WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from July 6

The highlights from the first Raw in July made it easy to forget about the show's more plodding moments.

Brock Lesnar's talent for destruction, Paul Heyman's sermon and another classic in the United States Championship Open Challenge series made Monday's Raw feel like a go-home show for Battleground. Those peaks electrified the Chicago crowd.

Even a group as famously raucous as it is, though, couldn't maintain a high energy level through Raw's three hours.

Don't blame the fans. Blame matches such as Big Show vs. Ryback. A lot of the night featured poor bouts that failed to thrill between the ropes, although some did well to advance storylines.

That's not what fans will taking about on Tuesday at work, however. The post-Raw conversation is sure to center around Lesnar leaving a Cadillac looking like it had been through a demolition derby.

WWE will be hoping that this conversation start, and having The Beast back will be a victory in terms of ratings after a near-record low last week.

Brock Lesnar

Paul Heyman promised that Brock Lesnar would destroy Seth Rollins and whoever else was in his way. The manager recounted Lesnar's recent conquests.

The opening promo featured a glut of biblical imagery and a reminder of why Lesnar is so intent on tearing into Rollins. That process, as Heyman informed us, would begin Monday night in Chicago.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

Heyman calls Lesnar the Mayor of Suplex City and later "The Beast of Battleground."

My client Brock Lesnar is not a god of love. He's a not a god of family. He's a not a god of charity. He's a not a god of forgiveness. My client Brock Lesnar is the god of violent retribution."—Heyman.

Seth Rollins you have broken the 11th commandment. Thou shall not intentionally provoke The Beast Brock Lesnar."—Heyman.

"I assure you that the title match may take place in St. Louis, but the beatings and suplexes begin tonight!"—Heyman.

Grade

A-

Analysis

Even if Heyman had a few slip-ups in his speech, he had so much great imagery and his usual infectious passion that this was instantly one of 2015's best promos.

Heyman used a sermon style to rile up the fans in attendance and, more importantly, sell the audience as a whole on the Battleground main event.

Nobody does that quite like Heyman. He expertly built up the bout, summing up the rivalry and laying out the stakes in a powerful rant.

Big Show vs. Ryback

The Miz shouted commentary into a live microphone as the big bulls collided in the ring.

Ryback stomped on the giant, and Big Show clubbed the intercontinental champion, with The Miz giving both men advice. The self-proclaimed A-lister hung out on the ring apron, distracting both wrestlers.

Just when it looked like Big Show had the champ beat, The Miz ran into the ring to end the match.

Both Big Show and Ryback cornered a pleading Miz. They took turns delivering their signature moves. Ryback took the opportunity to flatten Big Show.

Result

The match ends in a no-contest.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"I'm not from Cleveland; I'm from Hollywood, idiots."—The Miz to fans chanting "Cleveland sucks!"

Ryback misses a splash from the top rope. Big Show follows with a diving elbow drop from the second rope.

Grade

C-

Analysis

Why WWE would give away Big Show vs. Ryback ahead of Battleground is hard to understand. Yes, it's different than the Triple Threat match set for the pay-per-view, but having these two collide here in an underwhelming match did nothing to spark interest in their next meeting.

There hasn't been a ton of creativity with this rivalry at all. The formula seems to be to just stick all three guys together and hope for the best.

The narrative is getting lost here. It's the most muddled feud for a Battleground match right now.

Brie Bella vs. Paige

Paige took on Brie Bella having to keep her eyes on Nikki Bella and Alicia Fox at ringside.

Brie dominated early on. She had some help from Nikki and Alicia who took cheap shots on the babyface. Their distractions led to Brie getting the win.

The heels took turns attacking Paige after the bell and celebrating on their way out of their ring.

Result

Brie wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

Paige throws Brie into Nikki.

Grade

B-

Analysis

This is the most clear this story has been. Paige's frustration and the injustice she suffered popped on the screen.

The in-ring action itself was just OK, but this really boosts the feud. Paige comes out looking outnumbered. The Bellas look like grinning cheaters.

Props to WWE for talking up Nikki's reign. Cole mentioned Nikki's "Quest for 300" as in days that she has been champ. This should be a more prominent storyline, but a quick note is better than what we have seen in the past, with women poised to break records with the Divas Championship.

Roman Reigns vs. Sheamus

A focused, angry Roman Reigns had Sheamus on the run for but a brief moment. The slugfest soon became more even, the two gladiators pounding on each other.

The crowd grew restless. With Sheamus locking his arm around Reigns' head, the fans began to chant for CM Punk and John "Bradshaw" Layfield.

Reigns and Sheamus turned up the intensity, the sound of flesh hitting flesh echoing through the Allstate Arena. The lights soon went off, and Bray Wyatt emerged.

Reigns thought he had his rival in punching distance, but it was only a stunt double in a wig. That allowed Sheamus to get the win.

Randy Orton stormed the ring soon after. He ended their brief brawl with an RKO.

Result

Sheamus wins via count-out.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

Reigns knocks the Money in the Bank briefcase out of Sheamus' hands.

Sheamus spends a long time adjusting his hair mid-match.

Reigns Superman-punches Sheamus out of the air.

Grade

B

Analysis

Another hard-hitting bout between these two clearly didn't impress the Chicago crowd. Reigns and Sheamus are both guys the "smark" fans like to pick on.

The ending was a smart move, a way to have Wyatt continue his mind games. It would have been better if we could have heard the referee's count. And it should have been more obvious after Reigns pulled the double's wig off that it wasn't Wyatt.

The camera moved away from him too quickly.

Still, it's comforting to see WWE writers making an effort like this. The Wyatt-Reigns feud has benefited from attention and outside-of-the-box thinking.

Rusev Lays Out Dolph Ziggler

Rusev stood in the ring on crutches and "apologized" for wasting his time with Lana. He badmouthed Dolph Ziggler and flirted with Summer Rae.

The Showoff came out with Lana to address Rusev's comments. Ziggler kissed his new woman. That inspired Rusev to bend a crutch across Ziggler's back.

After superkicking Ziggler, Rusev yanked off his walking boot. He then beat on Ziggler until WWE officials pulled The Showoff away on a stretcher.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

Fans chant, "We want Lana!"

"I'm honestly better looking and more passionate."—Rusev comparing himself to Ziggler.

Rusev crushes Ziggler's throat with a crutch.

Grade

B-

Analysis

This story continues to be a hit and a miss at the same time. All the corny love elements are hard to swallow. And Ziggler and Lana aren't a convincing couple in the least. 

Rusev's acting has been stellar throughout, though. He finally gets to inflict some violence, giving fans one of the bigger surprises of the night by taking off his walking boot.

It's clear that these two are headed for a showdown at Battlegroud. Now the writers can move away from emulating soap operas and start setting up more brawls.

Bo Dallas vs. Dean Ambrose

Bo Dallas mocked Ziggler before suffering a whirlwind of strikes from Dean Ambrose.

The Lunatic Fringe withstood Dallas' own offensive flurry and then got back to controlling the action. Dirty Deeds ended the short bout.

Result

Ambrose wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"This is like Evel Knievel vs. Tony Robbins."—Byron Saxton.

Grade

C

Analysis

Despite being a fresh matchup, Ambrose vs. Dallas wasn't anything noteworthy. This pairing is a sign of WWE not being sure what to do with Ambrose.

Without Rollins to hunt, he's in limbo. This looked more like a stepping-stone match than the beginning of a feud, but it's hard to tell where Ambrose is stepping to next.

King Barrett vs. R-Truth

Both men in the respective royal attire, King Barrett and R-Truth barked at each other before the match.

Once the bell rang, Barrett flung R-Truth around. He inflicted a beating with a methodical pace. The babyface survived, going on a brief rally.

R-Truth scored a number of near-falls, but he took a Bull Hammer and didn't get up.

Result

Barrett wins via R-Truth.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

Barrett twice throws R-Truth into the ring post.

Barrett nails a flying R-Truth with a Bull Hammer.

Grade

B-

Analysis

This is the strongest Barrett has looked in a long time. He not only won but also did so handily.

Now hopefully, his run-ins with R-Truth are over. That feud only served to make him look foolish. It's time to start building on his King of the Ring win rather than have it lead to silly king-related fare.

Seth Rollins Calls Out Brock Lesnar

With ax handles at the ready, Seth Rollins and J&J Security waited for Lesnar in the ring. Rollins bragged about his greatness, insulted Lesnar and talked himself up as a "thinking man's champion."

The champ provoked Lesnar until he appeared on the entrance ramp. Lesnar teased a retreat from Rollins and company, but instead grabbed a pair of axes.

He used the weapons to demolish J&J Security's new Cadillac. Lesnar flipped Joey Mercury over the car hood and broke Jamie Noble's arm with a Kimura lock.

Rollins didn't wait for what would happen to him; he darted out of the building like a cockroach when the lights come on. 

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"I left Brock Lesnar lying in the ring like a whimpering dog."—Rollins.

"Are you the beast everyone says you are, or are you just Paul Heyman's bitch?"—Rollins.

"Brock Lesnar has started his own Minnesota Wrecking Crew out here."—Michael Cole.

"If that car could tap out, it would."—John "Bradshaw" Layfield.

Lesnar rips off the car's door and flings it like a discus.

Lesnar suplexes Mercury onto the Cadillac's hood.

Grade

A+

Analysis

One of the stronger lasting images of the year is seeing that car sliced open, its windows broken and an ax lodged into its body. It provides a great visual of Lesnar's power and fury.

Saving the eventual beatdown that's coming to Rollins is smart. Fans still have that to look forward to at Battleground.

Rollins' brashness early on was a welcome sight. Sure he played the coward in the end, but he seemed to believe his bold claims and laid out a plan to trap The Beast Incarnate.

The Lucha Dragons vs. The New Day

The Prime Time Players provided commentary as their challengers at Battleground went to battle.

The champs had great seats for a fast-paced match. Xavier Woods stood on the apron to try and stop The Lucha Dragons from taking out Kofi Kingston. He failed, soon ending up in a pile of blue-clad heels on the floor.

Sin Cara nearly willed his team to victory, but an errant suicide dive shifted things to The New Day's favor. 

Result

The New Day wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

Kalisto hits a springboard spinning clothesline.

Big E smacks the trademark The New Day chant onto Kalisto's ribs.

Big E catches Kalisto in mid-air and then suplexes him onto the floor.

Grade

B+

Analysis

A fun match served to give The New Day some momentum. Nothing newsworthy happened in this feud, but getting the challengers a big win is the right move.

O'Neil was dominant and annoying on commentary. He's been funny in that role in the past. He tried too hard here, making it tough to enjoy the action. 

WWE should have had Kingston sell his beating from Lesnar match more. He just got whipped by The Beast Incarnate on Saturday. Shouldn't he have been the one standing at ringside rather than Woods? Shouldn't he have been wearing a neck brace or at least have a limp?

John Cena vs. Cesaro

Credit: WWE.com

John Cena smugly discussed Kevin Owens losing the NXT Championship before promising to entertain the crowd with his latest United States title match.

Kevin Owens came out, ranting about how he's tired of Cena's speeches. Just as the bout was set to begin between these two rivals, Cesaro emerged. The Swiss Superman said that Owens is the only reason he didn't defeat Cena last week and demanded that he get the shot against Cena.

Owens let Cesaro take his place, saying nothing as he exited.

Cesaro and Cena traded big moves in a close bout. The King of Swing was in control more often than not, grounding the champ with his superior mat skills.

A hobbled Cena fought off defeat with kick-outs and counters. When it was his turn on offense, he struggled to put Cesaro away. Even the Attitude Adjustment couldn't net the champ a win.

After trading submission holds, each man gave his foes just about everything in his arsenal. It took an AA from the second rope to finally get a three-count.

Owens came running in, looking to take down Cena. The champ sent him running with another AA.

Result

Cena wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"Every week, the worst part of Raw is when you come out here and you spew out the same garbage over and over again."—Owens to Cena.

Cesaro hits a one-armed delayed vertical suplex and squats with Cena in his grip.

Cesaro nails Cena with a trio of gutwrench suplexes.

Cena counters a powerbomb attempt with a Hurricanrana.

Cesaro hits a fallaway slam into the guardrail.

Grade

A+

Analysis

There was more of everything that made the last bout between these wrestlers so good: chemistry, a contrast of styles, great performances by both men. The rematch was superior, though. It was even more electric, even more of a showcase of both champion and challenger.

This was an enthralling contest that will be in the Match of the Year conversation.

To put it in the main event slot helps the continued rehab of the U.S. title. Owens' clear desire to hold the belt does that as well.

WWE just has to decide what to do with Cesaro. A man capable of producing matches like that can't be relegated to the bottom of the card. A feud with Owens post-Battleground has plenty of appeal.