WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from May 18

On Sunday, in Richmond, Virginia, WWE Raw crammed more buzz for Elimination Chamber into a single night than anyone could have expected.

WWE pressed down the gas pedal and zoomed toward the next pay-per-view. A trio of title matches, a guest from the NXT ranks and a lunatic being pushed into the spotlight made for a memorable show. 

Leaning on wrestling certainly helped. Ryback, Sheamus, Bray Wyatt and Dean Ambrose provided battles in the ring that grabbed hold of the audience.

Beyond that, fans saw Lana pick a new man, John Cena face off against an unforeseen foe and Paige storm back into action.

Breaking down a successful Monday night Raw, the following is a recap and report card for the post-Payback show.

The Authority Opens the Show

Triple H and Stephanie McMahon talked up Seth Rollins' victory at Payback and patted themselves on the back for choosing him as their champion.

They mocked Daniel Bryan for having to give up the Intercontinental Championship. In Triple H's eyes, the Elimination Chamber would crown a durable, strong titleholder.

Sheamus interrupted The Authority, looking to get the IC title without having to enter the Elimination Chamber. Ryback came out next to defend Bryan's name and to challenge The Celtic Warrior.

McMahon announced that both men would fight now, but also battle for the IC crown at Elimination Chamber.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"Life is so much better. And I know none of you can relate to that."—McMahon to the fans.

"You're either picking berries or chopping wood, whatever it is you do."—McMahon to Bryan.

"I was the one who finally ended Daniel Bryan's career."—Sheamus.

"Big Guy has the microphone; Big Guy's talking, Steph."—Ryback to McMahon.

Grade

B+

Analysis

It's great to see the IC title get some spotlight in the opening segment. This is a place where WWE has made a habit of putting in the same tired cast of characters in this spot.

This also benefited from not dragging as much as recent opening promos. Things got intense early. The story moved along.

The narrative that Sheamus put Bryan out of commission is far better than the one The Authority hinted at, that Bryan was just frail and injury-prone. The former elevates Sheamus; the latter just hurts Bryan.

Ryback vs. Sheamus

Still sporting bandages as a result of his bout with Bray Wyatt, Ryback took it to Sheamus early. He bashed the Irishman, but his injured ribs began to bother him.

The Celtic Warrior pounced. He controlled the slugfest at first, but Ryback administered as much brutality as he received.

Sheamus feigned an eye injury to gain an advantage. As the referee pulled The Big Guy out of the corner, Sheamus landed a Brogue Kick to end the contest.

Result

Sheamus wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

Sheamus blasts Ryback off the ring apron.

Ryback catches Sheamus in mid-run and delivers a powerbomb.

Ryback flings Sheamus into the announce table.

Grade

B+

Analysis

A fresh combo of foes made for a strong match. 

Sheamus used smart strategy in going after Ryback's ribs. That also plays up how physical the Ryback-Bray Wyatt bout was.

Intensity, good pacing and some eye-catching collisions led to a match that boosts both men. Both Ryback and Sheamus have been on a roll, delivering in less hyped contests. They will look to continue that momentum at Elimination Chamber inside a structure sure to aid them.

Neville vs. King Barrett

Before the bout, Neville talked to Renee Young about his transition from NXT to WWE. Bo Dallas cut the interview short, mocking Neville with a smile. The two brawled briefly before King Barrett arrived.

Barrett zeroed in on the knee Neville tweaked at Payback.

He throttled The Man That Gravity Forgot with knee strikes and stomps. Neville's injury halted his attempted comebacks.

The Bull Hammer soon ended Neville's night. Dallas extended the damage, whipping Neville's bad leg into the ring post.

Result

Barrett wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"When I am looking down at my opponent and flying through the air, I am 10 feet tall and invincible."—Neville.

Neville's knee buckles as he tries to hit a springboard move.

Grade

B-

Analysis

It's smart of WWE to use Neville and Dallas' NXT history, as the narrative already exists. The move gives Dallas a viable path going forward, as well as someone Neville can trounce after losing to Barrett so often.

Barrett working on the knee leaves him looking predatory and Neville looking gutsy. This is far from their best effort together, but it was meant to be more about story than in-ring action. It was meant to set up what's next for both foes.

Rusev Reacts to His Loss

An enraged Rusev shouted about Lana quitting for him at Payback. He demanded that the WWE restart his match with Cena. Lana came out, saying that she still believed in The Bulgarian Brute.

She explained that Rusev did say "I quit" in Bulgarian at Payback. Rusev exploded, demanding that she leave, barking and bellowing in the ring.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"There will be no Lana tonight. There is no Lana. Lana needs to know her place."—Rusev.

"You're weak, and you make me weak."—Rusev to Lana.

"An absolutely awful human being."—Michael Cole on Rusev.

Grade

A-

Analysis

Rusev and Lana created a good supply of emotion here. Not only did this segment help explain the Payback ending, it put major heat on Rusev. He came out of this looking heartless.

WWE made Lana's transition into fan-favorite status easy for her. She came off as plenty sympathetic here.

Now it's time to get Rusev some wins to go with this heel act.

Bray Wyatt vs. Dean Ambrose

An errant senton opened the door for Dean Ambrose to take control of Bray Wyatt. Ambrose wrenched his arm and grounded his foe, but not for long.

The Eater of Worlds had punishment of his own to dole out. Wyatt stunned Ambrose with his usual array of hard-hitting moves.

Each opponent delivered bursts of offense in an intense match. They each landed haymakers as the crowd grew with excitement. An assist from J&J Security helped decide things, allowing Wyatt to hit Sister Abigail.

Result

Wyatt wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

Wyatt stops a suicide-dive attempt with a stinging slap.

Wyatt suplexes Ambrose off the ring apron and onto the floor.

Both men knock each over with clotheslines outside the ring.

Ambrose goes for a rebound clothesline; Wyatt counters with a nasty clothesline.

Grade

A-

Analysis

The match of the night came courtesy of two men who collided plenty earlier in the year. Ambrose and Wyatt delivered an engrossing bout full of flesh-stinging strikes.  

Not having a more climactic ending prevented him from being even better, but the way things unfolded protected The Lunatic Fringe. The loss doesn't hurt him much.

He is still clearly in the world-title mix. Wyatt, on the other hand, has a less clear road ahead of him. The man he beat at Payback will be off hunting for the Intercontinental Championship at Elimination Chamber.

The New Day vs. Cesaro and Tyson Kidd

Xavier Woods was banned from ringside as the tag champs put the title on the line. Big E and Kofi Kingston griped about having to also defend the belts inside the Elimination Chamber.

They soon had more pressing issues to deal with. Cesaro and Tyson Kidd had them reeling early on. It took a clubbing blow from Big E to save Kingston from Kidd's sharpshooter.

The New Day responded to that near-defeat by stomping on Kidd in the corner until the referee called for the bell. A brawl broke out between all four men. Woods, The Lucha Dragons, The Prime Time Players, The Ascension and Los Matadores joined the fray.

Titus O'Neil and Darren Young won this fight, leaving a line of fallen men outside the ring.

Result

Cesaro and Kidd win via disqualification.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"You simple, illiterate people in this backwater state."—Big E to the fans.

Grade

C

Analysis

The match was merely meant to set up the Elimination Chamber bout.

The New Day had some fine heel work here. It's how WWE went about booking its next title match that leaves one scratching one's head.

How are Erick Rowan and Luke Harper not involved here? And why didn't any of these teams have to qualify to get their spot? Los Matadores certainly don't feel like worthy contenders.

John Cena's United States Championship Open Challenge

John Cena talked up the United States Championship, saluted some military personnel in the audience and welcomed his next challenger.

It turned out to be Kevin Owens, who walked out to the ring with the NXT Championship belt in hand. Owens congratulated Cena before taking a shot at the crowd and bragging about hurting Sami Zayn.

They bickered in the ring. Owens, though, eventually declined the challenge. He instead ambushed Cena and stepped on the U.S. title.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"This is a true symbol of excellence, sportsmanship and opportunity."—Cena on the U.S. title.

"You don't get to give me advice ever."—Owens to Cena.

Owens delivers a pop-up powerbomb.

Grade

A

Analysis

What a surprise and what a moment.

The company prevented this from being a classic segment by asking Owens and Cena to plug the WWE Network too much. In the heat of a confrontation like that, no one throws in something like that.

This attack planted seeds of things to come and allowed Owens to answer the challenge without taking the loss that others before him did. A touch less talking would have put this over the top, but as it stands, it will be the talk of Raw.

Dolph Ziggler vs. Stardust

Stardust lost despite being in control for the majority of the very short match. Dolph Ziggler hit just one move, but it happened to be his best one—the Zig Zag.

After the victory, Ziggler found out through Michael Cole that he would be the final entrant in the Intercontinental Championship Elimination Chamber match. Ziggler got an even better gift shortly after that. Lana came out and kissed him twice.

That inspired Rusev to charge out and flatten The Showoff. Lana slapped the bruiser; Ziggler hit him with a Zig Zag and escorted Lana to the back.

Result

Ziggler wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"That's called rebounding right there."—Booker T.

"Chicks dig scars, so there you go."—Ziggler.

Grade

B-

Analysis

There was little entertainment from this dud of a match. It's all the shenanigans that followed it that earn this a higher grade. 

Ziggler looks to now have the bonus of having Lana in his corner. He also enters the Elimination Chamber with two enemies. Animosity will flow between him and both Rusev and Sheamus.

This moment offered a sneak peek into a Ziggler-Rusev feud, which has plenty of promise. WWE should run with that option after the upcoming pay-per-view.

Erick Rowan and Luke Harper vs. Fandango and Zack Ryder

Fandango used his speed to his advantage for a moment. He soon found himself writhing on the mat, though. Luke Harper and Erick Rowan manhandled the dancer.

Zack Ryder got a few blows in, but Harper rattled his head against the canvas. The bearded bruisers soon ended the match. 

Result

Harper and Rowan win via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

Fans chant, "We want Ryder!" 

Harper and Rowan hit a superkick-full nelson slam combo.

Grade

C

Analysis

The heels get put over by dominating the low-rung stars. There wasn't anything special to this match, but it served its purpose.

More displays of power like this from Rowan and Harper are plenty welcome. They just need some worthy rivals down the road.

Nikki Bella vs. Naomi (Divas Championship)

Citing concern about Brie Bella's mental state, Stephanie McMahon disallowed her from accompanying her sister at ringside. While Brie stayed in the back, Nikki Bella went it alone.

A cocky Naomi evaded the champ early. Nikki responded with some hard shots, whipping her opponent around the ring.

Nikki had the match in hand, putting her opponent on her shoulders for the Rack Attack. Tamina Snuka prevented that with a superkick.

The heels went on the attack, only to have to face Paige, who chased them away. Paige then turned her focus to the champion, driving Nikki's head into the mat.

Result

Nikki wins via disqualification.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

Nikki hits a suicide dive on both Tamina and Naomi.

Paige prances around the ring with the Divas title in hand.

Grade

B

Analysis

This match is representative of a recent trend of the Divas becoming more aggressive. Strikes are getting harder. Slams are delivered with more force.

That and WWE offering a bit more ring time has aided the division. Making the title picture a bit more crowded will help as well. Paige enters a feud that was running out of steam.

WWE now has some options to play with when proceeding with this narrative. A Triple Threat match at Elimination Chamber is certainly an intriguing one.

Architect of a Dream

Backstage, The Authority began the celebrations early. Seth Rollins poured champagne and made sure to take another shot at Kane.

Dean Ambrose tried to get a title match; Rollins refused. 

Later in the night, Triple H, Stephanie McMahon and Kane saluted Rollins. They clapped, grinned and sang his praises.

Kane wasn't as thrilled. He struggled to say anything positive about the champion. The Director of Operations showed a video recounting Rollins' career.

Ambrose climbed into the ring with The Authority in mid-celebration. He again demanded a title shot.

J&J Security and Rollins attacked The Lunatic Fringe. Ambrose, though, looked to smash Rollins' head into a stack of cinder blocks. That threat was enough to get him his championship match.

Soon, being outnumbered left him lying there. Rollins hit a Pedigree to knock out his rival.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"I saved your job, and you finally have something to celebrate."—Rollins to Kane.

Ambrose calls Kane "a glorified butler."

"When I look at The Architect, I see the reflection of The Cerebral Assassin."—Triple H.

Ambrose flips Rollins over the announce table.

Grade

B+

Analysis

It's a surprise that Ambrose is getting his one-on-one crack at the gold before Roman Reigns. The fact that WWE referenced the cinder-block attack from last August is equally shocking. WWE doesn't use past narratives like that nearly often enough. 

The closing segment was solid, although not especially electric. The feud will get tremendous, though, if WWE commits to it. 

These two wrestlers will build on the great chemistry they showed last summer. They will make WWE look smart at Elimination Chamber by delivering in the ring come main event time.