WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from June 6

Just about every story progressed on Monday's WWE Raw, but it was mostly incremental progress, not the momentous kind.

As WWE pushed closer to the Money in the Bank pay-per-view, The New Day clashed with The Club, all the ladder-match combatants butted heads, and AJ Styles stepped up to John Cena. Each time out, these feuds turned the dial up on the animosity, just not by a whole lot. 

With building anticipation in mind, Styles and Cena mostly did their jabbing verbally. And Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins didn't even appear in the same building.

It was the kind of night that felt like a lead-in to a bigger Raw down the road. Still, Teddy Long made a surprise return, and WWE announced The New Day will defend the tag titles against The Club, The Vaudevillains and Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady at Money in the Bank.

How entertaining and productive were Raw's matches and segments? How much did Money in the Bank's feuds get a boost? The following is a look at those questions and more as we break down what went wrong and what went right on Monday's show.

Money in the Bank Ladder Match Field Confrontation

The five entrants in the Money in the Bank ladder match (Kevin Owens, Chris Jericho, Sami Zayn, Cesaro, Alberto Del Rio and Dean Ambrose) all stood atop ladders as Lilian Garcia introduced them.

Owens and company bickered. They talked about what their reigns would be like if they won the world championship. Ambrose punched Jericho off his ladder before a brawl broke out.

Teddy Long emerged, saying he wanted to run SmackDown when it goes live in July. Stephanie McMahon cut him off, telling Long to take a hike before booking matches for later in the night: Zayn vs. Del Rio, Ambrose vs. Owens and Jericho vs. Cesaro.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"Everyone knows who we are. We're all big stars. Except for Sami Zayn, of course."—Owens.

Owens says he would take on Waylon Mercy or The Nation of Domination when he becomes champion.

"I'll fight a polar bear. I'll fight the mole men."—Ambrose.

The fans chant Long's name.

"Don't play his music."—McMahon.

Grade

D+

Analysis

Some fun dialogue clashed with an absurd, awkward setup. There is no good reason why these men would be standing on ladders at the same time like they were a part of a musical.

That banter turned from witty to silly in a hurry. And Long's return was hard to celebrate. He was clearly there only to plug SmackDown going live.

Long's original idea of cramming everyone into a single matchup was more enticing than what McMahon went with instead. A trio of singles matches with no clear stakes is not exactly the way for viewers to stick around, especially since we've seen Ambrose and Owens go at it several times over.

Chris Jericho vs. Cesaro

Cesaro outwrestled Chris Jericho in the early going. The powerhouse maintained his advantage when the match turned into more of a brawl, too.

Uppercuts had Jericho reeling. And even though Y2J managed to nail The King of Swing with his finisher, Cesaro maintained control.  

A Sharpshooter put Jericho away, leaving Cesaro to celebrate in the ring.

Result

Cesaro wins via submission.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

Cesaro snatches Jericho in mid-run and delivers a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. 

Fans chant "Stupid idiot!" at Jericho.

Jericho counters a springboard uppercut with a Codebreaker.

Cesaro counters a slingshot with the Cesaro Swing.

Grade

C-

Analysis

A sluggish, offbeat bout was not the kind of match we are used to seeing from either man. Jericho has been slower during this latest run, but he was especially so here.

Poor chemistry hurt the action, too.

Giving Cesaro the win makes sense. His Money in the Bank foes have been more of the focus of the story so far. Knocking off Jericho gives him some momentum and helps signal he's a contender in the upcoming clash.

It was just painful getting to that point.

Rusev vs. Jack Swagger

With Titus O'Neil sitting in on commentary, Jack Swagger took on the United States champ.

Rusev continued his dominant ways, bashing Swagger with a barrage of strikes. The All-American American fought back with some power moves, but wasn't able to follow with the ankle lock. The two men then collided outside the ring.

After shoving Swagger into O'Neil, Rusev slid back into the ring to avoid getting counted out. The babyfaces joined forces to chase the heel from the ring. 

Result

Rusev wins via count-out.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

Swagger gets a solid pop from his hometown Oklahoma crowd.

"They call him the Super Athlete. I wouldn't say all that."—O'Neil. 

Rusev and Swagger hit nasty clotheslines on each other at the same time.

Grade

B-

Analysis

There has to be someone on the roster who can play Rusev's prey other than Swagger. That's a match WWE has gone too far with too often.

Rusev looked good again here, adding the cowardly move of taking a count-out win to his repertoire. He is looking every bit like a champion heel. O'Neil's ability to step up in this feud is the biggest question mark.

His commentary was underwhelming. And he hasn't been especially compelling during this storyline as of yet.

John Cena and AJ Styles Face Off

John Cena talked up his confrontation last week with AJ Styles. He remarked how the crowd chanted for Styles and how special that moment was, comparing it to his showdowns with The Rock. He demanded Styles explain himself.

The Club answered the call.

The Phenomenal One said he was the better wrestler, and he would run circles around him. Cena dismissed his insults and recalled Styles' failures.

Styles, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson surrounded Cena, but The New Day came out to aid the 15-time world champ.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"What he had, that was a moment that happens once in a generation."—Cena.

Styles mocks Cena's "You can't see me!" taunt.

"Your jokes are as outdated as my jorts."—Cena to Styles.

"Guys like you bury guys like me."—Styles to Cena.

Grade

A

Analysis

With more of the Doctor of Thuganomics act seeping into his character, Cena delivered a fiery, emotional promo. Styles responded with an intense speech of his own.

The animosity between each rival was clear. They did well to blend in reality to the narrative, especially talk of Cena burying folks—a common claim by fans. 

WWE was smart to hold off on more violence between them. This kind of tense showdown is the better way to build anticipation moving forward, as the two enemies reveal their mindsets and motivations.

This is poised to outshine Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns at Money in the Bank.

The Vaudevillains vs. Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady

Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady fired trash talk at The Vaudevillains before stepping into the ring. 

Simon Gotch and Aiden English zeroed in on Amore first. English tossed Amore out of the ring with the same move that left him concussed at Payback. That caused Big Cass to snap, stomping English until the referee called for the bell.

Cassady continued the beatdown after the bell.

Result

The Vaudevillains win via disqualification.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"I done wrestled alligators, tussled with whales, handcuffed lightning, thrown thunder in jail."—Amore quoting Muhammad Ali.

"I got a chin like Ali, and my jaw is so strong I can blow a bubble with a Now & Later."—Amore.

Grade

B-

Analysis

WWE is being heavy-handed with this concussion angle. It makes sense to try and get heat for The Vaudevillains with that real-life injury, but the company has to go deeper than that. Give us a better sense of who Gotch and English are, and what they are after. 

That being said, a vengeful Cassady was a compelling sight. Playing up his protective instincts is a wise move.

Just make sure to keep his talking to a minimum. Amore is so far ahead of his ally in that capacity that Cass really only needs to deliver the "S-A-W-F-T!" 

Alberto Del Rio vs. Sami Zayn

It took just moments before the action spilled out of the ring; Sami Zayn and Alberto Del Rio brawled at ringside.

A back-and-forth match saw Del Rio superkick Zayn woozy and Zayn offer counter after counter to the Mexican's offense. Zayn fought off the heel in a valiant effort, but ultimately fell to Del Rio's double foot stomp.

Result

Del Rio wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

Del Rio hits a running enzuigiri to the back of Zayn's head.

Del Rio smashes Zayn's head into the ring post.

Grade

B

Analysis

Unlike Chris Jericho and Cesaro, these opponents clicked against each other. Solid chemistry and some fun counters made for a good matchup.

Add the quality of the banter between Zayn and Del Rio and WWE would be smart to have this rivalry continue after Money in the Bank is over.

WWE having Zayn lose again was surprising. It's clear it wants to play up his underdog status, but we need to see more images of him being successful to believe he has a shot in the huge ladder match on the way.

Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns' History Revisited

WWE aired a video package recapping Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns' rivalry.

Some of it was pulled from the WWE 24 special on Rollins. Clips of Rollins explaining his mindset, talking about seeking the world title, also comprised the package.

Reigns' perspective aired later in the show, chronicling his rise to the world championship.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"Who's to say that moment was mine to begin with?"—Rollins on cashing in his Money in the Bank contract at WrestleMania 31.

"He's just a placeholder; he's not a real champion."—Rollins.

"If you asked him, he thinks he created Pop-Tarts...he created sliced bread. He thinks he's the smartest guy on Earth."—Reigns.

"Sometimes anger is the best motivator a man can have."—Reigns.

Grade

A-

Analysis

The excellent recap did well to remind fans of the history between these two men. It reopened the wounds that have been closed over time.

Reigns and Rollins' dynamic felt more complex after this aired, being one of love and hate, respect and animosity. WWE's storytelling is strongest in these kind of packages.

The biggest issue with the two sets of clips was that Rollins came off as too inspirational and generated too much pathos for the villain. WWE made it hard to root against him by showing off his drive and passion. This all only makes sense if a double turn is in the works.

Kevin Owens vs. Dean Ambrose

The familiar rivals slugged it out, with Kevin Owens and Dean Ambrose trading big blows early.

Momentum shifted often. Ambrose hit a superplex; Owens soon responded with a German suplex. The heel went for his trademark powerbomb, but Ambrose caught him with Dirty Deeds instead.

The Lunatic Fringe then pulled out a ladder to grab the Money in the Bank briefcase. Owens quickly pushed his rival to the canvas. 

Result

Ambrose wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

Ambrose prevents an Owens cannonball with a thunderous clothesline.

Owens catches Ambrose during a suicide dive and rams him into the ring apron.

"That is mine!"—Owens pointing at the Money in the Bank briefcase.

Grade

B

Analysis

John "Bradshaw" Layfield did a good job of portraying Ambrose as the man who has been inches away from the big prize time and time again. WWE needs to play up this angle more. If he's going to lose all the time in the marquee matches, the company can at least use that to deepen Ambrose's character.

This was a surprisingly short bout with Ambrose going over in decisive fashion. WWE did well to balance that out by having Owens go on a rampage post-match.

Charlotte Looks to Explain Her Actions

David Banks/Getty Images

Charlotte apologized for berating her father, but said she needed to say what she said. As the women's champion, she doesn't want to share the spotlight, she explained.

Natalya and Becky Lynch interrupted. The babyfaces questioned the champ's character. 

Charlotte told them Dana Brooke was her protege, but the newcomer from NXT looked suspicious. She stepped away from Charlotte, but only to sucker in Lynch and Natalya. 

Brooke and Charlotte attacked Lynch and Charlotte. 

Memorable Moments and Quotes

Charlotte calls the Harts the "biggest trainwreck" in the WWE.

Grade

C+

Analysis

Charlotte offering an apology, even just a partial one, softened the impact of her verbal attack on her father. Why not just keep her angry and heartless toward her father?

It was a good move to have Charlotte explain her relationship with Brooke, adding some clarity to that situation.

There was no shortage of bad blood here, with the babyfaces being logical about their distrust and dislike of the champion. This rivalry has potential, but the stakes won't be very high with the title seemingly not at the center of it.

Tyler Breeze vs. R-Truth

Credit: WWE.com

Backstage, Tyler Breeze shaved Fandango's back.

In the ring, the match only lasted seconds. Goldust and Fandango's brawl bled into the official action, leading the referee to ring the bell.

Teddy Long tried to restart the match as a tag bout, but security escorted him out. Stephanie McMahon trampled over him on the way out, calling him stupid and old. 

Result

Match ends in a no-contest.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"Maybe they're just an awful tag team."—John "Bradshaw" Layfield.

Grade

D

Analysis

Breezango's matching vests were the best part of this segment. The chemistry between the partners is strong, but WWE is only showing it in the shortest of bursts. 

With such little time to work with, Breeze and Fandango are only gaining momentum in tiny increments.

McMahon got the bigger spotlight here. After playing the diplomatic, peace-loving partner over the last few weeks, she got back to harping on folks. It's looking increasingly clear that a war between the McMahons is around the corner.

The New Day vs. The Club

Credit: WWE.com

The New Day mocked The Club before a skirmish broke out all over the ring. 

Xavier Woods had AJ Styles on the ropes, but The Club pounced on him, leaving him wincing at ringside. Woods had to go back to the locker room, leaving Kofi Kingston and Big E forced to face Styles, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows on their own.

The numbers disadvantage had Big E struggling, trapped in the enemy's corner for too long. And while the tag champs fought back, Styles eventually put Kingston away with a Phenomenal Forearm.

John Cena dashed out to prevent a post-match beating, but he ended up getting tagged by Styles. That opened the door for the babyfaces to fight off Styles and company.

Result

The Club wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"The two of you are so unbelievably bald."—Kingston.

Styles hits a Styles Clash on Woods outside the ring.

Grade

A-

Analysis

The main event delivered the blend of comedy and intensity this feud needs. The New Day was angry and focused, facing a set of rivals who can clearly hang with the trio. As a bonus, the placement of this match helps the prestige of the tag team titles.

The image of Styles smashing Woods on the floor boosts his momentum as a heel. We need to see more of this kind of merciless behavior from him and his crew.

The match itself felt good, but WWE clearly wants to hold back with these teams until they meet on pay-per-view. Judging by the chemistry on display at the close of Monday's Raw, the climax of this rivalry is going to be a thrill ride.