. Stardust and Goldust extremely dangerous."—Michael Cole.

Grade

C+

Analysis

Its good to see Goldust and Stardust get a win, showing off more of their nasty side and having a run-in with The Usos. 

The brevity of the match, though, keeps these moments from being memorable. WWE could have had the brothers display more of their viciousness with additional ring time. 

The teams did well with the little they were given.

Adam Rose vs. Titus O'Neil

An angry Titus O'Neil dominated Adam Rose.

The bunny looked on, cheering on his comrade. His bouncing distracted O'Neil. Heath Slater looked to stop him, only to get a boot to the mush.

Rose then hit Party Foul on O'Neil for the win. The bunny then hit a splash onto O'Neil from the top turnbuckle.

Result

Rose wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"The bunny just super-kicked Heath Slater!"—JBL.

Grade

D+

Analysis

The bunny stuff is fun, but it felt like the match was designed solely to display those moments and to offer nothing else. 

Give Slater and the bunny more of a reason to go at each other, even if it is something to play for laughs. Let Rose do something in the ring other than his finishing move. 

There's no way he's going to catch on if he's not allowed to show off more of his skills.

Randy Orton vs. Roman Reigns

Earlier in the night, Randy Orton promised to do something to Roman Reigns worse than what Seth Rollins did to Dean Ambrose a few weeks ago. He warmed up by ambushing Chris Jericho in the trainer's area.

He began the matchup well, slamming Reigns' head into the ring steps. Reigns fought back with a clothesline, compelling The Viper to roll out of the ring. 

Moments later, Orton slammed Reigns' face on the steps, yanked on his hair and sent him over the top rope with a clothesline of his own. The match looked a lot like their SummerSlam meeting—Orton leading, Reigns suffering.

When Reigns had his chance on the offensive, he smashed Orton's ribs against the security railing.

Orton responded with a superplex. With Reigns in his grip, he hit him with rapid punches to the head. Reigns kept fighting back, but Orton kept finding ways to halt his momentum.

Just as Reigns looked to have a flurry going, Orton called out The Authority. The Viper motioned for the steel cage to come down. Reigns fought off Kane and Seth Rollins as the cage slid down into place.

Reigns then threw Orton into the cage wall several times before spearing him.

Rollins and Kane made their way back inside, both attacking the powerhouse. Orton followed with a succession of chair shots to the shoulder blades. A Curb Stomp from Rollins against that chair was the final blow.

Result

Match ends in a no-contest.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"Randy Orton is just old-manning him."—JBL.

Orton catches Reigns in mid-air and hits a powerslam. 

Orton glares at the camera with a dribble of blood on his chin.

Rollins dives onto Reigns from the top of the cage.

Grade

A-

Analysis

Orton showed off his ring-general status. He led the way with the emerging star who is still in proving-himself mode.

We're going to need to see Reigns in a match that has a different arc. This looked like a remix of their SummerSlam battle. 

The match itself wasn't the highlight here. It was the attack that followed that will have people talking.

It was an exciting way to cap things off. Orton and Rollins got their villainous moments, and Reigns will have plenty of motivation against either man at Night of Champions.

The beatdown was captivating, straight-ahead dastardliness that made the heels look dangerous.