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

On the heels of WrestleMania XXXI, World Wrestling Entertainment delivered an episode of Raw that continued to present Roman Reigns as the top challenger to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, while simultaneously spotlighting Brock Lesnar, selling him as the most dangerous and unpredictable force in the sport.

Monday night, they both made their presences felt, with new heavyweight champion Seth Rollins the object of their fury.

John Cena and Dean Ambrose tore the house down, former NXT stars Neville and Kalisto made their main-roster debuts and the Divas got more than 10 minutes to deliver a quality tag match.

While the tag team main event bored the crowd, leading to a wave by a very entertaining audience, the show was a success, continuing rivalries built at WrestleMania and setting the stage for Extreme Rules in a few weeks.

Now, relive the March 30 episode of Raw with grades, analysis and highlights of this week's action.

Brock Lesnar Promo

Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar kicked off the show, just 24 hours after a controversial finish to WrestleMania.

Heyman revealed that Lesnar almost respects Roman Reigns after their war, but Rollins is another story. Lesnar invoked his rematch clause, but Stephanie McMahon interrupted.

She tried to talk Rollins out of the match, but Heyman insisted the contest would happen and that there would be a beating awaiting Rollins.  

Grade

A 

Analysis

This was exactly the type of segment that needed to kick off the show.

"Brock Lesnar is here, he is angry, and someone is going to get hurt because of it," was the overview of Heyman's magnificent promo, which surely attracted viewers to the spectacle of watching The Beast Incarnate compete on Raw for the first time in over a decade.

By the way, can someone give Heyman an Emmy? The guy continues to be one of the best, most compelling performers on all of television, regardless of genre.

WWE Intercontinental Championship Match: Dolph Ziggler vs. Daniel Bryan

Dolph Ziggler and Daniel Bryan were the final two Superstars atop the ladder Sunday night, battling for the right to leave WrestleMania as the Intercontinental champion.

Monday night, they captivated the San Jose crowd with a singles bout that still did not reach the quality of performance that was expected.

The Superstars pulled out maneuvers that called back to previous bouts.

Bryan scored the win off the running knee, but he immediately fell prey to an attack by Bad News Barrett. Sheamus' music played, and the Celtic Warrior hit the ring, a new look complete with a Mohawk and braided beard.

Suddenly, he caught Bryan with a Brogue Kick and then brutalized Ziggler before announcing his return.

Result

Daniel Bryan pinned Dolph Ziggler.

Grade

A

Analysis

From the match itself to the return of Sheamus and the elevation of the IC title, thanks to the quality of the performers involved, this entire segment was exactly what the first night after WrestleMania should give fans.

Did Sheamus look stupid, as the fans' chants suggested? Of course. But his new attitude, coupled with the matches that will ensue and the benefits the title will reap as a result, will make for some quality television in the weeks that follow.

To top it all off, Barrett does not appear to be prepping for a descent down the card so that is even better.

Lucha Dragons and The New Day vs. The Ascension, Tyson Kidd and Cesaro

The NXT invasion began as the Lucha Dragons teamed with The New Day to battle WWE tag team champions Cesaro and Tyson Kidd and The Ascension in an 8-Man Tag Team Championship match.

Kalisto impressed fans with an energetic and fast-paced offense that helped keep the energy that the opening match and segment had built.

The luchador scored the pinfall victory for the babyfaces, pinning Viktor following the Salida del Sol finisher.

Result

Kalisto, Sin Cara, Kofi Kingston and Big E defeated Cesaro, Tyson Kidd, Viktor and Konnor.

Grade

B+

Analysis

This was a fun, fun tag team match that served as the perfect introduction to Kalisto.

The Mexican-born Superstar is a speedster who can be difficult to keep up with so having two world-class stars the likes of Cesaro and Kidd to compete against, as well as former NXT rivals The Ascension, to work with was ideal.

The New Day continues to rub audiences the wrong way, drawing negative reactions rather than exciting crowds. It is time to pull he plug on the gimmick before the three young stars involved are irreparably damaged.

WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match: Brock Lesnar vs. Seth Rollins

Lesnar hit the ring for his WWE World Heavyweight Championship match against Rollins Monday night, prepared to destroy the Architect and take back his gold.

Unfortunately, it was revealed that the match would not happen, leaving Lesnar to dismantle, destroy and maim commentators and cameramen, despite warnings by Stephanie McMahon about consequences should he continue his abhorrent actions.

He raised hell and paid for it, with Stephanie suspending him indefinitely, much to the dismay of the San Jose crowd.

Grade

A 

Analysis

The best thing on this show, at least from a storyline standpoint was Lesnar destroying crew members led to his suspension, which will explain his upcoming absence from television, all the while keeping him hot as a hell-raiser and ass-kicker, something fans have been begging for since the days of Steve Austin came to an end.

The attack on the commentary team may have been for the best as it spared fans the corporate shilling of Cole and the ridiculous arguing between JBL and Booker T.

Stephanie and Rollins goaded Lesnar into snapping and then had the justification needed to rid the company of the biggest threat to Rollins' rule over the roster as champion.

It was a bit of brilliant storytelling that also made for some spectacular television.

Damien Mizdow vs. Stardust

Damien Mizdow made is first appearance post-WrestleMania, battling Stardust in singles competition and receiving a huge ovation from the crowd.

After a few minutes of nondescript in-ring action, Mizdow scored the win off the Skull Crushing Finale.

Unable to celebrate his victory, Mizdow found himself on the receiving end of a beatdown at the hands of The Miz, who blamed him for ruining everything. 

Result

Damien Mizdow defeated Stardust.

Grade

B

Analysis

Mizdow is still incredibly over with the WWE Universe, and his win over Stardust was a solid way to start what should be an entertaining singles run as a babyface, a role he has never filled during his career on the main roster. 

The Miz attacking was the logical next step, even if it was somewhat predictable.

With Extreme Rules coming up on April 22, the former A-lister and stunt double/personal assistant should finally wrestle the match fans have anxiously anticipated from the moment it appeared as a thought that the dissension between the two would lead to a Mizdow babyface turn.

On an unrelated note, how far has Stardust fallen, competing in a glorified squash one night after competing for the Intercontinental Championship? 

Ouch!

Neville vs. Curtis Axel

Curtis Axel was furious over his elimination from the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal and voiced his frustrations, only to be interrupted by the debuting Neville, who apparently lost his first name during the trip from NXT to the main roster.

The former NXT champion made short work of Axel, much to the delight of the San Jose fans, finishing him off with the Red Arrow for his first Monday Night Raw singles win.

Result

Neville pinned Curtis Axel.

Grade

B+

Analysis

Former NXT champion Neville has been ready for the call-up to the main roster for months now and, after biding his time, putting over Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens and Finn Balor in Full Sail, he has finally made his in-ring debut as a main-roster attraction.

Neville dominated the contest, squashing Axel and pinning him after his jaw-dropping finisher.

The cape looked cartoonish at first, but Neville had the look of a star and was very much a favorite of the crowd.

A plethora of matches await Neville, especially with talented stars such as Daniel Bryan, Dolph Ziggler, Dean Ambrose, Luke Harper and Bad News Barrett battling over a title like the Intercontinental Championship, a title that would very much fit the Brit.

United States Championship Match: John Cena vs. Dean Ambrose

After entering the arena to a chorus of boos, John Cena issued an open challenge to anyone in the locker room. Most expected Rusev to accept, but it was the Lunatic Fringe, Dean Ambrose, who exploded through the curtain, ready to challenge the new champion for his title.

In the best match of the night, Ambrose proved a worthy opponent to Cena, surviving one Attitude Adjustment and even escaping the STF.

Ultimately, the champion was able to catch Ambrose with a second Attitude Adjustment, leading to a successful title defense.

Cena showed respect for Ambrose afterward, but the challenger appeared more than a little frustrated with himself. 

Result

John Cena pinned Dean Ambrose.

Grade

A

Analysis

Have all of the losses Dean Ambrose suffered finally gotten to the Lunatic Fringe? It sure seems that way, especially in the wake of Monday's show, where he appeared visibly shaken following his defeat at the hands of Cena.

Prior to that, Ambrose and Cena delivered a phenomenal match that would have fit right in with the action from the previous night's WrestleMania pay-per-view.

Whether or not the loss haunts Ambrose and causes him to crack, signaling a heel turn that could inject some much-needed momentum into the performer, who has been wasting away in the midcard in the wake of The Shield's split a year ago, they'll be two pay-per-view main events, not withstanding.

AJ Lee, Paige and Naomi vs. The Bella Twins and Natalya

After a somewhat disappointing showing at WrestleMania, the WWE Divas returned to the squared circle, with two rivalries coming together for a Six-Diva Tag Team match. Naomi, AJ Lee and Paige battled the Bella Twins and Natalya in a contest that ran some 13 minutes.

The heels worked over AJ until the New Jersey native made the hot tag to Naomi, who capitalized on a miscommunication spot between Nikki and Brie Bella to score the win off the Rear View finisher. 

Result

AJ Lee, Naomi and Paige defeated The Bella Twins and Natalya.

Grade

B

Analysis

For the second consecutive week, the Divas were awarded more than 10 minutes of ring time and, for the second week in a row, they delivered. 

AJ put in the most work for her team but, considering the fact that she spent the night on the arena floor at WrestleMania, she was likely fresh as a daisy.

The Divas Championship picture is interesting in that AJ scored the submission win at WrestleMania and now, Naomi has a pinfall victory under her belt. Add to that what could be the beginning of dissension between the sisters and you have a number of women gunning for Nikki Bella's title.

It is simplistic yet effective booking that makes sense. That is not always something WWE Creative has been credited with when crafting its female-based stories.

Goldust vs. Rusev

An angry, frustrated and vengeful Rusev made his way to the squared circle with one goal in mind: hurt someone. Unfortunately for Goldust, the most bizarre Superstar in WWE history was that someone.

Rusev ran over the future Hall of Famer, finishing him off via submission with The Accolade in short order.

Result

Rusev defeated Goldust by submission.

Grade

C

Analysis

After the way that he lost the WWE United States Championship at WrestleMania and then found himself on the outside looking in on Monday night's title bout, it made perfect sense that he would destroy whoever was unlucky enough to share the ring with him.

Having destroyed Goldust, Rusev figures to remain in the hunt for the title he once called his own, which Cena now holds.

Considering WWE's habit of booking Extreme Rules as if it were WrestleMania light, do not be surprised to see the Bulgarian Brute execute his rematch clause for one more shot at the leader of the Cenation.

Six-Man Tag Team Main Event

Reigns joined Randy Orton and Ryback in the night's main event against Rollins, Big Show and Kane and wasted no time clearing the ring and wowing the audience by flying over the top rope and forcing the heels to regroup early.

Orton found himself isolated from his tag team partner for the majority of the contest.

Reigns got the hot tag but was greeted by boos as he delivered the norm. After the trading of finishers between all involved, Reigns pinned Kane following the spear, much to the dismay of the WWE Universe.

The babyfaces celebrated to close out the show as Rollins watched atop the ramp.

Result

Randy Orton, Ryback and Roman Reigns defeated Seth Rollins, Big Show and Kane.

Grade

D

Analysis

After a phenomenal WrestleMania XXXI, it was disheartening to see WWE Creative go right back to the same tired, boring six-man tag booking formula it leaned on so heavily over the last year.

That it was as predictable as ever, with Reigns picking up the win for his team and Rollins watching on disapprovingly from the stage. Wash, rinse and repeat.

After what was a fairly good show leading into it, the main event could not have been any more lackluster than this.