WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from November 2

Reestablishing Survivor Series as one of WWE's most important and prestigious events was the theme of Monday's Raw, with a huge elimination tag match booked for the main event and video packages inserted throughout to relay the show's history to the viewing audience.

In between, the company did a fine job of establishing the feud between Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins as the company's top story. It also furthered the Wyatt Family's war with The Brothers of Destruction, put emphasis on Tyler Breeze's intensifying vendetta with Dolph Ziggler, delivered a new No. 1 contender to the Divas title in Paige and continued building the Lucha Dragons into a top tandem in tag team wrestling.

But what worked, and what did not.

How did each match grade out, and who were the biggest benefactors of the booking decisions that unfolded Monday night?

Take a look for yourself with this analytical review of the November 2 episode of Raw.

Roman Reigns Promo

The new No. 1 contender to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship kicked off this week's broadcast and immediately addressed Seth Rollins.

They exchanged a few words before The Authority arrived. Stephanie McMahon announced that Reigns vs. Rollins will occur at the Survivor Series in two weeks.

Triple H took things one step further, revealing that both men will have the opportunity to choose their Survivor Series teams later Monday night for the night's main event.

Grade

C

Analysis

This was a short, sweet segment that got to the point and never overstayed its welcome.

In one brief promo, the Survivor Series main event and secondary main event were set up, with intrigue surrounding the teams' formation for the night's feature bout fueling the rest of the show.

Dolph Ziggler vs. Kevin Owens

The current intercontinental champion squared off with one of the most decorated champions of this generation when Kevin Owens battled Dolph Ziggler.

Ziggler sent Owens to the ringside area early, but the arrival of Tyler Breeze and Summer Rae provided just enough of a distraction for the IC champion to get back in the match.

Owens would finish Ziggler off with the Pop-up Powerbomb following a second distraction from Prince Pretty.

After the match, Breeze attempted to humiliate his rival with an in-ring selfie, but Ziggler fought back for a brief moment. The Beauty Shot left him lying in the ring once again as Breeze and Summer left the squared circle to a chorus of boos.

Result

Kevin Owens defeated Dolph Ziggler.

Grade

B+

Analysis

This was a great use of television in that it gave Owens a signature win over a big star in Ziggler and also put Breeze front and center.

The Breeze-Ziggler feud has been great for Prince Pretty, who has been presented incredibly strong since arriving on the main roster.

Ziggler showing some fight before falling prey to the Beauty Shot was a nice touch and helped him save face.

Cesaro vs. The Miz

In what was a largely random match with no real background or build to speak of, Cesaro battled The Miz in one-on-one competition.

The Swiss Superman was impressive as he trapped The Miz in the Cesaro Swing. From there, he finished off the former WWE champion with the Sharpshooter to score the tapout victory.

Result

Cesaro defeated The Miz via submission.

Grade

C-

Analysis

This was the epitome of a match for match's sake, though that could be changed should Roman Reigns approach Cesaro about appearing on his team later in the evening.

For the first time in weeks, the former U.S. champion was allowed to bask in the spotlight, being presented as the world-beater he should be.

Unfortunately, it came at the expense of The Miz who has lost absolutely all credibility.

Bray Wyatt Promo

Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, Erick Rowan and Braun Strowman hit the ring for a promo directed at Undertaker and Kane.

Wyatt discussed owning his captives' powers, summoning all of Hell's evil.

He then proceeded to set off Kane's corner pyro, simulate the thunder and lightning that accompanies Undertaker and ignite a fireworks display at the top of the entrance stage. 

All while on one knee, posing as if he was The Deadman.

Grade

D

Analysis

If you are a fan of D-level horror flicks, this worked for you. Otherwise, it was a cheesy and clunky way of demonstrating that Wyatt is the new face of fear, who is capable of matching supernatural powers with The Brothers of Destruction.

To some, this is exactly the type of different programming the company needs to freshen things up.

To this writer, though, it was a poor first attempt at creating buzz or intrigue in what is sure to be one of the Survivor Series pay-per-view's marquee matches.

For what he had to work with, though, Bray was his typically great self.

Lucha Dragons vs. King Barrett and Sheamus

The Lucha Dragons looked to continue their winning ways as they took to the squared circle Monday night. To do so, they would have to defeat Sheamus and King Barrett, a duo of two tough bruisers that could counter their speed and agility with sheer force.

Barrett and Sheamus wore down the opposition, grounding them and ensuring that their high-flying style would not be a factor in the bout.

They could not succeed long enough, though, and Kalisto exploded into the match.

He scored the victory with the Salida del Sol to Barrett.

Result

The Lucha Dragons defeated King Barrett and Sheamus.

Grade

B

Analysis

This was a huge upset, even though the Lucha Dragons had been positioned as a threat to the tag titles. Sheamus and Barrett are two of the higher-ranking midcard stars on the roster. To see them defeated cleanly in a tag bout, by a team whose never-ending feud with The Ascension has been a running joke on Superstars and Main Event, was a major surprise.

At the same time, it is a win of this caliber that instantly makes Sin Cara and Kalisto look like a force in the tag division.

Considering the roster's wealth of talent, a growing and expanding tag division, complete with hot babyfaces and quality heels, is exactly what the company needs.

R-Truth vs. Alberto Del Rio

R-Truth looked to cut off the momentum Alberto Del Rio built following his shocking and unexpected return a week ago.

He got off to a hot start, but a big sidekick to the face cut Truth off; it was all downhill from there for the popular undercard star.

Del Rio's corner double stomp earned him the victory. 

Result

Alberto Del Rio defeated R-Truth.

Grade

C- 

Analysis

This did nothing to spotlight Del Rio in any favorable light. In fact, after being made such a big deal of last week, it felt very much like the new United States champion has settled back into the midcard he was stuck in prior to his departure last year.

Of course, a match with R-Truth just after a backstage vignette involving Jack Swagger will only fuel that feeling.

Speaking of the encounter with Swagger backstage, it is about time WWE Creative brought him into the equation, especially given the connection he has with Zeb Colter. Having him as the babyface investigating the relationship between the two is a nice touch and a great way to use the underrated Swagger.

Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks vs. Paige vs. Brie Bella

The Divas Revolution continued in Denver as Brie Bella, Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks and Paige waged war over the opportunity to call themselves the top contender to Charlotte's WWE Divas Championship.

Spotlight shined brightly on each woman at different points in the bout, with Brie unleashing on her opponents with a flurry of kicks reminiscent of the ones her husband—Daniel Bryan—threw.

Lynch took over, delivering a series of suplexes, including a wicked one to Bella. She executed a Tower of Doom spot that had her in the driver's seat as the match was winding down.

Banks stalled Lynch's progression, applying the Bank Statement and nearly forcing the tapout. Unfortunately for the former NXT women's champion, the ever-attentive Paige tossed Banks out of the ring and delivered the Ram-Paige to Banks for the pinfall victory. 

Result

Paige defeated Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks and Brie Bella.

Grade

B+

Analysis

You know a match is hitting every mark in stride when even Brie Bella delivers a fantastic performance.

The WWE Divas worked damn hard, delivered a dramatic and action-packed match and had the fans in Denver on the edge of their seats. The chants of "this is awesome" were well-deserved as the four women involved finally got the opportunity to show management what they are capable of when given the time and the opportunity to tell a story or two. 

The match's greatest attribute was the way every Diva shined bright—none came out looking worse than they did going in, and Becky Lynch finally had the chance to prove why she was one of the hottest stars in the entire company prior to her call-up to the main roster.

Team Reigns vs. Team Rollins

Credit: WWE.com

Seth Rollins' partners had been determined over the course of the broadcast, with Kevin Owens and The New Day agreeing to join the WWE world heavyweight champion in the main event. What was not known was who Roman Reigns would get to back him up.

Fans found out as Dean Ambrose and Ryback emerged, followed by the returning Usos. 

The New Day's Xavier Woods—the recipient of the Usos' big splash—was eliminated first. Kofi Kingston followed his teammate shortly thereafter, succumbing to the same finisher.

Then it was time for Team Rollins to even things up a bit. Big E crotched Jey Uso and delivered the Big Ending to eliminate the returning former tag champion. From there, Owens sent the other Uso packing with the Pop-up Powerbomb.

Ryback delivered Shell Shocked to Big E, eliminating him, and Rollins sent The Big Guy to the showers with the Pedigree.

Ambrose's Dirty Deeds put Owens down, while Rollins' chair shot to Ambrose drew the disqualification.

Reigns delivered a Superman punch that sent Rollins scurrying to end the show.

Result

Team Reigns defeated Team Rollins.

Grade

B+

Analysis

This was a wildly fun main event in the same vein as the great Survivor Series bouts that have made that show one of WWE's premiere events.

It was interesting to see The Usos eliminated as early as they were, especially since they had just returned. At the same time, WWE has a clear hierarchy, and tag teams simply are not as valued as singles stars, as evidenced by Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods having been defeated early.

The disqualification finish was fine because it allowed Rollins to save face, but if the intent was never to determine a decisive winner, perhaps less time should have been devoted to the bout.

Whatever the case may be, this bout and the video packages that aired throughout the show did a fantastic job of selling Survivor Series as an important pay-per-view. WWE certainly deserves credit for that.