WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from September 15

The September 15 episode of Raw should have been a great go-home show for WWE as it prepares to present its Night of Champions pay-per-view this Sunday night. Instead, the company continued the treadmill booking that has resulted in a stale, boring and lethargic post-SummerSlam product.

Roman Reigns pinned Seth Rollins clean in a match that is already scheduled for Sunday's event. Chris Jericho defeated Kane, while his Night of Champions opponent Randy Orton did nothing of note outside of a backstage promo.

John Cena and Brock Lesnar engaged in some uneven storytelling heading into their monumental rematch, while Big Show and Bray Wyatt stank up the joint with a poor match smack dab in the middle of the show.

While the talent clearly tried hard, WWE Creative dropped the ball tremendously.

Relive the misfire that was this week's Raw now with grades, analysis and highlights from the September 15 USA Network broadcast.

John Cena and Paul Heyman In-Ring Segment

The September 15 episode of Raw kicked off with Cena reiterating his threats to dish out physical punishment to Paul Heyman if he did not manage to produce his client, and WWE World Heavyweight champion, Brock Lesnar by the time the Monday Night Football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts went to halftime.

He ultimately penned Heyman up in a locker room backstage and recruited Great Khali to guard the door, ensuring that Heyman could not escape.

Highlights and Quotes

"If I were Heyman, I'd make a phone call."—JBL.

Grade

C-

Analysis

After weeks of showing renewed edge and really putting over the threat of Lesnar, Cena reverted back to some of the silliness and goofiness fans have come to despise about him. It made for a very uneven and disjointed opening promo and nearly ruined all that had been done to build the much-anticipated rematch at Night of Champions.

It was a poor opening to the show that, unfortunately, set the tone for the remainder of the broadcast.

Chris Jericho vs. Kane

Just days before his pay-per-view showdown with Randy Orton, Chris Jericho met The Authority's Kane in the night's opening contest.

Kane overwhelmed Jericho with his considerable power advantage, but Y2J was able to fight back on numerous occasions to put himself in a position to win.

It appeared as though Kane's deviousness would reign supreme as he exposed a turnbuckle, but Jericho avoided the steel and ultimately sent his opponent into it face-first, rolling him up and scoring the pinfall victory as he garnered momentum heading into Sunday's event.

Result

Chris Jericho wins, via pinfall, with a rollup.

Highlights and Quotes

"Jericho's had quote the last two Raws. Kane this week and cage match against Bray Wyatt last week."—JBL, with a great point.

Grade

B-

Analysis

Chris Jericho and Kane are two guys who, during their prime some 14 years ago, did not have particularly good matches, so how anyone could have expected anything different at a time when their bodies are wearing down and neither is as good as he used to be is a mystery.

Still, they worked extremely hard, and Jericho scored a big win over a future Hall of Famer to help him get on a roll heading into what should be his last match for quite some time when he meets The Viper at Night of Champions.

Jack Swagger vs. Bo Dallas

The feud between Bo Dallas and Jack Swagger culminated Monday night as they met in singles competition.

Each man was aggressive in the attacks early in the match, but in the end, it was Swagger who was able to counter Dallas' attempts at the Bo-Dog to trap the third-generation star in the Patriot Lock and force a tapout.

It was another match that could have been added to the pay-per-view card, or the Kickoff show of Night of Champions, but it was instead blown off on Raw.

Result

Jack Swagger wins, via submission, with the Patriot Lock.

Highlights and Quotes

"He's like a Winston Churchill come to life."—JBL on Bo Dallas.

"Which side of the Civil War did he fight on?"—Lawler on Zeb Colter.

Grade

C

Analysis

A very competitive match that could have been so much better in front of a more passionate crowd and with more time to unfold. 

The counters late were very well-done, and the finish involving Swagger's Patriot Lock was outstanding.

The Perry, Oklahoma, native has excelled to such an extent as a babyface performer that it is a wonder that WWE did not try Swagger out in that role previously. Who knows what road he would have followed to the top of the industry had that been the case.

AJ Lee and Brie Bella vs. Nikki Bella and Paige

Just days before a Triple Threat match for the Divas Championship at Night of Champions, titleholder Paige teamed with upcoming opponent Nikki Bella to take on AJ Lee and Brie Bella.

The action between the ropes was short, with Brie Bella wrestling the entire bout for her team. With Nikki refusing to get in the ring with her, Brie tried her luck against Paige, who overwhelmed the former Divas champion and was likely on her way to victory, regardless of whether Nikki had pulled AJ off the ring apron, preventing the hot tag or not.

Paige destroyed Brie with the Ram-Paige for the win and then watched as Nikki delivered the Rack Attack to her sister.

Result

Paige and Nikki Bella win, via pinfall, when Paige pinned Brie Bella.

Highlights and Quotes

"There may be other fish in the sea, but there's only one Paige.—Lawler.

"Psychologists would have a field day with these four."—JBL.

Grade

C

Analysis

As a match, the entire segment was useless. As the continuation of the rivalry between the women involved, it succeeded.

Nikki again got the best of Brie, leaving her lying there, while AJ continued to play mind games with Paige. The imagery of Paige cuddling her title, grasping it tightly against her chest, while AJ skipped around ringside, really told the story of a young woman who realizes she may be in over her head.

Big Show vs. Bray Wyatt

Big Show and Bray Wyatt wrestled their first majorly televised match Monday night, and to say it was not pretty would be an understatement.

Wyatt attacked Big Show right after the bell rang, targeting the kidneys of his opponent before finding himself tossed around the squared circle and his body racked with pain following a big chop.

Wyatt wore Big Show down with a headlock, a move that was used entirely too often Monday night. Still Big Show mounted his comeback and was on his way to victory when Luke Harper and Erick Rowan interfered, drawing the disqualification finish.

After the match, Big Show delivered a massive double chokeslam to Harper and Rowan.

Result

Big Show wins via disqualification.

Highlights and Quotes

"I'd like to see you without your mask on."—JBL.

Grade

D

Analysis

It was not exactly the match you want fans to see if the purpose is to eventually book them in a feud going forward. Both Superstars were slow and lethargic, and there was absolutely no storyline for fans to sink their teeth into. It was an awful outing from both Superstars.

The Usos and Sheamus vs. Goldust, Stardust and Cesaro

WWE Tag Team champions The Usos and United States champion Sheamus squared off with their respective Night of Champions opponents, Goldust and Stardust and Cesaro, in a huge Six-Man Tag Team match Monday night.

Both Jimmy and Jey Uso found themselves isolated from their partners and at the mercy, or lack thereof, of their opponents. Luckily, a hot tag to Sheamus proved the difference in winning and losing, as the Irishman exploded into the ring and pummeled Stardust. Eventually, he ended up outside the squared circle and watched as Jey Uso dove off the top rope with a huge splash to Cesaro for the win.

Result

The Usos and Sheamus win, via pinfall, when Jey Uso pinned Cesaro.

Highlights and Quotes

"What in the world happened in Dusty's hose?"—JBL.

"As a person with cats, I can tell you, yes, he meowed."—JBL on Stardust.

Grade

B

Analysis

There was nothing inherently wrong with the in-ring action itself, but there are definite questions surrounding the finish.

Why, just days before he is slated to challenge Sheamus for a U.S. title that no one expects him to win as it is, would WWE management sacrifice Cesaro via pinfall when it could have easily booked a disqualification, at worst, or a win for the challengers at this Sunday's event?

It was most certainly a moment that had fans (and this writer) shaking their heads.

Cena Calls Out Brock Lesnar

After threatening Heyman with physical violence in order to coax Lesnar into confronting him, Cena dragged the portly manager to the ring for his reckoning.

Heyman spent the majority of the segment trying to convince Cena to embrace the hate, to let his inner evil out and ditch the goody-two-shoes rhetoric that he has been spouting for over a decade. It was an insulting comment about Cena's mother that caused him to show aggression which, in turn, finally resulted in the appearance of WWE World Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar.

Cena and Lesnar pounded away at one another with the former breaking the champion's nose in the process.

Security pulled the competitors apart before too much damage could be done to either man, leaving fans wanting more and eagerly anticipating Sunday's major championship clash.

Highlights and Quotes

"I can be the trigger. To beat The Beast, you have to become a beast."—Heyman.

"Your mother and father raised you to live by a code. That code is hustle, loyalty and respect, and that code will stop you dead in your tracks every time!"—Heyman.

"Become my vision of you as a Paul Heyman Guy!"—Heyman.

"This is Lesnar's world. We all just live in it."—JBL.

Grade

B

Analysis

The segment was incredibly effective when Lesnar hit the ring, and the brawl unfolded. Prior to that, however, it was as segment that ultimately reaffirmed that Cena is the happy-go-lucky babyface who is unwilling to change for anyone, even a manipulative and otherwise convincing Paul Heyman.

While it was not the "money" segment the feud could use to really convince fans that the SummerSlam rematch is must-see TV come Sunday night, it did serve its purpose.

Naomi vs. Cameron

Cameron and Naomi rekindled their rivalry Monday night following drama on Sunday's episode of Total Divas, but fans inside the Cajundome could not have cared less.

The villainous, yapping Cameron wore her opponent down, focusing on Naomi's back in an attempt to score another fairly high-profile victory over her former opponent. Unfortunately, that was not the case as Naomi fought back, trapped Cameron in a submission hold and forced a tapout from her once close friend.

Result

Naomi defeated Cameron via submission.

Highlights and Quotes

"That's always been my problem."—JBL on being too nice.

"I don't know why everyone takes me so sarcastically."—JBL.

Grade

D

Analysis

NEVER let reality TV book a professional wrestling show.

This match had no reason to be on this show other than to serve as hype for the company's reality show. When that is the case, no one wins. Fans are bored by the irrelevant women inside the ring, the Divas are exposed as being irrelevant and the company looks ridiculous for putting so much meaningless action on its shows.

Dolph Ziggler and R-Truth vs. The Miz and Damien Sandow

With an Intercontinental Championship match between Dolph Ziggler and The Miz booked for Sunday's Night of Champions, the two Superstars clashed in a big tag team main event from SmackDown.

The Miz teamed with stunt double Damien Sandow to take on Ziggler and his partner, stunt double R-Truth, who was dressed impeccably in Ziggler gear and referred to as "R Ziggler."

The Miz and Sandow isolated Truth for the majority of the bout, but a hot tag to Ziggler spelled the end of the night for the heels, who fell in defeat at the hands of a Zig Zag to Sandow.

Result

Dolph Ziggler and R-Truth win, via pinfall, when Ziggler pinned Sandow following ther Zig Zag.

Highlights and Quotes

"These are two stunt doubles who look alike."—Michael Cole on Ziggler and Truth.

Grade

B-

Analysis

As a match, it was a tag team TV match—nothing more and nothing less.

Ziggler pinned Sandow to mount more momentum for his Intercontinental Championship defense against The Miz at Night of Champions.

The involvement of Truth was fun Friday night, but it felt very much like a lazy rehash Monday night. Here's hoping WWE does not overexpose that one-trick pony of a joke to the point that it becomes more nauseating than entertaining.

Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins

Unwilling to wait until Sunday's Night of Champions pay-per-view, Roman Reigns squared off with Mr. Money in the Bank, Seth Rollins, in the main event of this week's Raw.

Rollins upstaged Reigns early with his speed and smarts before hanging Reigns up on the top rope. Reigns responded with pure strength and fury, pounding away at his former friend and catching him with a big clothesline.

Rollins slithered out of a Samoan Drop attempt, but it was to no great advantage to him as Reigns continued to unleash his aggression on Rollins.

Reigns sent Rollins over the commentary table as we headed to the last break of the night.

The powerhouse fought out of a headlock, the move of choice Monday night, and flattened Rollins with a suplex. He took off around ringside for the big boot to the face, but Rollins, who knew his former partner well, ducked out of the way and left Reigns trying desperately to recover.

Reigns mounted a comeback and planted Rollins with a Superman Punch. He tried for the Spear, but Rollins dodged it and caught his opponent with a big kick to the face.

Rollins ran across the ring with Rollins on his shoulders and delivered the corner powerbomb. He talked some trash, but Reigns fired back with a headbutt. Seconds later, he blasted Reigns with a Spear for the pinfall victory.

Result

Roman Reigns wins, via pinfall, with the Spear.

Highlights and Quotes

"I don't think I'd want to be Rollins right now."—Jerry Lawler.

"It's looking like brawn is excelling over brains at the moment."—Lawler with a great line.

"Rumor has it that Roman dedicated this match tonight to his friend Dean Ambrose."—Michael Cole.

Grade

A

Analysis

This was a very entertaining match that should serve as groundwork for their much more hyped and anticipated pay-per-view bout this Sunday night at Night of Champions.

Rollins was spectacular here, busting his butt to deliver the best match on the show. Reigns held his own, delivering in the closing moments of the match and absolutely tearing Rollins in half with an impressive Spear.

Why WWE opted to give the match away for free just days before expecting fans to subscribe to the WWE Network to see it again is a question that the rocket scientists in WWE Creative probably could not even explain.

Mark Henry Rallies America

Just days before Mark Henry squares off with Rusev, he held a public pep rally of sorts in support of the United States in the show-closing slot of this week's Raw.

Michael Cole introduced Mark Henry, who made his way to the ring to a decent pop. Chants of "USA" rose throughout the Cajundome as Henry handed mini American flags out to the fans.

Henry vowed that, come Sunday night, he is going to shut Rusev and Lana up.

Rusev's music interrupted, and the Bulgarian Brute, along with the Ravishing Russian Lana, made his way to the ring. Lana discussed American's declining education system and then revealed that Henry failed in the 1992 Olympics, the year that Russia won the gold medal in powerlifting.

Lana continued to run down the United States and President Barack Obama before Henry retorted. He recited the Pledge of Allegiance but was cut off by Rusev. The behemoths exchanged hard rights before Rusev delivered several shoulder blocks in the corner.

A superkick to Henry by Rusev looked to end The World's Strongest Man's night on a sour note, but he powered out of an attempt at the Accolade and flattened the undefeated competitor with a Baldo Bomb. He waved the United States flag high in the air as the night's program left the USA Network airwaves.

Highlights and Quotes

"We've all agreed that, until now, Rusev has appeared unstoppable."—Jerry Lawler.

"Come Night of Champions, I'm gonna shut Lana and Rusev up."—Henry.

"I promise I won't...no, I can't...let you down."—Henry.

"It is ironic that you speak of education when all you speak about is propaganda."—Lana.

Grade

C+

Analysis

There was absolutely no reason for this segment to headline Raw—none whatsoever.

Henry's work on the microphone was awful and exposed the entire segment as a midcard affair at best.

The crowd in Lafayette came alive when Lana entered the Cajundome and began running down the country. Without her shtick, the segment would have been dead on arrival, proving just how important she is not only to the Rusev character but also to the overall acceptance and effectiveness of any segment he is involved in.

It was a poor way to cap off this week's show and an even worse followup to the entertaining arm-wrestling angle from last week's SmackDown.