WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from October 27, 2014

Just 24 hours after a Hell in a Cell pay-per-view that left fans with more questions than answers, World Wrestling Entertainment rolled into San Antonio for Monday Night Raw.

After Bray Wyatt shocked fans by appearing in the conclusion of the match between Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins that headlined Sunday's show, the Reaper of Souls addressed the WWE Universe. What did he have to say about his actions, and what would Ambrose do in response?

Rollins undoubtedly had bragging rights following yet another big victory over his former Shield teammate. With Randy Orton looking for revenge for last week's Curb Stomp, however, would the Architect be celebrating at the conclusion of Monday's broadcast, or would he fall prey to WWE's Apex Predator?

Rusev's win over the Big Show came following interference from Mark Henry, whom the World's Largest Athlete specifically asked not to get involved. What will Big Show's response to his good friend, and fellow former World Heavyweight champion, be?

Fans would get the answers to their questions as Raw exploded onto the USA Network airwaves, just a few weeks from the traditional November spectacular Survivor Series.

The Authority Promo

Credit: WWE.com

The Authority kicked off the evening's broadcast, and all eyes were on Seth Rollins. Much was made of the golden boy's victory over Ambrose at Hell in a Cell. The faction celebrated what was not only a big win for the Architect but also for The Authority, which shut Ambrose up and eliminated him from the picture, at least momentarily.

Orton, sick and tired of sitting back and watching Triple H and Stephanie groom their pet project for future success, interrupted and dropped Rollins with the RKO, much top the delight of the fans in San Antonio.

The move prompted commentator Michael Cole to proclaim that Orton had just bit the hand that feeds him, though not in as many words. 

Highlights and Quotes

"I'll calm down when he's dead."—Orton on Rollins.

"Orton just spat in the face of The Authority."—Cole.

Grade

A

Analysis

What a great segment that highlighted the schism that exists within The Authority. The issues between Orton and Rollins had been boiling for weeks, and last week's Curb Stomp to Orton was the start of something with the potential to be truly special between The Viper and Mr. Money in the Bank.

At the very least, it should inject life back into Orton, who deserves so much more than what he's gotten thus far in 2014.

Where this leaves Orton in relation to The Authority remains to be seen.

Big Show and Mark Henry vs. Gold and Stardust

For Goldust and Stardust to emerge victoriously over their much larger opponents, they would need something major to happen between Big Show and Mark Henry, and that is exactly what happened.

After Hell in a Cell, when Henry inadvertently cost his friend a match against Rusev, he initiated a heel turn that saw him deliver the World's Strongest Slam to Big Show and allow Stardust to score the pinfall victory.

Following the decision, Henry further assaulted the World's Largest Athlete, planting him with another slam and a big splash to close out the segment. 

Result

Gold and Stardust defeated Mark Henry and Big Show.

Highlights and Quotes

"I blame Big Show. Mark Henry didn't need help!"—JBL. 

Grade

B-

Analysis

The turn that everyone knew was coming but no one really wanted to see came Monday night as Big Show was left beaten, broken and lying at the hands of Henry. The World's Strongest Man functions much better as a heel, which will help his act, but no one really wants to see the two super-heavyweights feud in the year 2014.

Worse yet was that the heel turn came at the expense of Goldust and Stardust, who were coming off their first convincing title defense against The Usos at Hell in a Cell.

AJ Lee vs. Alicia Fox

Credit: WWE.com

At Hell in a Cell, AJ Lee capitalized on some unfortunate miscommunication from heels Alicia Fox and Paige to successfully retain her title against the latter Diva. Monday night, she met Fox in singles competition and knocked off the former Divas champion, courtesy of a rollup.

After the match, a frustrated Paige attacked Fox, repeatedly slamming her into the barricade to the point that Jerry Lawler intervened, bringing the beating to an end. 

Result

AJ Lee pinned Alicia Fox.

Highlights and Quotes

"I didn't beat her up. I had a rough day."—Paige.

"All your friends leave you. Do you ever think it's you?"—JBL.

Grade

C

Analysis

Does anyone else notice that AJ suddenly is being booked as if she were the female John Cena of WWE? She overcomes the odds every week and manages to leave victoriously. No? Just watch the show going forward. You'll see what I mean.

Paige's post-match assault on Fox is interesting in that it seemingly sets Fox up to be a babyface, but how she gets there after months of both instability and a pairing with Paige is a mystery. Perhaps it leads to a push; perhaps it existed only to further put over Paige. Whatever the case, the relationship between the heels has come to an end in vicious and violent fashion.

John Cena Promo

After beating Orton at Hell in a Cell to earn a future WWE World Heavyweight Championship match against Brock Lesnar, Cena hit the ring for a promo. He discussed his victory from a night earlier and began to threaten Rollins, the future of the industry, when Stephanie McMahon's music played and the Billionaire Baroness made her way to the ring.

She and Cena exchanged barbs before Triple H arrived. He warned Cena that he cannot stop the future and then announced a traditional Survivor Series elimination tag bout between The Authority and Team Cena for the annual November pay-per-view. 

Highlights and Quotes

"Now, as Brock Lesnar sits at home thinking he is a champion, I'm here every night fighting like a champion."—Cena.

"You cannot stop the future."—Triple H. 

Grade

B-

Analysis

The announcement of the traditional Survivor Series match was outstanding. The Authority makes for such a perfect heel team, while a ragtag bunch of babyfaces to oppose them could make for some great television leading into the big November pay-per-view.

With that said, the promo ran too long and featured the same honorable babyface routine from Cena. Triple H actually looks like the babyface for hyping the future of the industry, while Cena looks like the old guy still clinging to his spot. It's backward booking that will only fuel the Cena hatred from the smart-mark portion of the audience.

The Usos vs. The Miz and Damien Mizdow

Credit: WWE.com

The Miz and Damien Mizdow continued to be spotlighted as they squared off with Jimmy and Jey Uso, just 24 hours after the twins lost a competitive bout for the WWE Tag Team Championships to Goldust and Stardust.

Unfortunately for The Miz and Mizdow, they endured a second straight night of defeats themselves, falling for so-called "twin magic" by the former tag team champions and finding themselves on the losing end of what was an otherwise competitive tag team contest. 

Result

The Usos defeated The Miz and Damien Mizdow.

Highlights and Quotes

"How can you tell anyone apart?"—JBL.

"He'll steal the spotlight like Brady did to Bledsoe. They can't be trusted."—JBL perhaps setting the stage for a potential Miz-Mizdow split.

Grade

C

Analysis

It was a competitive enough match, but the focus was squarely on The Miz and his stunt double. Mizdow has eclipsed his charge and is easily one of the most entertaining stars on the roster. At this point, however, WWE Creative must be careful not to overexpose the character.

He got over with audiences because of the organic nature of the connection he made with them. Trying to manufacture it or turn it into some sort of angle will not work and could actually cause backlash that would only harm the development of the character.

The Usos, on the other hand, deserve better than having to resort to twin magic to beat two guys like The Miz and Mizdow, who were treated like jokes a night earlier at Hell in a Cell.

Ryback vs. Bo Dallas

Credit: WWE.com

Ryback made his return to WWE programming Monday night and immediately established himself as someone most definitely not a Bo-Liever. He ran over the third-generation star, finishing him off with the Meat Hook clothesline and the Shell Shocked for a pinfall win. 

Result

Ryback pinned Bo Dallas.

Highlights and Quotes

"Bo, this would be the perfect time to become a missing person."—Jerry Lawler.

Grade

A

Analysis

Welcome back, Ryback. More importantly, welcome back the dominant Ryback, the guy who tears through opposition. Bo Dallas was merely the first in a series of guys poised to fall at the feet of the Big Guy.

During the entire time that Ryback was saddled with Curtis Axel in RybAxel, he never lost the aura of superstardom that followed him around. He never let his place on the card determine how he carried himself, and that has a lot to do with the huge pop he was greeted with Monday night and the second chance he now has to ascend up the ranks.

Dean Ambrose vs. Cesaro

Credit: WWE.com

Dean Ambrose vs. Cesaro never got started, as Ambrose instead focused his attention on Bray Wyatt. He beat Cesaro around ringside and up the ramp before cutting a scathing promo on the Reaper of Souls. He brought up Wyatt's parlor tricks from Hell in a Cell and said that's not his gig and then demanded that Wyatt come out and get what was coming to him.

Wyatt appeared on the video screen, claimed to see himself in Ambrose and then promised to dismantle the Lunatic Fringe. "Run, Dean, run," he finished. 

Highlights and Quotes

"Every time I look at you, I see myself looking back."—Wyatt.

"Remember the rules of the jungle. Never mess with an animal with claws bigger than yours."—Ambrose.

"Last night, I went straight to hell, and I love every minute of it."—Ambrose.

Grade

C-

Analysis

Really? That was it? After the huge show-closing angle at Hell in a Cell, "I see myself in you" was the big explanation?

While the mic work was solid, especially from Ambrose, the overall segment left fans underwhelmed. The storyline will likely unfold in the coming weeks, but the opportunity was there to really capture the attention of the audience with a strong segment, and WWE Creative failed.

Naomi vs. Nikki Bella

Credit: WWE.com

One night after defeating sister Brie at Hell in a Cell and earning herself a special personal assistant for the next 30 days, Nikki Bella continued her winning ways by defeating fellow Total Divas cast mate Naomi in singles competition.

Doing as she was instructed by Nikki, Brie grabbed Naomi's foot, providing a momentary distraction that allowed Nikki to deliver the Rack Attack for the win.

After the match, Nikki ordered Brie to raise her arm in victory, which she reluctantly did. 

Result

Nikki Bella pinned Naomi.

Highlights and Quotes

"This would be embarrassing to Nikki if she lost this match tonight."—Michael Cole.

Grade

D

Analysis

This was a really poor follow-up to what was a strong effort by the twins last night at Hell in a Cell. The match was uninspired, and the angle was nonexistent, which is the complete opposite of what most expected. Thus far, the whole "Brie is Nikki's personal assistant" has been much more tame than originally thought.

Expect to see more out of the sisters come Friday night on SmackDown.

Dolph Ziggler vs. Kane

Credit: WWE.com

Born of a backstage meeting between Dolph Ziggler and Cena, which pertained to Ziggler potentially joining Team Cena at Survivor Series, the WWE Intercontinental champion squared off with The Authority's Corporate Demon, Kane.

The Big Red Monster worked over Ziggler, using his power advantage to wear the champion down. Ziggler, showing great resiliency, fought back and delivered a Fameasser that scored a near-fall. The Superstars traded big boots, including a super kick from the Showoff.

It was a rollup scored by Ziggler, off a chokeslam attempt by Kane, that scored the win for the IC champion.

After the match, Rollins attacked Ziggler from behind, rolling him back into the ring to endure a beatdown at the hands of both him and Kane.  

Result

Dolph Ziggler pinned Kane.

Highlights and Quotes

"We know Dolph isn't bright, but he isn't stupid enough to team up with Cena."—JBL.

"John Cena, four Rosebuds and the Bunny. That'll be Team Cena."—JBL.

Grade

C

Analysis

Trying to get anything remotely close to a good match out of Kane at this point is hard work, but Ziggler did his best, delivering an entertaining and dramatic closing portion. The counters were spectacular, and the Ziggler win was unexpected.

As a member of Team Cena leading into Survivor Series, Ziggler could complete his rebound from a terrible close to 2013 back to relevancy here in 2014. It would give him main-event exposure, something he absolutely deserves, even if it only lasts a short period of time.

John Cena vs. Seth Rollins

Just 24 hours after they scored two huge victories at Hell in a Cell, Cena and Rollins squared off in this week's main event.

Cena dominated the early portion of the match, but a cheap shot from Rollins, coupled with one from Joey Mercury at ringside, turned the tide in Rollins' favor. Mercury and Jamie Noble repeatedly got involved, giving a Rollins still suffering the effects of Hell in a Cell a numbers advantage.

Back from break, Cena was in the middle of mounting a comeback when Rollins sent him into the steel steps. 

A high cross body block by Cena nearly scored him a pinfall, but Rollins followed up with a DDT to halt his momentum.

A frustrated Rollins pounded the mat in frustration, realizing that it would not be as easy to put Cena away as easy as he had thought. He tried to win the match via countout, but Cena hit his signature comeback to a fairly mixed reaction.

Rollins climbed the ropes, but Cena cut him off. Rollins fought off a superplex attempt and caught Cena with a big running powerbomb into the corner for two. Cena recovered, locking in the STF, but Kane broke up the submission.

Ziggler hit the ring but was caught by Noble and Mercury. Suddenly, the entire Raw locker room filled the ring, while The Authority appeared at the top of the ramp. They watched as Cena cleared the ring to close out the show.

Result

John Cena defeated Seth Rollins by disqualification.

Highlights and Quotes

"Watch the hat!"—JBL showing true compassion to Seth Rollins as he is thrown face-first into the announce table.

"Seth is such a golden boy and such a chosen one of the Authority."—Jerry Lawler.

"He's not just the future; he's the current standard-bearer in WWE."—JBL on Rollins.

"I can't talk because I'm watching greatness."—JBL on Rollins.

Grade

A

Analysis

Michael Cole had it absolutely right when he uttered that Kane ruined a great match between Cena and Rollins. A pay-per-view quality bout between the leader of the Cenatio and Mr. Money in the Bank, the main event of this week's show was as good as anything on the Hell in a Cell card, and a lot of that has to do with the quality of work put in by both competitors.

Kudos to Rollins, in particular, who appeared to be fighting through tremendous pain. He proved himself a guy capable of hanging with the top star in the industry in a singles setting and suddenly has this writer wondering what he would be capable of in a higher-profile PPV setting, with more time for him and Cena to put together a match.

A better finish would be nice, but the one we got allows for both Superstars to maintain their heat, and the brawl to end the show was certainly interesting, if nothing else. It was a great show-closing ordeal.