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

Monday's WWE Raw became a tribute to Daniel Bryan as he officially stepped away from the ring.

The gut-punch that was hearing Bryan retire overshadowed a strong Raw. WWE did well to hook the audience early with teases of a Brock Lesnar-Dean Ambrose collision and a tables match. The show featured Sin Cara's return from injury and The Dudley Boyz's characters veering off in a new direction.

And Fastlane got a new match—Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks vs. Naomi and Tamina.

The night belonged to Bryan, though. His home state roared his name throughout Raw. WWE highlighted Bryan's biggest moment. He then said his goodbyes.

The following is a look at that farewell speech and everything else that transpired on Monday's Raw, complete with high points and letter grades.

Fastlane Triple Threat Contract Signing

A smirking Stephanie McMahon kicked off the show.

Dean Ambrose interrupted her, calling out Brock Lesnar. Roman Reigns and Lesnar soon followed him. 

After the wrestlers signed the contract, McMahon skirted out of the ring. That left Ambrose and Lesnar to engage in a tense faceoff. Chaos soon unfolded, and Lesnar laid out Ambrose.

Triple H emerged to stare down The Beast Incarnate.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"Daniel Bryan!" chants drown out McMahon.

"Paul, everybody knows what your name is."—McMahon.

Lesnar throws the table at Reigns. 

Grade

A-

Analysis

One of the better-timed contract segments in recent memory. It didn't drag out. The wrestlers all seemed intent on moving straight to the violence.

Placing it as the show's opener was a smart change-up, too.

This fearless version of Ambrose is fascinating. It felt like a circus worker putting his head into a lion's mouth when he stepped up to Lesnar. This is something WWE needs to play with more moving forward.

Kevin Owens vs. Dolph Ziggler

Kevin Owens steamrolled over Dolph Ziggler early. He battered him with strikes, flung from corner to corner and mocking him in between.

Ziggler fought back as the match become more of a back-and-forth battle. The rivals left each other wobbly, hitting their signature move.

The Showoff used the ring ropes to score the pinfall. As Ziggler exited, Owens threw a tantrum.

Result

Ziggler wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"Hey, Cole! Shut up!"—Owens to Michael Cole.

Both men roll out of the ring as Owens looked to break up a sleeper hold.

Ziggler hits a Famouser on the ring apron.

Grade

B+

Analysis

These two always have good chemistry. This was one of their better matches to date. The key component was Ziggler's underhanded win.

That's quite an interesting wrinkle. The audience now has to wonder if a heel turn is on the way—if Ziggler is going to start playing more of an anti-hero role or if he's just desperate for a victory at this point. Seeing what that moment meant makes their future clashes more intriguing.

Charlotte vs. Alicia Fox

Charlotte flustered Alicia Fox by outwrestling her in the early going. The Divas champ toyed with both the crowd and her opponent.

Fox responded with a flurry. Charlotte, though, locked her in the Figure Eight to end the bout. 

Result

Charlotte wins via submission.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"We want who?"—Charlotte in response to fans chanting for Lana.

Grade

C+

Analysis

While longer than several women's matches, this didn't go on long enough to draw fans in much.

It was clearly designed to get Charlotte momentum ahead of her title match with Brie Bella at Fastlane. This was a solid showcase in that respect.

The fact Fox isn't more prominent is hard to understand. When she was in her popcorn-throwing, soda-spraying faze, she was the highlight of the division. It's crowded now with a surplus of talent, but there's got to be more space at the table for an athlete of her caliber.

Miz TV/Highlight Reel

Credit: WWE.com

The Miz angrily recalled AJ Styles attacking him last week.

Chris Jericho cut his speech short, looking to hijack the segment. Crew members quickly changed the set to make it a Highlight Reel segment. The Miz then lost it, seething as Jericho joked around.

They both talked their issues with Styles. The Phenomenal One soon arrived.

The Miz attacked Jericho, Styles took out The Miz and Jericho then stared down the former TNA star. Styles and Jericho briefly brawled before the latter retreated.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"That was a tremendous introduction, except for the part where you forgot to mention my name or say anything entertaining whatsoever."—Jericho.

The Miz talks about his celebrity dental team. 

Grade

A

Analysis

WWE is going to have to eventually let Styles speak for himself, but for now, this method of letting him talk with his fists is working.

The Miz and Jericho worked up the crowd really well—a funny segment smoothly transitioned into more serious fare. The intensity between Jericho and Styles popped on the screen.

Y2J keeps teasing a darker version of himself. Each time he does, it's clear that's where he needs to be. Goofy Jericho isn't clicking. 

Ryback vs. Bray Wyatt

Credit: WWE.com

The new look Ryback marched into the ring with The Wyatt Family lurking.

Bray Wyatt made use of his posse's distraction to gain control. He pounded on Ryback, but The Big Guy proved resilient as he made a comeback.

Still, Wyatt hit Sister Abigail to keep him down. The Eater of Worlds ordered The Wyatt Family to attack Ryback. Braun Strowman threw him into the ring steps.

Wyatt then preached as Ryback lie motionless on the floor.

Result

Wyatt win via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"His heart still beats!"—Wyatt.

"And now your colossus lies before my feet, helpless."—Wyatt.

Grade

B-

Analysis

Not much to savor here in terms of ring action. The commercial break in between the bout lasted longer than the match itself.

Ryback continues to add flying moves to his arsenal. It's nice to throw those in, but he can't stray from his strength. He's at his best as a human freight train.

The post-match angle was more significant and more interesting than the actual contest. Again, The Wyatt Family devoured a powerhouse. Again, it looks like WWE is giving the group a legitimate push.

This is what this group should be. Let it tear down a series of heroes before one finally survives and fells the beasts.

Titus O'Neil vs. Adam Rose

Credit: WWE.com

Adam Rose slugged it out with Titus O'Neil early before grounding him a sleeper.

O'Neil soon took over. The powerhouse overwhelmed Rose and blasted through The Social Outcasts, too. Rose managed to roll up O'Neil, though. 

Result

Rose wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

Rose dubs himself "The Radical Mongoose."

Grade

C+

Analysis

Rose's surprise result and a surprisingly strong showing went against how WWE has booked The Social Outcasts thus far. It's a nice change of pace to get the group a win. Hopefully, this translates into a roll of some sort.

As for O'Neil, he showed a flash of rage after falling to Rose. That's something to tap into more, but it would make more sense in a more serious feud.

Dean Ambrose Calls out Brock Lesnar

Dean Ambrose marched to the ring and challenged Brock Lesnar. It took several tries, but he did goad The Beast Incarnate to come out to face him.

The Lunatic Fringe leaped at Lesnar, only to get taken to the floor in seconds. Lesnar clobbered Ambrose, but the intercontinental champion kept rising...kept fighting. Even after an F-5, Ambrose asked for more.

Roman Reigns came out, which distracted Lesnar, leaving him open for a low blow from Ambrose.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"I thought the F-5 was supposed to hurt. I thought the F-5 was supposed to keep me down."—Ambrose.

Grade

A

Analysis

Ambrose is absolutely compelling in this role. He looked like unhinged, courageous and Mick Foley-tough during this segment. Lesnar, meanwhile, played his usual destructive-force role to a tee.

Both men gathered momentum, and WWE continues to keep the focus off Reigns.

That makes it easier to buy an Ambrose or Lesnar win at Fastlane. And if both men lose that night, it's clear they could make a one-on-one feud between them a work of art.

The Lucha Dragons vs. Alberto Del Rio and Rusev

The returning Sin Cara had Rusev reeling before Alberto Del Rio attacked to derail his momentum. The League of Nations teammates then punished Sin Cara in their corner.

Kalisto eventually tagged in, going on an offensive tear. Del Rio withstood it, though. The heel hit the high-flyer with his diving double stomp for the three-count.

Result

Del Rio and Rusev win via pinfall. 

Memorable Moments and Quotes

Del Rio hits Kalisto in the back of the head with a step-up enzuigiri. 

"Goodbye, David. Goliath just won."—John "Bradshaw" Layfield.

Grade

C+

Analysis

Kalisto's contributions were electric, but he wasn't in there for long. It says a lot that on the night Sin Cara returns from injury, the key takeaway from the match is Del Rio put doubt in Kalisto's head about their match at Fastlane.  

That rivalry has little juice at this point, but this was a good way to advance things. It acted as a reminder that Del Rio is supposed to be the dominant one despite all the losses he suffered.

It's bizarre that WWE still hasn't acknowledged Wade Barrett is hurt, instead asking him to just kind of hang around and not take any bumps.

Becky Lynch vs. Tamina

Sasha Banks sat in on commentary as her former allies went to battle.

Tamina overpowered Becky Lynch early on, headbutting and hammering the smaller woman. Banks stood up to confront Tamina, but Naomi ambushed her. Lynch looked to help.

To close out all the chaos, Tamina superkicked Lynch out cold.

Result

Tamina win via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

Lynch hits Naomi with an exploder suplex on the outside.

Grade

B-

Analysis

It's great to see a story in the women's division other than the one centered on the championship. WWE is looking to make the most of Banks' exit from Team B.A.D., generating sympathy on her way out.

Naomi looked excellent as the vicious predator. That certainly needs to continue.

The bout served to build up Team B.A.D. as a threat, which is something WWE has neglected to do for a long time. This is only a single step, and there needs to be plenty more in the weeks to come to have the group's match with Lynch and Banks be the best it can be.

The New Day and Mark Henry vs. The Usos and The Dudley Boyz (Tables Match)

What was supposed to be a tag match turned into an eight-man affair after The Dudley Boyz wormed their way into the match. That gave The New Day a chance to show off their antics backstage as they tried to recruit a fourth tag team partner. 

The tag champs convinced Mark Henry to join them. 

The match began with expected chaos. The Usos and The Dudley Boyz ganged up on Henry. Henry abandoned The New Day after the trio issued too many orders.

The Dudley Boyz hit a Dudley Death Drop on Big E through a table for the win. The ECW stars weren't done. They turned on Jimmy and Jey, putting both brothers through tables.

Result

The Dudley Boyz and The Usos win via putting Big E through a table.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

Kington uses a level on a table while wearing glasses.

Big E introduces Henry as The World's Strongest Unicorn.

The Usos and The Dudley Boyz hit double Whassups.

The Usos both nail Kofi Kingston with a double superkick in midair. 

Grade

B

Analysis

While not a great, dramatic match by any stretch, it was still a fun clash. And just when The Usos and The New Day feud felt completely stagnant, a new narrative twist emerged.

It's not clear what inspired this betrayal, but it creates solid anticipation moving forward. As a bonus, Bubba Ray Dudley moves into a heel role—one where he was flourishing in at TNA.

Daniel Bryan Addresses the Fans

Daniel Bryan couldn't even make it into the ring before he started crying.

He basked in the audience's adoration for him before talking about his career. He talked about the number of concussions he has suffered over the years and how he resisted the idea of retiring. 

Bryan talked about his love of pro wrestling and the fans. He said he was grateful for his career and the people he has met.

Brie Bella came out to the ring to help him lead "Yes!" chants.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"I know. I know. I didn't want to shave my beard either."—Bryan to fans chanting "No!"

"I have loved this in a way that I have never loved anything else."—Bryan.

"That's what Brie says all the time."—Bryan to fans chanting "Yes!"

Grade

A+

Analysis

WWE showed major respect to Bryan by not only having him go on last and letting him speak well past Raw's scheduled time, but by also building the show around his exit. Clips aired all night of his memorable career. 

He then spoke from the heart. Bryan sounded at peace with retirement...well as much as he can in his situation.

After months and months of questions, fans finally got an answer to what was next for Bryan. He's really done. And that's a surreal, painful realization.