WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from June 20

On the heels of a historic Money in the Bank event that saw the WWE World Heavyweight Championship change hands twice in less than five minutes, Raw hit the USA Network airwaves for its June 20 episode.

Just moments after Seth Rollins defeated Roman Reigns to capture the industry's top prize, Dean Ambrose cashed in his guaranteed championship contract and won the title for the first time.
What would the first Raw under The Lunatic Fringe's rule have in store for him and his former Shield brethren?

Kevin Owens, Chris Jericho, Cesaro, Alberto Del Rio and Sami Zayn all failed in their quest to win the briefcase. What, if any, interaction would they have just 24 hours after the chaotic ladder match?

The announcement of the first WWE draft in nearly seven years has fans guessing which Superstars will end up as the exclusive property of either Raw or SmackDown. Would the WWE Universe find out more about the upcoming event?

These are all questions that were answered on Monday night as WWE delivered a red-hot broadcast on 2016's first night of summer.

WWE World Champion Dean Ambrose Kicks Off the Show

Dean Ambrose kicked off his first night as champion, drawing a huge pop from the fans in Phoenix.

Before he could say much of substance, Roman Reigns interrupted, followed by Seth Rollins. Both former champions staked their claims to rematches before Shane McMahon made his presence felt.

Despite Rollins' protests, he booked The Architect against The Big Dog for the night's main event.

Grade

B-

Analysis

This was a solid opening segment to kick off the Ambrose reign. Not only was his character on display from the top of the show, but the entire promo also furthered the ongoing issues between all three of the former Shield members.

Of great interest was Reigns' flirtation with heeldom—the second such hint in the last 24 hours.

Rollins still tried his best to get over as the villain in the ordeal, but judging by the audience's reaction, Reigns remains the most hated of the three.

Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens

The years-long rivalry between Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens was rekindled on Monday night as they squared off in one-on-one action, with the former looking for that elusive win over his former friend.

Zayn delivered a big moonsault off the guardrail early, knocking Owens down. He maintained control, tossing Owens back to ringside as the show went to commercial.

Owens seized control coming out of the break and even delivered a stunning superkick that nearly secured him the win. In the end, though, his win streak against The Underdog from the Underground came to an end as Zayn picked up the victory.

After the match, KO attempted a powerbomb on the stage, but Zayn countered and pummeled his rival before being pulled off by officials.

Result

Sami Zayn defeated Kevin Owens.

Grade

B+

Analysis

The match did not compare to the previous ones between the Superstars, but it was never really designed to. Instead, it was meant to reintroduce fans to the program, which looks destined to wrap up at Battleground in July.

Not only did the two brawl after the match, but their intense confrontation also continued backstage, where officials again had to separate them.

After the numerous classics they have had in the past, is anyone really against another Owens-Zayn match?

I didn't think so.

Enzo Amore & Big Cass vs. The Vaudevillains

People Power returned to Raw on Monday night as John Laurinaitis threw out his name in consideration for SmackDown general manager. Enzo Amore and Big Cass interrupted, and Shane McMahon danced a bit with Enzo before the popular tag team cut one of its trademark promos.

In a rematch of the Payback match that resulted in Amore's trip to the emergency room, he and Big Cass battled The Vaudevillains—Simon Gotch and Aiden English.

The determined tandem, who failed in their latest attempt at capturing the tag titles on Sunday night, tore through their rivals and scored the win with the Rocket Launcher.

Result

Enzo Amore and Big Cass defeated The Vaudevillains.

Grade

C-

Analysis

Enzo and Big Cass are an engaging and wildly popular duo, but they feel somewhat stagnant at this point. They debuted the night after WrestleMania, and even taking into account the injury Amore suffered, there is a sense they have neither advanced nor descended up or down the card.

At some point, WWE Creative has to pull the proverbial trigger on the team and capitalize on its incredible popularity. As it stands now, it is rolling, but there is no endgame in sight thanks to The New Day's status as lead babyfaces in the tag division.

AJ Styles Addresses His Win over John Cena

Just 24 hours after a defining victory over John Cena at Money in the Bank, AJ Styles should have been in a celebratory mood. Instead, he was fuming, feeling disrespected by his Club teammates Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows after their interference in the heavily hyped bout.

He forced the two to come to the ring and apologize to him. From there, he suggested they apologize to Cena, which they took exception to. The franchise star appeared and did not seem to buy the story Styles was spinning.

Eventually, Styles offered Cena a match against any member of The Club...except himself.

Cena did not care whom he had to wrestle. Styles responded by offering up Anderson.

Grade

 C-

Analysis

This was a bit of a letdown after Sunday's outstanding match. Styles did a great job flirting with the line between insincerity and truth, coming across unbelievable in his assertion he had no idea his teammates would get involved in the match at Money in the Bank.

At the same time, Cena came across as completely childish, complaining that Styles broke the contract they had despite working in an industry notorious for lies and rule-breaking.

As a guy who had been a franchise star for over a decade, one would assume he would be very familiar with those elements of the business.

John Cena vs. Karl Anderson

The match was little more than an excuse for Cena to run through one of The Club members.

He delivered the Five Knuckle Shuffle and was well on his way to victory when Styles and Gallows attacked him.

The heel faction beat Cena down and left him lying there courtesy of The Styles Clash to end the segment.

Result

John Cena defeated Karl Anderson via disqualification.

Grade

D

Analysis

The disappointing follow-up to Cena-Styles continued here with a generic match capped off by an even more generic beatdown. All it accomplished was providing a reason for Cena to be even angrier with The Club— something that was already established by its involvement in the previous night's defeat.

A really poor follow-up after weeks of compelling build.

Zack Ryder vs. Baron Corbin

Following a victory over Dolph Ziggler at Money in the Bank, Baron Corbin battled The Showoff's best friend and former rival—Zack Ryder.

Showing the same dominance he did as he rose to prominence in NXT, Corbin wore down Long Island Iced Z. The longtime cult favorite fought back, delivering a dropkick from the ring apron to the arena floor to set up a top-rope elbow. He was unsuccessful in finishing off Corbin, though, and it cost him.

The former Arizona Cardinal regained control and finished Ryder with End of Days for the pinfall victory. 

Result

Baron Corbin defeated Zack Ryder.

Grade

C-

Analysis

This served as a wildly unimpressive follow-up to Corbin's victory over Ziggler. In what should have been a squash match the likes of which he perfected in NXT, Corbin gave too much to Ryder here. He should have bowled over him, but instead, the former intercontinental champion looked every bit his equal.

Even more so than Apollo Crews, Corbin feels like the Superstar most let down upon his arrival—especially after being given such a strong push starting at WrestleMania.

The impending brand split will do him wonders in that it will allow him to elevate up the card without the logjam of heels in front of him.

Women's Championship Match: Paige vs. Charlotte

Following Paige's upset victory over Charlotte last week, the Anti-Diva received a Women's Championship opportunity against the second-generation star.

Charlotte controlled the early portion of the match, even stopping mid-attack to taunt her opponent. She countered a superplex attempt later in the bout, dropping Paige to the mat and delivering a picture-perfect moonsault.

Paige mounted a comeback, but Dana Brooke's late-match distraction presented just enough of a distraction for Charlotte to deliver Natural Selection for the pinfall victory.

After the match, the heels cleared Paige from the ring only to have the returning Sasha Banks cut off their celebration. The Boss flattened Brooke with a forearm and then delivered the first half of The Bank Statement only to have Brooke attack her from behind.

Paige cut the NXT export off and posed with Banks to close out the segment.

Result

Charlotte defeated Paige.

Grade

B-

Analysis

The match itself was solid. Paige has been irrelevant for so long, it is easy to forget just how talented she is between the ropes. She and Charlotte demonstrated some quality chemistry fans have not witnessed since late in 2015.

The right woman went over, which calls to attention the way she won.

Anyone who thought Ric Flair's dismissal would allow Charlotte to pick up wins more convincingly was sadly mistaken. Dana Brooke is a younger, female version of "Naitch" in that she provides the same tired distractions that lead to Charlotte's wins.

It is a tired formula that overstayed its welcome a long time ago.

Banks' return was long overdue. Her entrance got a huge ovation, as did her forearm shiver to Brooke. The Boss has such a presence and charisma about her, it is impossible not to be excited about her return to the division.

After months of stale matches between Charlotte and Natalya, her return to the scene rejuvenates a division badly in need of it.

The Wyatt Family Returns

After a months-long absence, The Wyatt Family returned to WWE, drawing an enormous ovation in the process. Fans greeted Bray, Erick Rowan and Braun Strowman with chants of "welcome back" before WWE world tag team champions The New Day interrupted the trio's promo.

Big E, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods tried to inject the segment with their trademark humor before the latter fell silent. There was a faraway look in his eye for a split second before Kingston shrugged him back to focus.

Wyatt responded, claiming The New Day's future is one in which it falls.

Strowman clapped his hands, and The Wyatt Family bumper brought the segment to an end.

Grade

C- 

Analysis

Right out of the box, The New Day and The Wyatt Family failed to mesh well. The latter is a serious, dangerous threat to any and all industry Superstars. The idea of this group spending weeks building a program with a comedy-based act like the tag team champions is not all that appealing.

The idea of Wyatt being able to hypnotize Woods is even less appealing and a bit too corny to be effective in today's wrestling landscape.

The feud has a wealth of talent at its core, but the storytelling will ultimately determine its overall success.

This was not an enormously positive start.

Titus O'Neil Sends a Message

Credit: WWE.com

On the heels of a defeat at the hands of Rusev at Money in the Bank, Titus O'Neil sent a message to the United States champion.

After warning Rusev to never, ever disrespect his family again, the former Florida Gator unleashed his wrath on the titleholder. The two Superstars waged war in a fight that spilled to the ringside area, where O'Neil took control, eventually sending Rusev scurrying to protection.

The former Prime Time Player stood tall, reaffirming his status as the biggest threat to Rusev's reign.

Grade

C+

Analysis

Rusev versus Titus is not a feud anyone would have admitted to wanting to see continue after Sunday's pay-per-view, especially after The Bulgarian Brute beat him as thoroughly as he did. With that said, O'Neil was outstanding here, showing more intensity and aggression than he ever has before.

WWE Creative may have tapped into something with the former collegiate football star as the everyday family man fighting for the pride of his two sons. Fans had no reason to connect with him previously, but this is motivation everyone can understand.

What may have been a lethargic program at first has finally hit its stride.

Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins

Credit: WWE.com

With Dean Ambrose sitting in on commentary, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins fought for the right to challenge him for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Battleground.

Reigns and Rollins picked up where they left off on Sunday night, delivering a match full of near-falls and false finishes that took the crowd on an emotional roller-coaster ride.

Late in the match, the action spilled to the floor on the strength of Reigns' Drive By kick. In control of the match, he positioned Rollins on the announce table for a powerbomb attempt. The Architect slithered free and clipped Reigns' knee out from under him.

After a race to get into the ring and break the referee's count succeeded the first time, it failed a second, leading to an unsatisfactory double count-out.

Unwilling to let the match end in that fashion, Shane McMahon arrived on the scene only to be interrupted by Ambrose. The Lunatic Fringe offered to defend against both guys at the same time.

McMahon announced a Triple Threat match between the three for Battleground.

Result

Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins fought to a double count-out.

Grade

B 

Analysis

The match was another very solid entry to the Reigns-Rollins story, but the announcement of a Triple Threat for Battleground completely overshadowed it.

As one of the few big-money matches the company still has left in its arsenal, it is a bit strange that WWE Creative would opt to roll it out for a show widely considered a C-level pay-per-view at best.

Still, Ambrose stepping up and offering to fight both guys was a nice change from the typical announcement that infuriates the champion.