WWE Raw Results: Biggest Winners, Losers and Moments from September 22

On the heels of a Night of Champions pay-per-view that never really got out of first gear but was always entertaining from an in-ring perspective, WWE had the opportunity to deliver an episode of Monday Night Raw that was fresh and exciting, and that convinced fans to tune in rather than check out the Monday Night Football game or the fall premieres on network television, such as Gotham, The Blacklist and The Big Bang Theory. Instead, WWE produced a mostly tedious show that did little to advance any storyline.

With that said, there were still definitive winners and losers, stars who came out of Monday's broadcast far better (or worse) off than they were going in. A championship changed hands, a Lunatic Fringe returned to Monday nights, The Usos scored a measure of revenge and The Viper showed hints of dissatisfaction with Mr. Money in the Bank.

Who left Raw riding a wave of momentum? Who left in desperate need of redemption?

Take a look.

Winner: Dean Ambrose

Not only did Dean Ambrose make his return to Monday nights, he shared the ring with John Cena and brawled with The Authority throughout the evening. With Roman Reigns injured, the company was in desperate need of a babyface to rise to the occasion, and Ambrose was that guy.

That he is incredibly over without receiving anywhere near the push that Reigns or Cena had as babyfaces is a testament to the level of performance and connection with fans that he has.

In the months to come, it should be interesting to see just how hard WWE Creative pushes Ambrose. Will it push him to the point that he gets even more over than he already is, thus rivaling the popularity of WWE's biggest star (Cena) and the man expected to carry the mantle for WWE for the next decade (Reigns)?

Loser: Mark Henry

The World's Strongest Man lost to Rusev at Night of Champions, tapping out and ending any chance of a triumphant American victory. Monday night, Henry had the opportunity to make up for the loss by beating Rusev and standing tall, the first man to pin the Bulgarian Brute's shoulders to the mat. It would be the happy ending so many fans wished for Sunday night.

Unfortunately, Henry again fell victim to the Accolade, letting the United States down for the second consecutive night.

Having been exposed as past his prime, no longer a competitor capable of carrying his end of the bargain between the ropes, it remains to be seen where Henry goes from here. Hopefully back to teaming with Big Show, as that is the best option for both super heavyweights at this advanced point in their careers.

Winner: Dolph Ziggler

WWE's resident Showoff never should have lost the Intercontinental Championship back to The Miz at Night of Champions. He was clearly the better option as champion than Miz, who has an entertaining character but is not connected to the audience in the same way that Ziggler is.

Which is why Monday's match between the two Superstars was the perfect opportunity for WWE Creative to make up for its booking misfire from the night before. And it did, in spectacular fashion.

The Intercontinental Championship bout on Raw was much better than the travesty fans were exposed to Sunday night and had a much more satisfying ending, with Ziggler using Miz's tricks against him and holding the tights for the pinfall victory.

Ziggler is the epitome of what the secondary champion in WWE used to be. He is a workhorse, someone the company can rely on to make all the shows and, more importantly, deliver consistently from bell to bell. Miz was not that guy, especially with his budding WWE Studios career and his uneven ring work.

Loser: Kane

The Devil's Favorite Corporate Demon Red Machine, or whatever he is being called this week, continues to regress in the ring, and his match with Dean Ambrose on Raw was further evidence. The future Hall of Famer has been awful in 2014, looking every bit his age every time he steps between the ropes. It is a disappointing downfall to witness, made even worse by the fact that WWE Creative continues to expose him on a weekly basis, thanks to lack of star power on the roster.

It will only get worse as he continues to play a key role in The Authority's war on Ambrose, John Cena and Roman Reigns.

Winner: The Usos

Former WWE Tag Team champions Jimmy and Jey Uso made up for a disappointing Night of Champions, during which they lost the titles they had held for six months, by teaming with United States champion Sheamus Monday night and knocking off Cesaro and new tag champions Goldust and Stardust.

The win suggests that The Usos will remain in contention. Given the state of the division right now, it is most certainly a good thing.