WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from October 31

The transition from Hell in a Cell to Survivor Series took center stage Monday night as the Superstars of Raw looked to recover from Sunday's event while looking forward to the fall classic.

Seth Rollins sought revenge for his controversial defeat at the hands of Kevin Owens, while general manager Mick Foley tapped the first few Superstars to represent the brand against Team SmackDown. Charlotte addressed the WWE Universe after a historic Hell in a Cell match victory, while Bayley looked to add her name to the title hunt by battling a familiar foe.

The were ghosts, ghouls and goblins, none bigger or nastier than Braun Strowman, as WWE presented a special Halloween edition of Raw.

Who won, and how will it affect the company going forward?

Let's take a look.

Goldberg Returns

Goldberg made his return to Raw Monday night but was almost immediately interrupted by Paul Heyman, who spoke on behalf of his client, Brock Lesnar.

Heyman verbally targeted the WCW icon's family, talking about the disappointment they will experience watching Goldberg's demolition at the hands of The Beast.

The advocate ate a spear from Da Man.

Rusev interrupted Goldberg next, questioning the legend's speed and explosion. Goldberg responded, throwing a knee at him that resulted in him tripping, then took him up and over with The Jackhammer. Goldberg stood tall to close out the segment.

Grade

C+

Analysis

This would have graded out so much better if Rusev was not used. On a show lacking credible heels, why sacrifice him for the sake of reminding fans of Goldberg's explosiveness?

Heyman's promo was typically great and did just enough to generate even more interest in the Survivor Series main event.

Trick or Treat Fight: Enzo Amore vs. Luke Gallows

Remember that time Luke Gallows went to Japan and became a star as part of The Bullet Club, seemingly erasing nonsensical gimmick bouts from his resume once and for all?

Hijinx ensued as the Superstars waged war using pumpkin innards and other festive items.

The finish saw Big Cass put a pumpkin over Gallows' head and Enzo Amore deliver a top rope leg drop to score the victory.

Result

Enzo Amore defeated Luke Gallows

Grade

D-

Analysis

Any momentum gained by Gallows and Anderson Sunday night was erased by this poor excuse for Halloween fun.

A terrible match that did nothing to help anyone involved.

Cruiserweight Championship Match: T.J. Perkins vs. Brian Kendrick

Just one night removed from losing the WWE Cruiserweight Championship, T.J. Perkins refused to accept new titleholder Brian Kendrick's handshake at the beginning of the match, opting not to fall for the same mistake of trusting his former friend as he did previously.

The match culminated with Kendrick losing by count-out then finding himself trapped in Perkins' knee bar, the former champion allowing his emotions to get the best of him.

Referees had to talk down the former champion, who stood tall to close the segment.

Result

T.J. Perkins defeated Brian Kendrick

Grade

C

Analysis

The match itself was nothing special, but it was nice to see a little personality out of Perkins, who lacked it something fierce leading into Sunday's Hell in a Cell. Frustration boiling over, his trust betrayed by a man he once considered a friend, he lashed out.

This was logical storytelling, folks, and something the show could benefit from more frequently.

Mick Foley Promo

Mick Foley wasted little time calling out Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho for their actions at Hell in a Cell.

The best friends interrupting, essentially mocking the general manager and basking in Foley's need for them to represent the brand at Survivor Series. Foley introduced Roman Reigns as their teammate for the pay-per-view, inciting a verbal exchange between the Superstars.

The segment ended with Reigns vs. Jericho for the United States Championship being announced for later in the show.

Grade

B-

Analysis

Jericho is a joy to watch at this point in his career; a virtuoso performer who understands how to get anything over, he continues to shine on the mic.

The introduction of Reigns was proof of the writers' tone deafness, as there was no chance he was going to be viewed as the babyface when surrounded by guys fans consider better and more entertaining than him.

A solid-enough segment but one that probably could have accomplished the match announcement in a shorter backstage segment.

Battle Royal to Determine Survivor Series Team Member

The search for Superstars to round out Team Raw continued with a Battle Royal.

The match, as it turned out, proved to be Braun Strowman vs. The World.

Despite strong efforts from Neville and Sami Zayn and miscommunication from Sheamus and Cesaro, it was the former Wyatt Family member who dominated the competition and tossed The Underdog from the Underground to the arena floor for the win.

Result

Braun Strowman won

Grade

C-

Analysis

Battle Royals are always a tough match to book, and given the amount of dead weight in this match, it should be of no great surprise this one was far from good.

Strowman winning was interesting in that he has been on the receiving end of strong booking but is hardly the guy fans would immediately point to as the savior of Raw. Yet he is convincing and believable and will be an asset to a brand in desperate need of marquee villains.

Cruiserweight Tag Team Match

The cruiserweights were in action again Monday night as Rich Swann, Cedric Alexander and Lince Dorado battled Drew Gulak, Tony Nese and Ariya Daivari in tag team action.

Swann received the hot tag late and exploded into the match with his unorthodox offense. He would pick up the win for his team with a kick to Nese.

Result

Rich Swann, Cedric Alexander and Lince Dorado defeated Drew Gulak, Tony Nese and Ariya Daivari

Grade

C

Analysis

The best wrestlers on the planet would struggle to make waves with the WWE Universe just based on the way the cruiserweights have been utilized to this point.

There is zero character development, storytelling or angle advancement to speak of. The action might be flashy and, at times, exciting, but there is nothing going on beyond that, and the results are evident in the complete and utter lack of energy fans are greeting the bouts with.

And that is a shame given how talented Swann, Cedric and the rest of the competitors are.

Charlotte Promo

On the heels of a historic victory over Sasha Banks inside Hell in a Cell, Charlotte took to the squared circle to address the WWE Universe.

In doing so, she ran down SmackDown's crop of female Superstars then called out the woman she perceives to be the weak link of Raw, Bayley.

Charlotte ran her down, implying she was a fan playing dress up on Halloween and did not belong in the same ring as her. "When are you going to realize this isn't NXT?" Charlotte asked, essentially discrediting an entire brand in the process.

She revealed Bayley will compete against another member of Team Raw after the break.

Grade

B-

Analysis

Charlotte is a great heel whose promo abilities are wholly underrated. With that said, this promo was fine, but the NXT line really stuck out, as if it is somehow inferior to Raw.

Yes, the brand is glorified developmental, but considering the majority of the young talent poised to carry WWE for the next decade has come from there, perhaps little digs at NXT such as that one should be eliminated.

The tease for the opponent was nice, even if the lack of depth leads one to believe it will be either Nia Jax or Dana Brooke.

Bayley vs. Nia Jax

Nia Jax was revealed as Bayley's opponent, and the dominant competitor wasted little time rekindling the rivalry she once shared with the popular babyface.

Jax worked the injured shoulder of her opponent then wore her down with a bear hug. Bayley mounted a comeback but was cutoff then thoroughly punished at ringside.

From there, Jax rolled her into the ring and finished her off with a Samoan Drop.

Result

Nia Jax defeated Bayley

Grade

B-

Analysis

The match itself featured some strong storytelling. Jax was the dominant force while Bayley was the unflinching underdog, a never-say-die heroine whose will to win trumps the pain she endures. Unfortunately, her body gave out on her and she lost.

The biggest gripe with the entire ordeal is the act that Bayley could not beat Jax, despite doing it twice in NXT.

That inconsistency in storytelling needs to end before one of the hottest WWE properties is rendered null and void.

Sheamus and Cesaro vs. the Shining Stars

Fresh off their elimination in the Battle Royal earlier in the night, Sheamus and Cesaro continued their bickering as they squared off with The Shining Stars, Primo and Epico.

There were no timeshares to be sold as the heels failed to capitalize on their opponent's incessant fighting.

Sheamus forced a tapout from Epico, who found himself trapped in the Cloverleaf.

Result

Sheamus and Cesaro defeated The Shining Stars

Grade

D

Analysis

The Sheamus-Cesaro story could have been limited to the Battle Royal stuff rather than dragged out over two segments, the second of which was a throwaway match that was largely meaningless.

But you know, The Shining Stars are still selling timeshares in the most unforgivably bad story of the year.

United States Championship Match: Roman Reigns vs. Chris Jericho

Credit: WWE.com

The big story of the Raw main event was the injured body of Roman Reigns, who was tasked with defending his United States Championship against an all-time great despite feeling less than 100 percent.

Jericho capitalized on the pain throughout, nearly defeating Reigns on several occasions. When it appeared as though the champion was going to retain, though, Kevin Owens interfered, drawing the disqualification.

A two-on-one beatdown ensued until Seth Rollins made the save, clearing the ring and standing across the ring from his former teammate. Chants of "Shield" and "YES!" erupted, the fans geeking out at the slightest hint of a Hounds of Justice reunion.

Result

Roman Reigns defeated Chris Jericho via disqualification

Grade

B+

Analysis

The match was very good, on par with the best recent Raw main events. The booking was even better, with tension between Rollins and Reigns teased as fans contemplated the idea of a Shield reunion. The heat was off the charts late, indicating there is money to be made with Rollins and Reigns, just in the right capacity.

Jericho looks great and, more importantly, motivated between the ropes of late. The result may be one last shot at glory for the Ayatollah of Rock and Rolla.