WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from May 23

Just 24 hours after an Extreme Rules pay-per-view in which Roman Reigns successfully retained his WWE World Heavyweight Championship over AJ Styles, only to have the returning Seth Rollins attack him, Raw hit the USA Network airwaves for its May 23 episode.

Also at the event, Dean Ambrose defeated Chris Jericho in an underwhelming Asylum match, The Miz successfully retained his Intercontinental Championship and Rusev regained the United States Championship.

All those Superstars figured to play a major role in Monday's show. How they did, and whether their next major feuds would be presented, were the biggest questions of the evening.

With Shane and Stephanie McMahon running things, the show promised to be an entertaining one that began planting the seeds for Money in the Bank in four weeks.

What would the fallout from Sunday's pay-per-view extravaganza be when the company arrived in Baltimore for this week's flagship show?

Seth Rollins Promo

Seth Rollins kicked off the show, 24 hours removed from his much-anticipated return at Extreme Rules.

He wasted little time trying to establish himself as a heel, despite a raucous ovation for The Architect as he made his entrance. He said he burned all fan mail because he does not need the audience. He also stated his knee buckled from carrying the company on his back.

WWE world heavyweight champion Roman Reigns interrupted, to a chorus of boos.

Before anything could happen between the former partners, Shane McMahon arrived and announced Reigns vs. Rollins for the title at Money in the Bank, despite the match having "WrestleMania main event" written all over it.

Grade

B-

Analysis

WWE Creative went the predictable route, trying desperately to confirm Rollins' status as the heel in the storyline, despite a humongous ovation for the former champion. That Reigns was once again booed out of the building is only proof it's the wrong decision.

The promo was, otherwise, a fairly straightforward one that announced the Money in the Bank main event and gave fans a high-profile bout to look forward to.

Money in the Bank Qualifier: Sami Zayn vs. Sheamus

The first of the Money in the Bank qualifiers pitted former briefcase winner Sheamus against Sami Zayn in singles competition.

Sheamus controlled the majority of the match, cutting his opponent off at seemingly every turn. In fact, it was not until very late in the bout that the Underdog From The Underground was able to catch The Celtic Warrior with a Helluva Kick to score the upset victory.

Result

Sami Zayn defeated Sheamus.

Grade

C+

Analysis

A solid match that felt like it could have been so much better, the first qualifier at least got the outcome correct. Zayn is so hot, especially on the heels of Sunday's show-stealing bout, it would have been a mistake not to book him to go over here.

The most curious situation was why Michael Cole, JBL and Byron Saxton put the win over as such an upset. Sure, Sheamus is a former world champion, but he has been irrelevant for well over a month, while Zayn has regularly mixed it up with the industry's top stars.

To portray him in that light, even if it fits the tone of his character, was interesting to say the least.

The New Day vs. The Social Outcasts

The New Day celebrated Raw's 1,200th episode with a cake, only to have the festivities cut off, courtesy of The Social Outcasts' sneak attack.

Heath Slater, Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas proved no match for the WWE world tag team champions, succumbing to the Big Ending.

After the match, the babyfaces rammed Slater's face into the cake.

Result

The New Day defeated The Social Outcasts.

Grade

D+

Analysis

This matched only served as a way to get The New Day on television, and in that regard, it succeeded. Otherwise, it was a complete throwaway segment kids may have liked, but, ultimately, it only further established The Social Outcasts as an enhancement act now missing its (Adam) Rose.

Money in the Bank Qualifier: Cesaro vs. The Miz

Fresh off a successful title defense at Extreme Rules, intercontinental champion The Miz battled the man he pinned at the extravaganza, Cesaro, in a Money in the Bank qualifier.

He would not have the success Monday that he had 24 hours earlier.

The champion worked over Cesaro's shoulder for the majority of the match, but the Swiss Superman fought back, attempting his signature Cesaro Swing. The shoulder pain, though, was too much and prevented him from fully executing the maneuver.

The Miz tried to come off the top rope, but a big uppercut greeted him. Moments later, the Neutralizer finished him off, allowing Cesaro to avenge his pay-per-view defeat. 

Result

Cesaro defeated The Miz.

Grade

C-

Analysis

A somewhat-apathetic crowd and a significant step down from the previous night's match led to a major disappointment here.

Cesaro looked great, as he has since returning from his injury, and The Miz was his typical solid self. However, there was something lacking that prevented this match from achieving the quality level fans would expect from the Superstars involved.

The right Superstar went over and the announcement later in the show that Cesaro will now challenge The Miz for the IC title on SmackDown was a suitable follow-up.

Money in the Bank Qualifier: Apollo Crews vs. Chris Jericho

Despite suffering a sneak attack at the hands of Sheamus, Apollo Crews hit the ring for his first opportunity to compete in Money in the Bank. To do so, he would have to defeat future Hall of Famer Chris Jericho, who was coming off a vicious and violent Asylum match.

Crews showed great resilience, and his trademark athleticism, but it was not enough to overcome a determined Jericho.

The NXT export survived the Walls of Jericho, but the Codebreaker proved his downfall after nearly eight minutes of action.

Result

Chris Jericho defeated Apollo Crews.

Grade

C

Analysis

While it would have been nice to see what Crews could do in the Money in the Bank match, the right Superstar went over here, especially if the point was to ignite a rivalry between the young star and Sheamus. After all, how inconsequential would the Celtic Warrior have looked if Crews withstood his attack to win this match?

Jericho will be the veteran of the Money in the Bank match—a Superstar who can hold the match together while implementing storytelling in a match destined to be a spotfest. It's a solid and valuable addition.

Big Cass vs. Bubba Ray Dudley

Enzo Amore made his anticipated return to Raw, just weeks after suffering a scary concussion to kick off the Payback pay-per-view. He accompanied Big Cass to the squared circle for the seven-foot tall Superstar's match with Bubba Ray Dudley, ensuring the vendetta between the teams continues.

Cass dominated Bubba, gorilla-pressing him off the top rope and to the mat despite an early match distraction after D-Von attacked Enzo.

The Empire Elbow finished as Big Cass continued his impressive roll.

Result

Big Cass defeated Bubba Ray Dudley.

Grade

D-

Analysis

The Dudley Boyz can come back to put young talent over all they want, but sooner or later, it stops meaning anything when they lose every match they compete in. Credibility is nonexistent at this point, as constant defeats have devalued the future Hall of Famers beyond belief.

Big Cass has been on an impressive roll as of late, but his singles career will be overshadowed shortly by the return of his much more charismatic partner, whose return generated a big pop from the fans in Baltimore.

Charlotte Promo

Credit: WWE.com

On the heels of another successful WWE Women's Championship defense at Extreme Rules, Charlotte made her way to the ring, flanked by Dana Brooke and her father Ric Flair.

Her arrogance at its peak, she verbally undressed The Nature Boy, berating and disrespecting him in front of a worldwide viewing audience. She took credit for her own success, claiming her star burns brighter than his ever did. She mocked his crying and ordered Flair out of the ring.

"To these people, you're immortal," she said before saying he is dead to her.

Flair made the long, agonizing walk up the ramp to end the segment.

Grade

C+

Analysis

This had to happen sooner or later, but this did not feel like the right time. It made little sense within the context of the story that has been told over the last nine months. Charlotte's entire character has been predicated on the idea she is Flair's daughter. As late as two weeks ago, they were as happy as could be and suddenly, Charlotte drops her dad like a piece of garbage?

It did not follow the narrative.

That there was no valid reason given for Dana Brooke's involvement at Extreme Rules was only further dumbfounding.

The only reason this grades as high as it does is the fact Charlotte was excellent on the mic, rebounding from an early stumble by straying off script and falling into the trap of "what?" chants and ending on a high note.

Money in the Bank Qualifier: Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler

Two babyfaces squared off in the penultimate Money in the Bank qualifier of the night as Dean Ambrose and Dolph Ziggler waged war.

Neither man grabbed a distinct advantage throughout the course of the match, as one would expect from two Superstars who do their best work while selling the offense of their opponents.

Despite Ziggler's superkick that threatened to end Ambrose's night early, The Lunatic Fringe bounced back and scored the victory off Dirty Deeds.

Result

Dean Ambrose defeated Dolph Ziggler.

Grade

C

Analysis

It is always interesting to watch two babyfaces work a match against each other, especially when they are both best suited to playing the role of resilient underdog.

Ziggler losing was a given, even if he thrives in ladder matches. This was Ambrose's to win, if only because of WWE Creative's persistent stubbornness when it comes to forcing his feud with Jericho, which looks to continue based on their inclusion in the upcoming Money in the Bank bout.

Money in the Bank Qualifier: AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens

Credit: WWE.com

On the heels of a physically taxing Extreme Rules main event, AJ Styles looked to earn himself a Money in the Bank match spot. To do so, he would have to defeat a determined Kevin Owens.

That proved easier said than done.

Prior to the match, Styles stated The Usos', Karl Anderson's and Luke Gallows' interference cost him the opportunity to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, to which his former Bullet Club brothers took exception to.

A verbal spar ended with Anderson and Gallows disassociating themselves from Styles, leaving him on his own to battle K.O.

Styles controlled the match heading into the final break of the evening, ramming Owens into the steel steps and rolling him back into the squared circle. Owens, however, used those same stairs to wear down his opponent, powerbombing Styles back-first into them as he continued working over the part of the body most damaged by The Phenomenal One's match with Roman Reigns a night earlier.

An attempt at the Phenomenal Forearm proved Styles' undoing as Owens kicked the rope, knocking Styles to the floor below. The Pop-up Powerbomb followed, and Owens scored the decisive and clean victory. 

Result

Kevin Owens defeated AJ Styles.

Grade

B-

Analysis

This was a really strong main event. Styles and Owens seem incapable of having a bad match against each other, and this was no exception. Owens working over his opponent's back was a nice bit of continuity after Sunday's main event and really created doubt as to whether Styles could come back and win.

He could not, and therein lies what was so effective here. Sometimes, the good guy simply does not win. His body gave out on him, and Styles was forced to endure another loss. How he reacts to his sudden streak of bad luck and defeat will fuel his story in the coming weeks.

As for Owens, WWE's most valuable villain continues to prove why he is one of the most engaging performers on the roster and why he now has the opportunity to win Money in the Bank in a match where he figures to be one of the favorites.

The split between Styles and The Club figures to play a major role in the coming weeks, particularly when it comes to Finn Balor's potential main roster call-up and a high-profile storyline that will carry over into the summer months as WWE continues its New Era initiative.