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

On the heels of Extreme Rules, WWE rolled into Green Bay, Wisconsin, for Monday Night Raw.

The issues between Seth Rollins and Kane continued to threaten the dominance of The Authority, while both Roman Reigns and Randy Orton made it abundantly clear that they are coming for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

The King of the Ring tournament's reintroduction dominated the in-ring portion of Monday's broadcast as Dolph Ziggler, Bad News Barrett, R-Truth, Stardust, Dean Ambrose, Sheamus, Luke Harper and Neville all vied for the right to advance to Tuesday night's semifinal round, airing exclusively on the WWE Network.

The feud between John Cena and Rusev continued, Naomi further established herself as the biggest threat to Nikki Bella and Damien Sandow made a heartfelt address to the WWE Universe.

What else went down as Raw hit the USA Network airwaves Monday night?

Find out now with this week's grade, highlights and analysis.

Opening Promo

Seth Rollins kicked off the show with an in-ring promo, discussing his victory over Randy Orton at Extreme Rules.

As has been the case over the last few weeks, he insulted Director of Operations Kane, leading to a verbal confrontation between the two that saw Rollins refer to his peer as the Cryptkeeper, while Kane shot back, comparing Rollins to Justin Bieber.

Roman Reigns interrupted the squabble and made his case for a WWE World Heavyweight Championship match, to which Rollins naturally balked.

Kane ended the segment by vowing to put his differences with Rollins aside in the tag team main event pitting the two of them against Reigns and Orton.

Grade

B

Analysis

This was a solid opener to kick off the night's broadcast. There was sure to be interest in the outcome of Extreme Rules and the endless tension between The Authority, so spotlighting that story at the top of the show was smart.

Reigns reentering the title picture is absolutely the right decision and instantly creates an interesting dynamic between him, Orton and Rollins.

As has been the case for weeks now, Kane remains the wild card as it appears as though his time with The Authority is nearing its end.

The announcement of a tag team main event is one that would make Teddy Long proud.

King of the Ring Quarterfinal: Dolph Ziggler vs. Bad News Barrett

Fresh off the most humiliating moment of his career at Extreme Rules, Dolph Ziggler battled Bad News Barrett.

Ziggler fought his way out of Wasteland and landed a DDT and then followed it up shortly thereafter with the superkick.

As The Showoff appeared to have the match in hand, Sheamus appeared, causing a distraction that led to Barrett delivering the Bull Hammer for the pinfall victory.

Result

Bad News Barrett defeated Dolph Ziggler.

Grade

B-

Analysis

We have seen much better from Ziggler and Barrett, but the meat of the segment was actually in the appearance of Sheamus and his continued torment of the man who beat him at Extreme Rules.

With the Payback pay-per-view rapidly approaching, it appears as though The Celtic Warrior and The Showoff will carry their rivalry over into that show.

With that said, this was a fine way to further that story and give Ziggler more motivation for revenge.

Tyson Kidd vs. Big E

Just 24 hours after losing the WWE Tag Team Championships at Extreme Rules, Tyson Kidd attempted to get back to his winning ways as he battled Big E of The New Day.

Unfortunately, Xavier Woods' presence at ringside proved his downfall as Big E scored the pinfall win over Kidd while Woods held onto his foot.

Result

Big E defeated Tyson Kidd.

Grade

F

Analysis

What was the point of this?

Sure, it added further heat to The New Day and put the spotlight on the rivalry but at just over one minute of ring time, there was nothing to the match.

Worse yet, it made Cesaro and Natalya look like fools for not keeping Woods in check.

Ryback vs. Bo Dallas

After being demolished at Extreme Rules, Bo Dallas attempted to get a measure of revenge against Ryback Monday night.

For a brief moment, it looked like he may fare better than anyone could have expected. Then Ryback hit a spinebuster that ended his momentum and finished the motivational speaker off with Shell Shocked.

After the match, Bray Wyatt appeared, delivering Sister Abigail to Ryback, revealing to the world that The Big Guy was the target of his latest series of promos.

Result

Ryback defeated Bo Dallas.

Grade

C

Analysis

The impending Bray Wyatt-Ryback rivalry is interesting in that both guys could use a big win at this point. Who WWE sees as more valuable in the long term will decide who emerges better off than when they entered the program.

Wyatt's motivations for the feud seem forced, but that has been the case with most of the feuds he has participated in over the course of his main roster career. He has always managed to overcome that with the conviction with which he conducts his promos.

The in-ring quality will ultimately determine the effectiveness and success of the feud.

United States Championship Open

Cena hit the ring and discussed his feud with Rusev. From there, he issued the challenge for the United States Championship Open, which appeared to be answered by Heath Slater.

Instead, Rusev attacked Slater and addressed Cena. He first sent Lana to the locker room as the crowd chanted for her and then criticized the fans for being quitters.

He yelled furiously at Cena as the Russian flag fell from the ceiling.

Highlight

Heath Slater vowing to become the "United States Champion of the World" was comic genius.

Grade

C

Analysis

Slater was brilliant in his brief chance to shine, but the verbal confrontation between Cena and Rusev was rather generic in its attempt to build interest in the impending "I Quit" match.

The contest will probably be great. Most of the Cena-Rusev series has been. At this point, though, it appears as though the fans' interest is in Lana, who has the chance to become a breakout star not unlike Sable, who overshadowed her male counterpart and eventually became as popular as the top stars in the company.

The announcement of the pay-per-view match between Cena and Rusev essentially negates any chance anyone has of winning the United States Championship Open, though, making that series irrelevant.

King of the Ring Quarterfinal: R-Truth vs. Stardust

Two of the seven men who fought in WrestleMania's Ladder match battled for the right to advance into the semifinals of the King of the Ring tournament.

Time was not on their side, however, as Truth finished Stardust off in just two minutes to earn the right to face Bad News Barrett Tuesday night.

Result

R-Truth defeated Stardust.

Grade

D

Analysis

Neither of these two Superstars have been relevant in the wake of WrestleMania, leaving this writer to wonder exactly what they have done to earn the right to compete in the supposedly prestigious tournament remains a mystery.

The crowd was dead for the match, and that is a reflection of the fans' interest in the characters performing inside the ring. Not necessarily the reaction the company was looking for when putting the match together.

Fandango vs. Adam Rose

The continuation of the Fandango vs. Adam Rose feud rolled into Green Bay Mondy night as the eccentric Superstars did battle in singles competition.

Two weeks after dumping Rosa Mendes to embrace the fans, Fandango suffered the backlash, becoming distracted by his former dance partner as she shook her hips at ringside, allowing Rose to deliver the Party Foul and pick up his first win in what feels like months.

Mendes and Rose kissed to end the segment.

Result

Adam Rose defeated Fandango.

Grade

C-

Analysis

Both Adam Rose and Fandango were treated so poorly to close out 2014 and early in 2015 that it is incredibly difficult for fans to buy into any feud involving them. The Superstars are seen as third-tier competitors, midcard fodder even, and that will not change with a love triangle involving Rosa Mendes.

Still, it is nice to see the characters at the bottom of the card having something to do rather than floating aimlessly.

Brie Bella vs. Naomi

After costing Naomi the Divas Championship in a match against sister Nikki at Extreme Rules, Brie Bella looked to make Naomi 0-2 to start this week as they met one-on-one Monday night.

Naomi controlled the early portion of the match but Brie mounted her comeback, delivering a missile dropkick. Unfortunately for her, Naomi caught her with an inside cradle to earn the victory.

Result

Naomi defeated Brie Bella.

Grade

C-

Analysis

The development of the heel Naomi character continued nicely Monday night, with the Diva showing no sympathy for Brie Bella or the ongoing health issues plaguing her husband, Daniel Bryan. Her win keeps her in the thick of things as far as the Divas title picture goes. 

With that said, when did the Bella Twins suddenly become babyfaces again? They went from overbearing heels to beloved babyfaces in the span of a week. Will they revert back to their heelish ways when Paige returns, or will the Brit undergo a nonsensical heel turn?

King of the Ring Quarterfinal: Dean Ambrose vs. Sheamus

Dean Ambrose looked to continue his winning ways Monday night as he met Sheamus in yet another King of the Ring quarterfinal-round match.

The Celtic Warrior pummeled Ambrose, cutting off a number of comeback attempts and locking him in the cloverleaf. The Lunatic Fringe responded later with the top rope elbow drop for two.

From there, the action spilled to the ringside area, with Sheamus planting Ambrose with the Brogue Kick. Before he could follow up, Ziggler attacked, sending Sheamus scurrying through the audience and to the locker-room area.

Ambrose was anything but happy about the outcome as Sheamus was announced the winner via disqualification.

Result

Sheamus defeated Dean Ambrose by disqualification.

Grade

B+

Analysis

Ambrose and Sheamus brought the work rate, wrestling the longest match of the night to that point. In fact, with a few more minutes and a decisive finish, the match could have been pay-per-view-worthy.

Instead, Ziggler's interference continued his crusade to avenge his humiliation from the night before.

This was very much the type of match the entire tournament should have been built around. 

Damien Sandow In-Ring Promo

Eden Stiles introduced Damien Sandow to the WWE Universe, and the man formerly known as the Stunt Double discussed his entire main roster career, beginning with the Intellectual Savior of the Unwashed Masses gimmick and ending with his role as Mizdow.

He admitted that he did not know what the future held for him but was cut off by Curtis Axel.

The originator of AxelMania found himself frustrated as he was mocked by Sandow, who ended the segment by dispatching of the second-generation star.

Highlight

"That connection we have, that is most rewarding on a personal level. You're welcome!"—Sandow

Grade

B+

Analysis

This was a great way to reintroduce Damien Sandow to the WWE Universe.

The performer came off as honest and humble as he relived the last three years of his career and thanked the fans for their support. He was not over the top with his address. Instead, he was truthful and came across better than he ever has before.

Sandow's interaction with Axel was fun and could lead to a nice little midcard program as WWE Creative figures out what it wants to do with the character now that The Miz feud has wrapped up.

King of the Ring Quarterfinal Match: Neville vs. Luke Harper

Neville has been on a roll unlike no other since his main roster debut just over a month ago, and Monday night, he continued to build momentum for himself as he battled Luke Harper in a King of the Ring quarterfinal bout.

Harper's power-based offense proved effective at points, but Neville's acrobatic and unorthodox offense kept the former Wyatt Family member off guard.

The Man That Gravity Forgot withstood a big boot and a spine-crushing powerbomb to deliver the Red Arrow and cash his ticket for a semifinal showdown with Sheamus.

Result

Neville defeated Luke Harper.

Grade

B

Analysis

Neville's victory over Harper cements his status as the favorite to win the King of the Ring tournament, regardless of how much Michael Cole and company attempt to sell him as an underdog.

That he continues to build momentum by defeating guys perceived by fans to be just a step below main event level only helps lend credibility to the former NXT champion. To this point, Neville has enjoyed the easiest transition to the main roster and appears well on his way to achieving greatness.

Roman Reigns and Randy Orton vs. Seth Rollins and Kane

The dissension within The Authority reared its ugly head in the main event of this week's show as Kane snapped, attacking J&J Security, as well as Rollins, late in Monday's tag team main event. 

Heels Rollins and Kane controlled the majority of the match, but their inability to stay on the same page led to Kane losing his cool, watching from ringside as Reigns delivered the Superman Punch and Orton followed up with an RKO, scoring the pinfall victory.

After the match, an irate Rollins watched as it was revealed that his WWE World Heavyweight Championship defense at Payback would be a Triple Threat match against the two men responsible for his defeat Monday night.

Kane looked satisfied at ringside as Reigns put an exclamation point on things with a spear.

Result

Roman Reigns and Randy Orton defeated Seth Rollins and Kane.

Grade

B+

Analysis

A strong main event capped off this week's show, with the babyfaces going over and setting the stage for the Triple Threat main event at Payback. With two strong challengers to Rollins' championship, though, one must wonder why WWE Creative is so intent on making Kane the centerpiece of the rivalry.

Reigns should be the man the entire main event scene is built around. If not him, then Rollins. Instead, the company has chosen to focus on Kane and his dilemma as the Director of Operations and thorn in the side of the WWE World Heavyweight champion.

Reigns received mostly cheers, proving that his booking in matches against Brock Lesnar and Big Show is working.

On a night where the rest of the show was so-so at best, the main event more than delivered, even if the creative aspect was questionable.