WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from June 27

The suspension of Roman Reigns hung over the June 27 episode of Raw like a dark cloud, but WWE Creative more than made up for the disappointing development, delivering a compelling broadcast that shined a light on its top two programs and continued developing secondary stories that will be expected to fill out the upcoming Battleground card.

John Cena and AJ Styles attempted to interject themselves into the WWE World Heavyweight Championship picture on Monday night, but would they be able to put their differences with each other aside long enough to make their dreams a reality?

Sasha Banks returned last week and instantly focused on Charlotte and the WWE Women's Championship. This week, she teamed with Paige to battle the titleholder and Dana Brooke in a big tag team match. Would The Boss continue to make a play for the title or would Charlotte once again establish dominance?

Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens joined Chris Jericho on "The Highlight Reel," The Miz returned to Raw and Becky Lynch looked to avenge her betrayal at the hands of Natalya.

How did your favorite Superstars make out on this week's show, and how does it affect the WWE Universe going forward?

Find out now with this analytical look back at the June 27 episode.

In-Ring Promo

The June 27 episode of Raw kicked off with Seth Rollins hitting the ring for a promo.

He touched on Reigns' suspension right out of the gate, picking apart and mocking the former champion's Twitter apology. New WWE world heavyweight champion Dean Ambrose interrupted to a huge ovation, much to the dismay of The Architect.

The former Shield mates exchanged insults before AJ Styles interrupted, suggesting he take Reigns' spot in the Triple Threat match. From there, he proposed a Fatal 4-Way match, which Rollins objected to.

John Cena arrived, drawing his typical mixed reaction. Cena brought up that, the last time he battled Ambrose with a title on the line, he won, referencing last year's United States Open Challenge. He proposed a rare Fatal 5-Way match.

Stephanie McMahon called the Reigns issue an embarrassment but said it was not as embarrassing as Ambrose being champion.

The Billion Dollar Princess booked Cena vs. Rollins and Styles vs. Ambrose, with the caveat that, if Cena and Styles won, they would be added to the Battleground pay-per-view main event.

Grade

B+

Analysis

There were plenty of questions surrounding the build for the upcoming WWE title match and how it would be achieved without Reigns available. Creative answered that question quickly, teasing that Cena and Styles would be added to make for an explosive Fatal 5-Way match.

The inclusion of Cena and Styles may not have made sense contextually, but it did draw a huge reaction from the crowd, which seemed on board with the idea.

Furthermore, it set up what looked like two outstanding matches for the night, including the first Styles-Ambrose singles match.

Paige and Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte and Dana Brooke

Sasha Banks returned last week, rescuing Paige form a two-on-one beatdown at the hands of Charlotte and Dana Brooke. This week, the four women battled in a logical tag team contest.

The babyfaces dominated early, clearing the heels from the ring with a double dropkick heading into break.

Brooke and Charlotte isolated Paige, working over her for the heart of the match. A late-match hot tag to Banks saw The Boss explode into the ring, running through the less experienced Brooke before tapping her out to The Bank Statement for the win.

Banks stood tall as the heels retreated.

Result

Sasha Banks and Paige defeated Charlotte and Dana Brooke.

Grade

C+

Analysis

This was a formulaic tag team match, but it worked.

Paige should probably be a bigger deal in the women's division, but she was exceptional in the role of babyface in peril.

Banks' late-match surge was the right call, as was her submission over Brooke. Keeping her apart from Charlotte helps build interest in their eventual match, which WWE Creative should seriously consider holding off on until SummerSlam.

Non-Title Match: Titus O'Neil vs. Rusev

Lana was in the squared circle following the break and introduced WWE United States champion Rusev to a crowd that greeted him with a chorus of boos.

Titus O'Neil, the greatest threat to The Bulgarian Brute's title as it stands now, then entered.

Just as commentator Michael Cole said that the key to victory for O'Neil was keeping his emotions under control, he hit the ring and took the fight to his rival before the bell. Rusev recovered after the official start of the match, grounding O'Neil with a big clothesline.

Rusev worked a headlock as the crowd tried to will O'Neil back into the match. A huge dropkick cut off a comeback attempt.

Late, the champion grabbed his title and attempted to leave only to be greeted by a charging opponent. They knocked each other down with a huge double clothesline. O'Neil sent Rusev into the timekeeper's area and made it back into the ring for the count-out victory.

Result

Titus O'Neil defeated Rusev via count-out.

Grade

C+

Analysis

After the yawner between these two at Money in the Bank, the feud between O'Neil and Rusev finally feels like a feud worthy of the U.S. title.

For its short duration, this was a hard-hitting, heavyweight battle. Was it pretty? Not by any means, but not all matches have to be. It was believable and had an outcome that allows the program to continue without either man looking weak.

WWE should utilize this sort of booking more often.

John Cena vs. Seth Rollins

John Cena's opportunity to compete for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Battleground rested upon his ability to defeat Seth Rollins, a Superstar with whom he traded victories last summer, in a match worthy of a pay-per-view main event.

Rollins controlled the middle portion of the match, using a chinlock to wear down Cena. In typical fashion, the babyface exploded with a series of shoulder tackles and tried for the Five Knuckle Shuffle, only to catch a boot to the face.

Back from the break, Cena recycled the same spots, this time executing the Five Knuckle Shuffle.

Later, Rollins delivered a sunset flip powerbomb into the corner, the same maneuver he was executing when he tore his knee to shreds. A frog splash missed. A falcon arrow did not, but Rollins still only managed to net a two-count as frustration set in.

Rollins tried for a cross body block, but Cena countered and delivered the Attitude Adjustment for a dramatic near-fall. Cena tried to apply the STF, but AJ Styles, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows appeared, providing a distraction.

It was all Rollins needed to deliver a Pedigree and score the victory.

Result

Seth Rollins defeated John Cena.

Grade

B+

Analysis

This was nowhere near the previous matches between Cena and Rollins, but it was a nice curveball from WWE Creative. After the announcement at the top of the show, it felt like a certainty the company was going all-in with the Battleground match.

Instead, it was a red herring to set up the latest developments in Cena's program with Styles.

Unfortunately, that made the outcome of Ambrose vs. Styles somewhat of a foregone conclusion.

Enzo Amore and Big Cass vs. Enhancement Opponents

The opposition for Enzo Amore and Big Cass was unnamed. Not that it mattered, as Amore floored one of the guys with a clothesline, Cass flattened the other with a big boot and the babyfaces scored the win with the Rocket Launcher.

Before Cass could complete the "S-A-W-F-T" catchphrase, The Social Outcasts made their return.

Bo Dallas, Heath Slater and Curtis Axel mocked the popular team before charging the ring. Slater ate a big boot, and the other two retreated rather than face the wrath of the men they interrupted.

Result

Enzo Amore and Big Cass defeated two unnamed competitors.

Grade

C-

Analysis

The only positive to come out of this segment was the return of old-school squash matches. Too often, WWE Superstars are devalued because they lose every week. Using two unnamed guys for a Superstar to run over is not necessarily a bad thing if used sparingly.

The tease of an Amore and Big Cass vs. Social Outcasts program is not appealing in the slightest, especially considering how over the babyfaces are.

Perhaps WWE Creative can do enough to heat up the heels, but that is unlikely given the failure their last "push" proved to be.

Becky Lynch vs. Summer Rae

Becky Lynch vs. Summer Rae never started, as The Lass Kicker attempted to avenge Natalya's Money in the Bank betrayal by attacking her at ringside.

Referees pulled the two apart, with Lynch looking fiery as she watched Natalya up the ramp.

Result

No match.

Grade

D

Analysis

Natalya's reasoning for turning on Lynch was beyond lazy. "I'm done with miscommunications," she said when pressed by Michael Cole. What does that mean? How often has Natalya been held back by partners as opposed to just flat-out losing matches?

The pull-apart was unimpressive, too. One referee could hold back Lynch, who was supposedly enraged with Natalya?

It all fell flat, and WWE Creative continues to fail at promoting a secondary women's feud of any substance.

'The Highlight Reel' with Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens

Chris Jericho's guests this week were Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens, who managed to go a few minutes without attempting to obliterate each other.

Zayn, tired of the ongoing feud, proposed a match between the two at Battleground, citing the brand extension as the reason they must settle the score.

Owens, oddly, stood silently for the majority of the segment before speaking. He painted himself as the victim, saying he was thrilled when Zayn got to WWE—an emotion Zayn did not show when Owens won the NXT title. Owens accepted the challenge.

Loudmouth Jericho, discontent with the lack of conflict, said he was better than both men and would be busy with greater things at Battleground.

Owens and Zayn shut him up with stereo superkicks to end the segment.

Grade

B+

Analysis

This was strong character work from all three involved.

Zayn, the frustrated babyface whose life has become consumed with Owens, finally lashed out and issued the challenge for one last match.

Owens, on the other hand, made himself out to be innocent in the ordeal, as he has done countless times before. Remember when he claimed to have attacked Zayn and ended years of friendship for the sake of feeding his family?

Then there was Jericho, the egotistical veteran watching the next generation pass him by. In his hubris, and unwilling to let that happen, he had to steal the spotlight, and he paid for it.

This was great stuff that should set up one of Battleground's most anticipated bouts.

Intercontinental Championship Match: Kane vs. The Miz

The Miz returned to Raw on Monday night, his ego bigger and more intolerable than ever after his latest movie shoot.

His mystery opponent, as set up by Stephanie McMahon backstage, turned out to be Kane, another of WWE Films' frequent stars.

Kane dominated the action until Maryse feigned a fall at ringside. The Miz headed out of the ring and carried his wife to the locker room, losing the match via count-out.

Result

Kane defeated The Miz by count-out.

Grade

D-

Analysis

There was not a single reason for this match to happen other than to reintroduce The Miz's character, something that was accomplished in the backstage segment earlier in the night.

Kane has overstayed his welcome significantly, looking completely out of place as WWE touts its New Era. For as much passion as he may still have, he no longer fits. There is no reason for him to still be a featured character, especially when battling someone like The Miz for a coveted midcard title.

Give that spot to Zack Ryder, Apollo Crews, Darren Young or a returning Neville.

Not to a guy whose peak came 13 years ago.

Apollo Crews and Cesaro vs. Alberto Del Rio and Sheamus

The lackluster feud between Apollo Crews and Sheamus continued on Monday, with tag team action pitting the NXT standout and Cesaro against The Celtic Warrior and his partner, Alberto Del Rio.

Yes, it was a League of Nations reunion that no one was asking for.

The most notable part of the match came late, when Del Rio blasted Sheamus with an enzuigiri kick before bailing on his partner, something he has become accustomed to doing if the lead-up to Money in the Bank is any indication.

Crews pinned Sheamus with the powerbomb for the win.

Result

Apollo Crews and Cesaro defeated Alberto Del Rio and Sheamus.

Grade

C-

Analysis

This was a smorgasbord of guys just waiting for the draft to happen so they can have a better chance at ascending up the ranks than they currently do.

Del Rio's walkout on Sheamus means nothing, unless the plan is to program them against each other in a feud that was played out in 2012—let alone four years later.

The New Day Promo

The New Day hit the ring dressed as The Wyatt Family, mocking its newfound rivals.

Bray Wyatt and Co. interrupted. After listening to Kofi Kingston and Big E discuss the power of positivity, The Reaper of Souls asked a visibly shaken Xavier Woods if he felt the same way as his partners.

Wyatt once again vowed that The New Day will fall to close out the brief promo segment.

Grade

C-

Analysis

This entire feud just does not feel right. One would hope that The Wyatt Family would bring out a nastier, more serious side of the tag champions, but that has not been the case thus far. Kingston and Big E seem content cracking jokes and mocking their impending opponents, while Woods is doing the "scared and compelled" shtick.

It is early, and the potential for a great program is there, given the talent involved. Right now, it feels a bit too cartoonish for a feud that should be gripping and, at its best, thought-provoking.

Dean Ambrose vs. AJ Styles

Credit: WWE.com

Seth Rollins sat in on commentary for the main event.

AJ Styles controlled the majority of the match against WWE world heavyweight champion Dean Ambrose. At every turn, he cut off a comeback by The Lunatic Fringe, keeping him grounded and slowing his usual frenetic pace.

The competitors traded counters and reversals late, with both the Phenomenal Forearm and Dirty Deeds being blocked. Styles gained another upper hand with a Calf Crusher. Ambrose struggled but made it to the rope, necessitating the break.

Anderson and Gallows appeared, providing a distraction that allowed Styles to deliver a brainbuster.

John Cena came out, fighting The Club off and allowing Ambrose to deliver Dirty Deeds for the win.

After the match, The Club left Cena lying, and Rollins attacked the champion.

Heels stood tall to close out the show.

Result

Dean Ambrose defeated AJ Styles.

Grade

B-

Analysis

The match itself was good, a taste of what fans can expect from an extended program one day.

The right guy went over—and in the right manner. While interference finishes may not be the most appealing, this one made sense within the context of the story set up earlier in the night.

WWE currently has two legitimate main event programs involving the top stars in the industry. That is a good place to find itself in with a brand extension drawing nearer.

Now, if only the company could build a more competent midcard rather than waiting for the draft to address stars like Cesaro, Owens, Zayn, Del Rio and Sheamus, it would be in an even better position.