WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from June 8

Just six days away from its Money in the Bank pay-per-view event, WWE rolled into the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans for this week's episode of Raw.

The "Lunatic Fringe" Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns have proven quite the thorn in the side of The Authority, working together to keep the WWE World Heavyweight Championship out of Seth Rollins' hands.

Sunday night, things may prove much different, when Ambrose and Rollins battle in a ladder match for the most coveted prize in professional wrestling.

Reigns, on the other hand, will be plenty busy as he competes in a Money in the Bank Ladder match. He will be given the opportunity to challenge for the WWE title at any time over the next year with a win on Sunday night.

Would the good times continue to roll for the former Shield brothers, or would Rollins and The Authority stand tall to end the evening's broadcast?

Fans got their answer during the final Raw before this Sunday's extravaganza.

Relive this week's episode of WWE's premier show with analysis and grades for Monday's matches, moments and promos involving the likes of John Cena, Kevin Owens, Dolph Ziggler, Sheamus, Kane and intercontinental champion Ryback.

John Cena and Kevin Owens' In-Ring Promo

United States champion John Cena kicked off the evening's program and discussed this Sunday's match with NXT champion Kevin Owens.

Owens interrupted and called Cena delusional for thinking that he can possibly defeat Owens at Money in the Bank.

Cena tried to convince Owens to put the NXT title on the line, but that did not go over well. Cena then issued his open U.S. title challenge, to which Owens suggested they let the next guy to walk down the ramp choose which championship they compete for.

Neville answered the call and vowed to beat Owens, whom he claimed was insulting and disrespecting his fellow Superstars.

And the match was on.

Grade

B+

Analysis

Was this as strong as the previous promos involving Cena and Owens? No, but it felt more organic. It was two guys trying to sell one of the marquee matches on the Money in the Bank pay-per-view, and they succeeded.

Best of all, it set up a great opener between two of the breakout stars emanating from NXT.

And to top it all off, it provided fans with a break from the monotonous Authority promo that has plagued the opening minutes of Raw over the last few months.

Neville vs. Kevin Owens

Cena sat in on commentary as Owens battled Neville in the night's opening contest.

Owens controlled the action early, landing a cannonball and sending Neville to the arena floor.

A German suplex and big kick to the face set Neville up for a Red Arrow attempt. The NXT champion rolled out of the way, but Neville landed on his feet, preventing a crash-and-burn landing.

Neville once again made his way to the top rope, but Owens caught him. Seconds later, he delivered the popup powerbomb for the victory in 14 minutes. 

Result

Kevin Owens defeated Neville.

Grade

A

Analysis

An extraordinary wrestling match to get things kicked off.

Owens and Neville had some really strong matches in NXT prior to the Brit's main roster call-up, and Monday night they added another outstanding bout to their resumes.

Owens' clean win does nothing to hurt Neville. Owens has knocked off Cena and torn through everyone put in his path. That the former NXT champion was able to hang with Owens as long as he did, if anything, proves his toughness.

Nikki Bella vs. Summer Rae

Summer Rae returned to the squared circle Monday night, serving as the warmup for Divas champion Nikki Bella ahead of this weekend's title defense against Paige.

Unfortunately for the former NXT star, she did not fair so well, suffering a Rack Attack and pinfall loss.

Result

Nikki Bella pinned Summer Rae.

Grade

D

Analysis

Nikki looked strong here ahead of her match with Paige, but Summer Rae was a questionable opponent. It has been months since she has wrestled a meaningful match. Putting her in there in a contest specifically meant to sell a pay-per-view match was a poor choice.

Paige's absence was also curious, as the spotlight was clearly intended to shine brightest on the champion.

Money in the Bank Match Hype

Roman Reigns hit the ring for a promo about this Sunday's Money in the Bank Ladder match.

Before he could get too far, Kane interrupted him.

From there, the entire segment descended into an advertisement for this weekend's ladder match.

Sheamus interrupted and was booked in a singles match with Randy Orton, per the Director of Operations' instructions.

Grade

D

Analysis

As a promotional piece, this was fine. All the players in the ladder match were involved, taking jabs at each other in an attempt to get fans to believe that guys like The New Day's Kofi Kingston, R-Truth and Kane actually stand a chance in the much-anticipated match.

In reality, it was a convoluted setup to a contest fans saw last week between Orton and Sheamus.

With that in mind, it was a lazy segment from a WWE Creative team that should be more invested in booking television that convinces fans to subscribe to the WWE Network.

Randy Orton vs. Sheamus

Orton started quick, controlling the contest heading into the break.

After the commercial, though, Sheamus controlled the pace, wearing The Viper down with a side headlock. Orton mounted a comeback, exchanging a series of rights with The Celtic Warrior.

The fight spilled outside the squared circle, and Sheamus tossed Orton back-first into the security barricade. He grabbed a chair, but Orton cut him off with a big shot to the stomach. He grabbed the chair and got himself disqualified, blasting his opponent across the back.

He shoved Sheamus into the steel steps and finished his assault with the RKO.

Orton stood tall to close out the segment.

Result

Sheamus defeated Randy Orton via disqualification.

Grade

B

Analysis

Another solid wrestling match here between Sheamus and Orton.

After the former got himself disqualified last week, Orton returned the favor, leaving The Celtic Warrior lying there and establishing himself as a favorite to leave this weekend's show with the briefcase for the second time.

With no clear direction for either of them, it may not be a bad idea for these two to continue their rivalry past Monday in the Bank and deep into the summer, especially if the matches can build on the quality they have established to this point.

Dolph Ziggler vs. Kane

The second of the Money in the Bank preview matches pitted Dolph Ziggler against Director of Operations Kane.

Kane wore Ziggler down as Lana watched on from the ramp. The Showoff attempted a comeback with a stiff kick to the face, but a sidewalk slam put him back down on the mat.

Rusev appeared on the ramp and heckled Lana, causing her to fall off the stage, injuring her leg.

Kane capitalized on the distraction, delivering a chokeslam and scoring a rare singles victory.

Result

Kane pinned Dolph Ziggler.

Grade

C

Analysis

The match was more or less a backdrop for the feud between Ziggler and Rusev, which is sure to intensify following the injury suffered by Lana after being heckled by her former charge Monday night.

Kane's weaknesses as a worker were exposed here as he was unable to keep up with Ziggler, and thus, the match was worked at his pace. The crowd responded in kind, sitting on its hands most of the way through.

Naturally, the only way Kane can win a match is to beat the guy who loses more than he does for someone regularly appearing on Raw and SmackDown.

Miz TV with Ryback and Big Show

The Miz was understandably upset over his treatment at the hands of Big Show on last week's show. He claimed that he should be the most must-see intercontinental champion, but, instead, Ryback holds the gold.

The Big Guy joined the A-lister in the squared circle and proceeded to exchange insults with him.

Big Show eventually made his way to the ring, drawing a reception rivaling that of...The Brooklyn Brawler.

Ryback was not intimidated by the World's Largest Athlete and offered to put the gold on the line. The Miz, however, caught the giant with the microphone to the back of the head.

Big Show cleared the ring, but Ryback got the last laugh, taking him down with Shell Shocked, much to the crowd's delight.

Grade

B

Analysis

This went on just a bit too long, but otherwise, it was a solid way to build a three-way rivalry over the Intercontinental Championship.

Two of the three guys involved in this product are former heavyweight champions, thus lending credibility to the rivalry. Ryback will benefit from beating both guys when the time comes, and, more importantly, he will be an even bigger winner as he gets the opportunity to talk more than he has to this point.

Los Matadores vs. Luke Harper and Erick Rowan

Luke Harper and Erick Rowan rolled over Los Matadores Monday night, unveiling a new finishing maneuver—The Way (think the Dudley Boyz 3D).

After the match, Harper warned that "the time to pay for your sins is coming."

Rowan finished by saying that it is OK to be afraid and that the WWE Universe should be. 

Result

Luke Harper and Erick Rowan defeated Los Matadores.

Grade

C-

Analysis

This was a solid reintroduction to Harper and Rowan as a team.

The match was nothing special, but the post-match promo was ominous and set the stage for a potential Wyatt Family reunion—or worse...a pairing with an unknown, more dangerous entity.

Whatever the case may be, the tag division is exponentially better with the duo back terrorizing their fellow teams.

Titus O'Neil vs. Big E

In a preview of this Sunday's tag team championship match saw The New Day's Big E battle the Prime Time Player's Titus O'Neil.

The heavyweights pummeled each other, with O'Neil impressively tossing Big E around the squared circle.

Unfortunately, any momentum he built for himself was erased when he was distracted by Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston at ringside, allowing Big E to deliver the Big Ending for the pinfall victory. 

Result

Big E defeated Titus O'Neil.

Grade

D

Analysis

With only three minutes to work, this was hardly suitable hype for the tag title match.

The match was OK for what it was, with a disjointed spot midway through.

Big E's win would seem to suggest that the Prime Time Players have a good chance of leaving Money in the Bank with the tag titles. With The New Day all over this week's show, though, it is clear that the company sees them as more than just a tag team act, meaning the PTPs are likely placeholders.

Roman Reigns vs. Kofi Kingston

Credit: WWE.com

The final match of the Money in the Bank preview bouts saw Kofi Kingston battle Roman Reigns one-on-one.

Xavier Woods spoke words of inspiration as Kingston controlled the early portion of the match. Reigns exploded with a clothesline that sent his opponent crashing to the arena floor. Reigns slammed Kingston face-first into the announce table.

A dive off the ring steps took out Woods but allowed Kingston to attack, leaving him with the advantage heading to break.

Kofi delivered a huge double axe handle ala Randy Savage that kept Reigns down for a two-count.

Kingston's missed corner splash allowed Reigns to mount a comeback, blasting his opponent with a series of clotheslines and a splash of his own. A tilt-a-whirl slam, a modified sit-out powerbomb and a Superman punch in midair spelled the end for Kingston.

Result

Roman Reigns defeated Kofi Kingston.

Grade

B

Analysis

One of the night's better matches saw Reigns continue his hot streak of in-ring performances. 

Kofi is unlike anyone else the juggernaut has faced to this point in 2015, and he proved, yet again, that he can work a good match with anyone of any style, something he does not get nearly enough credit for.

It was a solid showing for Kingston, who has not had the opportunity to work as a heel in a singles capacity to this point.

Seth Rollins vs. J&J Security

Seth Rollins' ego got the best of him earlier in the night, leading to a disagreement between him and J&J Security that got physical.

In the night's main event, Rollins had the opportunity to prove his superiority over his security staff when he met them in a 2-on-1 Handicap match. Kane supported Joey Mercury and Jamie Noble, while Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose sat at ringside, the latter with a ticket and a bagful of popcorn in the audience.

The Architect was clearly rattled, thrown to the outside by Noble and Mercury and mocked by Ambrose.

J&J Security continued to out-wrestle Rollins, but it was only a matter of time before the current WWE World Heavyweight champion snapped, and he pummeled his former associates.

"Let's go Joey" chants filled the arena as Mercury nearly scored an upset. A missed splash on Rollins' part ignited J&J Security's comeback.

Noble exploded into the match and bumped Rollins all over the ring.

Rollins recovered, wiped Noble out with a big kick to the face and delivered a corner powerbomb to Mercury.

Ambrose hopped the guardrail and distracted Rollins, leading to a shocking pinfall victory for Mercury and Noble.

The Lunatic Fringe delivered Dirty Deeds to the fans' delight, closing out the broadcast.

Result

J&J Security defeated Seth Rollins.

Grade

B

Analysis

This one was interesting early on in that the crowd had no idea who to cheer for. As it progressed, Joey Mercury did such a phenomenal job of garnering sympathy that the fans began getting into the action. By the time Jamie Noble tagged in and began running through Rollins, they were as hot as they had been all night.

The finish was not much of a surprise in that it was essentially telegraphed the minute Ambrose appeared at ringside, but it still worked.

After a year of Rollins being one step ahead of his competition and relying heavily on The Authority, he now enters Money in the Bank without that crutch to lean on. Perhaps it leads to The Architect winning clean and proving himself a worthy champion for the first time.

On second thought, that makes too much sense. Bring on more Kane.