WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from September 21

Seth Rollins' United States Championship reign may have come to an end at Night of Champions, courtesy of John Cena, but Monday night, he would have the opportunity to regain the title he lost just one night earlier, courtesy of Director of Operations Kane.

Why would the Dockers-wearing executive give the man he assaulted at the end of Sunday's extravaganza the opportunity win back his title?

Fans would find out soon enough.

Speaking of championship changes, Charlotte attempted to celebrate her Divas title win with her father, Ric Flair, and the WWE Universe but had her night ruined by the least likely of suspects.

Fresh off their win over Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose and Chris Jericho, The Wyatt Family kicked off Monday's show. They would not be left standing tall, however, as the former Shield members were joined by a predatory Superstar looking to strike in retaliation for a beatdown suffered two weeks ago.

What else went down as WWE hit the USA Network airwaves for Monday Night Raw, hot on the heels of a Night of Champions pay-per-view that will set the stage for the final months of 2015?

Take a look for yourself with this week's grades and analysis.

The Wyatt Family Kicks Off Raw

Just 24 hours after defeating Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose and mystery partner Chris Jericho in a six-man tag team match on Raw, The Wyatt Family kicked off this week's broadcast.

Wyatt discussed their victory from Night of Champions but was interrupted by a Reigns looking for a fight. He challenged The Reaper of Souls to a fight, and Wyatt obliged.

Luke Harper and Braun Strowman interrupted the one-on-one brawl before Randy Orton and Dean Ambrose made the save, standing tall to end the night's opening segment.

Grade

B-

Analysis

For the first time in what feels like an eternity, Seth Rollins and The Authority did not kick off Raw. Instead, focus was placed on the feud between Reigns, Ambrose, Orton and The Wyatt Family, and the fans responded with a molten-hot reaction to the brawl that ensued.

WWE logic suggested this would end with a giant six-man tag match later in the night, and if that's the case, the show would be book-ended by two energetic and frenetically paced segments.

Neville and Lucha Dragons vs. Stardust and The Ascension

Neville and the Lucha Dragons reunited Monday night in an attempt to avenge their defeat at the hands of The Cosmic Wasteland during Sunday's Night of Champions Kickoff Show.

The Man That Gravity Forgot started quickly, but as the match settled down, he found himself isolated from his partner and in desperate need of a tag. He would get just that, and Kalisto exploded into the match, wiping out the opposition with his dazzling offense.

One Salida del Sol later and the heroes had vanquished the villains and given the fans the happy ending they were robbed of one night earlier.

Result

Neville and the Lucha Dragons defeated The Cosmic Wasteland.

Grade

B

Analysis

The action here was very strong, with all six men delivering a performance that rivaled, and may have even eclipsed, Sunday's offering.

It was nice to see Neville take the beating, thus giving Kalisto a rare chance to really shine in the spotlight.

Why the decision was made to job out The Cosmic Wasteland after giving it a much-needed victory at Night of Champions is a mystery, but given the track record of WWE Creative, there is likely some forced, convoluted reason for it that will only serve to hurt it in the long run.

Ryback vs. Bo Dallas

To say Sunday's Night of Champions was a heartbreaking one for Ryback would be an understatement. Just one night after dropping the intercontinental championship to Kevin Owens, The Big Guy took out his frustrations on Bo Dallas, beating the inspirational star with the Shell Shocked in just over three minutes.

After the match, Owens attacked Ryback but found himself scurrying up the ramp to safety, realizing that he may have awakened a beast.

Result

Ryback defeated Bo Dallas.

Grade

C-

Analysis

The match was a great showcase for Ryback, who bowled over his opponent Dallas, but Owens' post-match attack made little sense.

He won the IC title, getting what he wanted Sunday night at Night of Champions. What could the motivation possibly be for attacking Ryback? A guy like Owens would seemingly be content to move on, having accomplished his goal. Why would he continue infuriating The Big Guy and put that title reign at risk this early?

It was lazy booking that made little sense to anyone actually paying attention to the character developments that occur on a weekly basis.

Divas Championship Celebration

"The Nature Boy" Ric Flair introduced the world to new Divas champion Charlotte, who arrived flanked by Team PCB members Becky Lynch and Paige. Flair looked on, with his emotions overwhelming him as he watched his baby girl take to the ring with the title around her waist.

Charlotte thanked everyone around her, but when she addressed Paige, the Anti-Diva dealt her some harsh reality.

Paige called the entire ordeal patronizing and then said The Bella Twins would be coming for the Divas title, and the Divas division would go right back to the way it was.

She said everyone knows why Nikki and Brie got where they are and told Charlotte that she has only succeeded because of her father.

Paige left to a thunderous ovation. From there, The Bellas arrived on the scene, and Charlotte vs. Brie was announced for the following contest.

Grade

A

Analysis

After weeks of frustration, Paige finally erupted, cutting her own version of the pipe-bomb promo. The fans reacted favorably to it, as they did to the mention of the two-time Divas champion's name moments earlier.

Her words were harsh but reflected what a sizable portion of the audience has been thinking for months. That should help her as she breaks away from Team PCB and refocuses her attention on chasing the Divas title.

Nikki Bella responding by calling Paige trashy was the No.1 go-to comeback for the Diva, who has used it on AJ Lee and her own sister more than once.

Charlotte vs. Brie Bella

Fresh off being the subject of a scathing rant at the hands of Paige, Charlotte was forced into action against Brie Bella, with her night of celebration threatened by a loss to the former Divas champion.

Picking up where her sister left off Sunday night, Brie worked over the injured left knee of the champion, attempting to force a submission out of her.

Charlotte, though, showed the same strong will and determination that her father, Ric Flair, did throughout his legendary career and remained in the fight.

The spear/Figure-Eight combination put Brie away and allowed Charlotte to pick up the first victory of her championship reign.

Result

Charlotte defeated Brie Bella.

Grade

C-

Analysis

This was every Divas match, only with Brie focusing a little more on the injured knee than normal. Both women had their moments of looking strong, but the outcome was never really in doubt.

Like Night of Champions, the finish was completely illogical for someone supposedly suffering from a debilitating knee injury.

How fans are to believe that she was so hurt that she could somehow manage to bridge, thus putting all of her weight on her legs and arms, is a question Charlotte probably was not considering in either scenario.

Mark Henry vs. Sheamus

Fresh off his latest attempt to cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase at Night of Champions, Sheamus squared off with former rival "The World's Strongest Man" Mark Henry.

The Celtic Warrior found himself frustrated early, going as far as to throw a mini fit at ringside, pounding his fists on the floor.

He calmed himself, though, and blasted Henry with two straight Brogue Kicks for the pinfall victory. 

After the match, he reminded fans that it is only a matter of time before he wins the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

Result

Sheamus defeated Mark Henry.

Grade

D

Analysis

The "glancing" first Brogue Kick from Sheamus was ugly, and the second only drew attention to the fact that the first one was not very good.

Speaking of not very good, the use of Sheamus Monday night was questionable. Instead of following up on his near-cash in by working him into interactions with Seth Rollins and The Authority, WWE Creative wasted him in a glorified squash against Mark Henry.

Hopefully that changes come Thursday night on SmackDown.

Dolph Ziggler and The Dudley Boys vs. The New Day

Xavier Woods, Kofi Kingston and Big E continued their crusade to save the tables Monday night, but found themselves cut off by partner Rusev, who stomped toward the squared circle for a huge six-man tag team match against Dolph Ziggler and The Dudley Boyz.

Just one night removed from an incredibly physical match against The Bulgarian Brute, Ziggler found himself on the receiving end of a beatdown at the hands of all three of his opponents.

A late-match hot tag to Bubba Ray Dudley seemed to turn the tide in the favor of the babyfaces. Unfortunately for them, though, Rusev's superkick ended the night on a sour note as the former United States champion pinned The Showoff.

Result

Rusev, Kofi Kingston and Big E defeated The Dudley Boyz and Dolph Ziggler.

Grade

B

Analysis

WWE always delivers with its six-man tag team matches, and this was no exception. The action was crisp, the story was easy to follow and Ziggler was fantastic as the babyface in peril.

The New Day was fantastic, as per usual, with Woods infuriating fans with his use of the trombone at ringside. Rusev was intense and angry, playing his role to perfection.

The outcome was the right one, allowing The Bulgarian Brute to recover from Sunday's loss via a win over his primary rival.

Natalya vs. Naomi

On the heels of a backstage interaction with Paige in which the Anti-Diva made a good point by asking where Natalya has been in recent months, the third-generation Hart family competitor competed in her first Raw match in quite some time, squaring off with Team BAD's Naomi.

As motivated as she may have been to try and score a victory, though, she simply could not overcome the numbers game.

With Paige watching on a monitor in the backstage area, Natalya took out both Tamina and Sasha Banks as they tried to interfere, only to turn around into the Rear View and suffer a defeat.

Result

Naomi defeated Natalya.

Grade

C+

Analysis

It was great to see Natalya back in the ring and even better to see WWE Creative doing something with her by developing a storyline of sorts with Paige.

By falling at the hands of a three-on-one numbers disadvantage, it becomes more obvious just how alone Natalya is in a Divas division defined by three factions.

Could this result in the pairing of Natalya and Paige, or will they be on opposite sides of a secondary Divas feud?

Whatever the case may be, there is reason to be intrigued by Nattie, which is a welcome change.

Cesaro vs. Big Show

Cesaro has found himself on the receiving end of a handful of losses in recent weeks, the latest being to Big Show on the September 17 episode of SmackDown.

Monday night, he attempted to avenge the defeat as he squared off with The World's Largest Athlete in singles competition.

Much like the last time he tested the giant, he again was knocked out, courtesy of the industry's most devastating right hand.

After the match, Big Show spoke about his upcoming match with Brock Lesnar on October 3 from Madison Square Garden, exclusively airing on the WWE Network.

He discussed his history with Lesnar, including becoming the first Superstar to ever defeat The Beast in the same arena they will next battle, and he finished by promising he will not be making a trip to Suplex City.

Result

The Big Show defeated Cesaro.

Grade

C

Analysis

The use of Cesaro continues to be disheartening, another loss adding to the downward spiral that he has been on post-SummerSlam.

That he has been used to rehabilitate Big Show ahead of his match with Lesnar is another major disappointment, especially given the numerous other stars at WWE Creative's disposal.

Speaking of the giant, he cut a strong promo after the bout, and the reminder of his past success against Lesnar in MSG was a nice touch. Unfortunately, his booking has been so inconsistent over the years that fans do not buy him as a real threat to the former WWE and UFC champion.

United States Championship Match: John Cena vs. Seth Rollins

WWE world heavyweight champion Seth Rollins battled John Cena in the night's main event, a rematch from Night of Champions for the United States Championship.

Hobbled by the two matches he wrestled one night earlier, The Architect was a step slower than usual but still put up a tremendous fight as he worked to regain the title he lost 24 hours earlier.

Unfortunately for him, the arrogance he showed in trapping Cena in his own STF finisher proved for naught as he endured an Attitude Adjustment and lost for the second time in as many nights.

After the bout, Kane appeared on the video screen and warned Rollins about challenges from the least likely of opponents.

The pyro of the Big Red Monster exploded and through the ring he came, dragging Rollins to the depths of hell to close out the show.

Result

John Cena pinned Seth Rollins.

Grade

B

Analysis

Now playing the role of Brie Bella is Seth Rollins.

All joking aside, Kane popping up from underneath the ring and pulling wrestlers to the arena floor with him is exactly the sort of parlor trick WWE Creative leans on too frequently in regard to the character. To cover up the fact that the man behind the mask is no longer able to perform at the level he once did, WWE Creative books him as a cartoon character.

That is not something Rollins needs at this point in his title reign, when he is trying desperately to retain credibility amid Creative's questionable booking.

The match with Cena was fantastic, but the post-match activities looked like something out of a G-level horror flick that would get passed over on Netflix by even the most ardent of horror fans.