WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from October 12

With only two weeks to go until Hell in a Cell, WWE Creative turned its attention to filling out the rest of the card and telling the stories that will culminate on October 25.

Randy Orton and Dean Ambrose found out they would battle Braun Strowman and Luke Harper and then proceeded to prove that ego and pride may stand in their way of victory by losing to The New Day.

Kane pinned Seth Rollins, proving that The Architect's days as WWE champion may be numbered.

Then there was Roman Reigns, who dealt Strowman his first loss, winning by count-out.

With all of that said, it was John Cena and Dolph Ziggler that stole the show in the United States Championship Open Challenge. Cena won, but noticeable tension suggested Ziggler may not be done chasing the gold.

It was a lackluster episode of Raw as a whole, but there were more than a few segments that got it right, proving that WWE Creative can deliver.

It just needs to do so more consistently.

In-Ring Promo: Dean Ambrose, Randy Orton and The New Day

The Hell in a Cell pay-per-view continued to take shape Monday night, with Randy Orton announcing to the world that he will team with Dean Ambrose to battle Braun Strowman and Luke Harper at the October 25 pay-per-view.

They bickered before The New Day interrupted.

After some hilarious promo work from Big E, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, Director of Operations Kane appeared and announced a huge tag team match to kick off the night's in-ring action.

Grade

C-

Analysis

There were only two positives to be had here.

The first was the announcement of a tag match featuring Orton, Ambrose and the remaining Wyatt Family members.

The second was The New Day's consistent excellence as on-air characters.

Other than that, this was a complete throwaway segment designed to set up an opener that could have been done with a simple pre-show announcement.

Dean Ambrose and Randy Orton vs. The New Day

Kofi Kingston and Big E looked to continue their winning ways in tag action, battling Dean Ambrose and Randy Orton in what was essentially a look at The Viper and the Lunatic Fringe's chemistry, or lack thereof, as a tandem.

The bickering that reared its ugly head in the opening promo was prevalent as the babyfaces continued to argue, their egos and clashing personalities in the way of a truly dominant performance.

Yet, that did not stop them from controlling the early portion of the bout.

During the break, The New Day wrestled control from the opposition, with Xavier Woods proving to be the difference-maker. Orton found himself isolated from his partner, but a last-ditch effort that saw him send Big E soaring over the top rope and to the arena floor allowed him to tag in Ambrose, who exploded into the match like a ball of fire.

Late in the match, Ambrose cut off an attempt by Big E to attack Orton, only to have The Viper sent into him, providing just enough of a distraction that Kingston could score the pinfall victory over the multi-time WWE champion.

Result

The New Day defeated Dean Ambrose and Randy Orton.

Grade

B

Analysis

This was a really smartly booked match, with the dissension between Ambrose and Orton proving the difference.

As first-time tag partners, it only makes sense that there would be a distrust that exists between them. They played that up to a tee, and the finish not only furthered that blossoming story, but it also allowed The New Day to pick up a relatively clean victory that showcased the wrestling stable's resourcefulness as tag team champions.

Naomi vs. Nikki Bella

Naomi and Nikki Bella may have squared off in singles competition, as the war between Team Bella and Team B.A.D. continued Monday night, but it was Sasha Banks who had the love of the Chicago audience, as her name was chanted passionately prior to the bout.

It did not help that a video package of her awesome performance against Bayley at TakeOver last Wednesday aired moments earlier.

Nikki controlled the majority of the match until Naomi's comeback seemed to turn the tide in her favor. Brie Bella attempted to drive a wedge between Team B.A.D., serenading everyone with chants of "we want Sasha," perhaps frustrating the overshadowed Naomi and Tamina.

Banks took Brie down, but back inside the ring, Nikki scored the victory.

Result

Nikki Bella defeated Naomi.

Grade

C+

Analysis

As a match, this was light-years behind the brilliant match Banks and Bayley wrestled just days earlier. Like the opener, though, it was a nice bit of storytelling as the idea of jealousy on the part of Naomi and Tamina regarding Sasha Banks was floated out there for the WWE Universe to digest.

That development would be exactly what The Boss needs to break free from the bland Team B.A.D. and become her own star. As one of the best wrestlers in the business in 2015, regardless of her gender, Banks deserves that opportunity.

The vocal Chicago audience made that abundantly clear.

U.S. Championship Open Challenge: John Cena vs. Dolph Ziggler

After having his chance to take on John Cena for the United States Championship last week, Dolph Ziggler answered the open challenge this week and gave the titleholder a tremendous fight.

The contest was wrestled cleanly for the early portion, with each man countering the other's signature-move set.

Ziggler's rake of the eyes and superkick not only showed that he was willing to do whatever it took to leave with the title, it also nearly netted him the victory. A headbutt and Zigzag scored him another near-fall.

Ultimately, though, it was an Attitude Adjustment that ended The Showoff's night on a sour note, as Cena successfully retained his title.

Result

John Cena defeated Dolph Ziggler.

Grade

A

Analysis

The United States Championship Open Challenge has been one of WWE Raw's few consistent bright spots throughout 2015, and Monday night's match was no exception.

Ziggler was motivated, and his in-ring chemistry with Cena was on full display Monday night. He may have lost, but the disappointment on his face suggested the issues between them may not end with a three-count.

If that is the case, fans should be in for a treat in the coming weeks, especially if they have the opportunity to improve on their showing this week with a pay-per-view bout at Hell in a Cell.

The Dudley Boyz vs. The Ascension

Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley will have the opportunity win tag team gold at Hell in a Cell, but Monday night, they continued to build momentum for themselves ahead of their big battle on October 25 by quickly dispatching of Konnor and Viktor of The Ascension.

Result

The Dudley Boyz defeated The Ascension.

Grade

D

Analysis

Remember that time The Ascension was added to Cosmic Wasteland, leaving the evil Stardust minions to do his dirty work?

Neither does WWE Creative, which remembers that booking decision only when it benefits the company.

This did nothing for either team.

The Dudley Boyz did not look any better than they have since returning, and The Ascension again finds itself stuck in limbo, directionless and alone.

Cesaro and Neville vs. King Barrett and Sheamus

Neville and King Barrett's rivalry continued, and this time, they brought Cesaro and Sheamus along for the ride, with a tag team match being the result.

The action broke down late, and it appeared as though the babyfaces were well on their way to victory.

Unfortunately for them, Sheamus kicked out of Neville's rollup attempt, sending him into the ropes. With Mr. Money in the Bank distracting the referee, Barrett delivered a huge Bull hammer to The Man That Gravity Forgot, allowing the Celtic Warrior to cover for the win.

Result

Sheamus and King Barrett defeated Neville and Cesaro.

Grade

C-

Analysis

WWE Creative's problem has never been more on display in a single match than this one. Four immensely talented workers were tossed together for a tag match that meant nothing and did zero to enhance Barrett and Neville's ongoing rivalry.

Worst of all, it was evidence of the complete misuse of both Cesaro and Sheamus, as both of them should mean so much more than they do. Instead, they are the "other guys" in a second-hour tag match that will be forgotten 10 minutes after its conclusion.

Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman

Roman Reigns cut a promo about the upcoming Hell in a Cell match against Bray Wyatt, warning him about trying to take his life and his future from him. Wyatt responded by telling the second-generation star that a massacre awaits him in two weeks.

Strowman made his way to the ring for the match.

The massive heavyweight punished Reigns, leaving his upper body in pain.

But the WrestleMania 31 main eventer clawed his way back into the bout, delivering a flying Superman Punch at ringside, knocking Strowman over the announce table and leading to a countout finish.

After the match, the big man threw a chair in anger, while Reigns delivered an open-hand shot to Wyatt's face, essentially punking him out ahead of Hell in a Cell.

Result

Roman Reigns defeated Braun Strowman by count-out. 

Grade

C-

Analysis

This was not particularly good. Strowman is still very raw in the ring, and Reigns is not someone to carry a much-lesser talented worker to a great match—at least not yet.

The finish was outstanding, though, with Reigns pulling out a visually stunning Superman punch and Strowman being protected with the count-out finish.

The cheap shot after the match made Reigns look like a coward more than anything, which is the exact opposite of what was intended.

Ryback vs. Rusev

Credit: WWE.com

Ryback and Rusev squared off in a battle of hosses Monday night, on the heels of the shocking revelation that The Bulgarian Brute had gotten engaged to Lana off-screen.

Perhaps Summer Rae's presence was weighing heavily on the former U.S. champion's mind, as he crashed into the corner and The Big Guy Shell Shocked him for the disappointing loss.

After the match, Summer Rae verbally berated her former beau, slapping him and calling him a bastard before stomping off, accomplishing her goal of exposing him for the "man" he is.

Result

Ryback defeated Rusev.

Grade

D

Analysis

Neither the match nor the angle was anything special, which is disappointing given the effort WWE Creative put into the storyline involving Rusev and Summer Rae.

With things unfolding in Rusev and Lana's personal life the way they have, the breakup had to be done. Unfortunately, the writers took the least interesting path, and the result was incredibly lackluster.

Kalisto vs. Kevin Owens

Credit: WWE.com

Intercontinental champion Kevin Owens learned that every Superstar, big or small, would target him now that he has gold around his waist.

Kalisto was simply the latest.

Despite the masked luchador's speed and striking ability, Owens used his strength and trademark powerbomb to put the former NXT tag team champion down for the count.

Result

Kevin Owens pinned Kalisto. 

Grade

C- 

Analysis

This was a squash match that only served to put over Owens in dominant fashion.

The potential for a much-better match exists, especially given what the competitors were able to accomplish in just three minutes. With that said, the match was a bit sloppy and disjointed, accomplishing little more than intended.

Becky Lynch and Charlotte vs. Brie Bella and Alicia Fox

Credit: WWE.com

Paige sat in on commentary, while the unending war between Divas fractions continued.

She would have an impact on the outcome, shoving Natalya at ringside, thus creating a distraction.

From there, Brie Bella would pin Charlotte to give Team Bella a victory.

Result

Brie Bella and Alicia Fox defeated Charlotte and Becky Lynch.

Grade

D-

Analysis

With only three minutes to work with, and attention paid more to Natalya and Paige at ringside, it was hard to invest any time or energy in what was unfolding inside the ring—and justifiably so.

This may have been the worst of the Divas Revolution matches to date, complete with a ridiculous finish that saw Brie, the background player, pin the Divas champion.

Team Bella stood tall Monday night, but should it have?

Lumberjack Match: Kane vs. Seth Rollins

Credit: WWE.com

The Demon continued to make life a living hell for Seth Rollins, the suitable replacement for the Director of Operations Kane, in a Lumberjack match main event.

Kane punished Rollins early, only to come face-to-face with Big Show and endure a Knockout Punch that helped the WWE world heavyweight champion take control of the bout.

Late, The New Day pulled Kane out of the ring and began punishing him. The heels entered the ring, and the beatdown ensued.

A brawl between the lumberjacks broke out, and Kane delivered chokeslams to Xavier Woods and Stardust. He then planted Rollins with the Tombstone Piledriver.

Three seconds later, The Demon had picked up an impressive pinfall victory.

Result

Kane defeated Seth Rollins.

Grade

D

Analysis

Do we really have to watch this match again at Hell in a Cell?

Kane and Rollins exhibited little in the way of in-ring chemistry. Couple that with the idiotic and unnecessary presence of the lumberjacks and the match's overbooked nature and you have a match that inspired little in the way of added excitement for their pay-per-view showdown.

The New Day was, for the second time Monday night, the clear bright spot in an otherwise dismal and uninspired main event segment.