WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from November 14

Just six days from Survivor Series, Goldberg and Brock Lesnar came face-to-face for the first time before their epic encounter at the fall spectacular, and fireworks erupted.

Which of the iconic Superstars would gain the upper hand ahead of a rematch 12 years in the making?

How would the men of Team Raw coexist in the wake of last week's Fatal 5-Way match, which Kevin Owens won in a less than convincing fashion?

Would Charlotte be able to prove herself a fitting leader of Raw's ladies team, or would chaos ensue as her teammates jockeyed for position in Women's Championship contention?

Then there were the tag teams, each looking up at reigning champions The New Day, all expected to team with the titleholders to lead Raw to victory. Would they be able to exhibit anything even remotely close to teamwork, or would ego pull them apart?

Fans got the answers to all of those questions and more on a pivotal episode of Raw, featuring a State of WWE Address.

Mick Foley and Stephanie McMahon Address the Raw Roster

Stephanie McMahon and Mick Foley kicked off Monday's show in the ring, addressing the WWE Universe and Raw roster.

They pointed out key individuals and teams. rallying the troops ahead of Survivor Series.

To help promote cohesiveness, they booked a series of matches, including Roman Reigns and Kevin Owens vs. Cesaro and Sheamus, The New Day vs. Seth Rollins, Chris Jericho and Braun Strowman, along with Charlotte and Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax and Alicia Fox.

Grade

C

Analysis

This was a mediocre segment to say the least, but it did set up a few fresh matches thanks to the overarching theme of "cohesion."

Stephanie came off as slightly overbearing here, trying too hard to rally the Superstars, while Foley struck the right chord. McMahon has been the best element of many a segment over the last three years, but that has not been the case of late.

Roman Reigns and Kevin Owens vs. Sheamus and Cesaro

WWE Universal champion Kevin Owens and United States champion Roman Reigns had their cohesiveness tested Monday night as they battled Cesaro and Sheamus.

Early frustration nearly cost them as a mid-match argument ended via Cesaro tope.

Late in the bout, dissension among partners nearly doomed the titleholders to defeat. Sheamus broke up a disagreement with a big Brogue Kick, only to be speared by Reigns, who scored the win for his team.

Result

Roman Reigns and Kevin Owens defeated Sheamus and Cesaro.

Grade

B

Analysis

A solid match that played up the dissension among teammates, which was all this was really supposed to be.

While that may be a good thing this early in the show, the "partners who do not get along" storyline will wear thin in very short order.

Sami Zayn vs. Bo Dallas

Ahead of his Intercontinental Championship opportunity at Survivor Series, Sami Zayn squared off with Bo Dallas in singles competition.

The heel got a bit of offense in, including a series of ferocious back elbows, but Zayn fired back with a handful of clotheslines.

The Helluvah Kick finished Dallas off and left Zayn surging heading into Sunday's match with SmackDown Live's SmackDown.

Result

Sami Zayn defeated Bo Dallas.

Grade

C+

Analysis

This was a short, succinct squash to put Zayn over, and it worked.

Not since his feud with Kevin Owens has the Underdog From The Underground been so meaningful to the WWE Universe. The true test of his significance will come Sunday when he battles Ziggler. The match will undoubtedly be good, but will WWE Creative pull the trigger and give him the title?

If not, he once again is the lovable loser, of which WWE currently has far too many.

The New Day vs. Chris Jericho, Braun Strowman and Seth Rollins

The Six-Man Tag Team match pitting The New Day against Chris Jericho, Braun Strowman and Seth Rollins was less about the WWE's long-running tag team champions and more about the guys on the other side of the ring.

Strowman was front and center, leaving both Kofi Kingston and Big E lying in a heap at ringside.

Back inside the squared circle, Rollins was poised to finish off Xavier Woods when Jericho's ego got the best of him. He tagged himself in and nearly lost the match with a small-package rollup.

Strowman reentered the squared circle and flattened Woods with a powerslam to secure the win for his team.

After the bout, Rollins answered Jericho's trash talk with a Pedigree.

Result

Chris Jericho, Braun Strowman and Seth Rollins defeated The New Day.

Grade

C+

Analysis

So, the tag team who has reigned atop the division for nearly 450 days is not good enough to topple a mismatched trio of Superstars barely able to hold itself together for the match's 15-minute run time?

Makes perfect sense.

The action here was fine, but that one logic gap hurt it tremendously.

Strowman was spotlighted nicely, proving he is a wrecking ball of a competitor who can lay waste to all of SmackDown Live if need be. The continuation of the Rollins-Jericho dissension suggests they will feud coming out of Survivor Series and, more importantly, their issues may play a significant role in Sunday's main event.

Sin Cara vs. Brian Kendrick

Credit: WWE.com

The product of a hideously boring backstage segment that did more to shine a light on what is wrong with WWE's cruiserweight division than enhance it, Brian Kendrick battled Sin Cara in a non-title match, just six days before defending his cruiserweight title against Kalisto.

Sin Cara outclassed Kendrick early, but the champion sidestepped the masked competitor and shoved him to the ringside area to take control of the bout.

Despite Sin Cara' best attempts to mount a comeback, Kendrick manipulated his opponent's mask and trapped him in the Captain's Hook for the submission victory.

Result

Brian Kendrick defeated Sin Cara.

Grade

C-

Analysis

Yes, it made sense to put Sin Cara in this spot given his history with SmackDown Live's Kalisto, but it also highlighted just how stale and boring the luchador's character is. Sin Cara is nondescript and has been beaten down so many times that his credibility is nonexistent.

A win over him means nothing for Kendrick, and it doesn't increase the heat for Sunday's showdown with Kalisto.

Instead, it shines a bright spotlight on everything wrong with the company's handling of its cruiserweight talent to date.

Goldberg and Brock Lesnar Face-to-Face

Credit: WWE.com

The final showdown between Brock Lesnar and Goldberg occurred Monday night as the industry titans set foot inside the same squared circle for the first time since 2004.

Goldberg repeatedly cut Paul Heyman off, refusing to allow the advocate for his Survivor Series opponent to go through his introductory spiel. He said the existing issues were between him and Lesnar, but Heyman would not allow it to be settled between them.

The former WCW star became more and more agitated as Heyman brought up his family, peaking with the suggestion that Goldberg's kids would call Lesnar "daddy" after Sunday.

Goldberg unloaded on security, laying waste to them as Lesnar watched from the ring apron. Rather than getting into the squared circle, he hopped off the apron and walked away, drawing boos from the audience.

Grade

A

Analysis

Introduce a personal edge to a rivalry, keep the two competitors from touching each other and watch the anticipation for the bout grow with every passing minute, something fans did Monday night as Lesnar and Goldberg built to their epic showdown.

The Superstars themselves were at the top of their game and Heyman was outstanding as the antagonist.

The only concern is Goldberg's cardiovascular health as he prepares for the match. He looked a bit blown up after entering the arena, but that could be more a product of adrenaline than actual poor conditioning. He looked phenomenal otherwise, easily in the best shape since the peak of his WCW run.

How that translates to an actual in-ring performance Sunday night remains to be seen.

Sasha Banks and Charlotte vs. Alicia Fox and Nia Jax

Sasha Banks and Charlotte fought themselves more than they fought their opponents—Alicia Fox and Nia Jax. They traded forearms and even knocked each other down with one at one point.

Still, they managed to fight back and score the victory following The Boss' Bank Statement to Alicia Fox.

After the match, Bayley tried to smooth things over between the rivals but failed, only getting a hug from Banks.

Result

Charlotte and Sasha Banks defeated Nia Jax and Alicia Fox.

Grade

D

Analysis

By this point in the night, the "tag team partners who hate each other" narrative was wearing thin, as was the idea of bickering teammates somehow overcoming the odds and winning. It is insulting to the viewers' intelligence and an indictment on what proved to be a lazy writing team.

Sure, Jax and Fox had issues in the past, but the spotlight was clearly on Banks and Charlotte here, while Bayley sat in on commentary, looking like a disengaged teammate.

Eight-Man Tag Team Match

Credit: WWE.com

Enzo Amore and Big Cass teamed with rivals Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson to battle The Golden Truth and The Shining Stars.

The contest was the same formulaic multiman tag match the company has presented countless times over the last year.

Late, Anderson and Gallows interrupted Enzo and Big Cass' attempt at their finish to pick up the win themselves.

Result

Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, Enzo Amore and Big Cass defeated The Shining Stars and The Golden Truth.

Grade

D

Analysis

With only two of the four teams involved here even remotely credible, and third-hour fatigue setting in, this was a wasted match even though there was nothing inherently wrong with the efforts of the talent involved.

The match was not excellent, and the lack of creativity behind the four matchups left this an underwhelming match that did nothing to generate belief in Raw's contribution to the tag team warfare Sunday night.

Raw vs. SmackDown Summit

Credit: WWE.com

Before Stephanie McMahon could introduce the Raw vs. SmackDown Live summit, Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan hit the ring, joining the commissioner and general manager Mick Foley for the main event promo segment.

Insults were hurled back and forth before Stephanie introduced Team Raw, essentially leaving them to jump Shane-O-Mac.

Team SmackDown arrived and a showdown ensued.

Chris Jericho, unimpressed by WWE world champion AJ Styles, put him on The List of Jericho. He added Styles' haircut and James Ellsworth for good measure.

From there, Bray Wyatt confronted former Family member Braun Strowman, but it was Dean Ambrose who blasted Seth Rollins and started the anticipated brawl that ended when Rollins and Roman Reigns cleaned house and sent Styles soaring into his teammates via a powerbomb over the top rope.

SmackDown's team retreated to end the segment.

Grade

B-

Analysis

Not Dean Ambrose, AJ Styles or Randy Orton could take out Braun Strowman but Shane freaking McMahon was able to clear him out of the ring with a clothesline over the top rope?

Really?

Like, that was a thing?

And what about Rollins and Jericho just casually walking to the ring—feet from each other—no revenge by Jericho for the Pedigree he endured earlier? How about Roman Reigns and Kevin Owens' ability not to pummel each other after arguing so much in the opener?

What of Dean Ambrose's disdain for Styles?

Logic was not strong in this segment, but the brawl did bring with it a big reaction and some genuine interest in the Survivor Series main event, which was the ultimate goal.