WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from November 21

In the wake of Survivor Series, the Superstars of Raw began building toward Roadblock: End of the Line Monday night.

Kevin Owens, Chris Jericho, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins continued their rivalry, culminating in a WWE Universal Championship match between The Prizefighter and The Architect.

Cesaro and Sheamus sought the tag team titles that had been just outside of their grasp as they challenged The New Day.

Rich Swann, T.J. Perkins and Noam Dar battled for the right to challenge Brian Kendrick for the Cruiserweight Championship, and Enzo Amore found himself on the receiving end of Rusev's anger.

As Roadblock approached, the WWE Universe was given the first hint of feuds, matches and stories that will dominate the airwaves ahead of the WWE Network presentation.

Who emerged victorious and how will it affect programming going forward?

Find out with this look back at the November 21 episode of Raw.

Goldberg Promo

Fresh off a dominant, decisive victory over Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series, Goldberg kicked off this week's show to a thunderous ovation.

The iconic WCW star revealed Stephanie McMahon approached him and asked if he had one more championship run in him. He said he did and officially announced his entry into the 2017 Royal Rumble match.

Grade

A+ 

Analysis

Short, sweet and to the point, this was everything an opening promo segment should be.

Goldberg was thankful for the opportunity to come back and came across as humble.

The announcement instantly increases the Royal Rumble's significance and gives fans the impression that every major star, past and present, will be seeking the opportunity to challenge for the world or Universal title at WrestleMania.

A great start to the show.

The New Day vs. Cesaro and Sheamus

In the wake of their win at Survivor Series, Sheamus and Cesaro challenged The New Day for the Raw Tag Team Championship, looking to put an end to the near-record reign.

Sheamus and Cesaro controlled the middle portion of the match and even appeared to have the match won after The Swiss Superman trapped Kingston in a Sharpshooter. A Brogue Kick to Big E on the floor appeared to have the match in hand for the challengers.

It was a resilient and resourceful Kingston who took advantage of a distraction and rolled Cesaro up for the win.

Result

The New Day defeated Cesaro and Sheamus.

Grade

B

Analysis

The New Day, Cesaro and Sheamus have wicked in-ring chemistry. They have had several strong matches, with this being the best yet. The best part? There still feels like there is a better match to be had.

The finish does nothing to hurt the challengers' credibility while boosting the champions' ring awareness.

More of this, please.

Cedric Alexander vs. Ariya Daivari

Cedric Alexander continued his quest to cruiserweight supremacy Monday night as he battled Ariya Daivari.

The generic heel cut a promo on Canadians, comparing them to Americans. The bravado proved ineffective.

After some late-match counters, Alexander delivered the Lumbar Check to pick up yet another victory.

Result

Cedric Alexander defeated Ariya Daivari.

Grade

C 

Analysis

The generic promo Daivari cut prior to the match is a reflection of the lack of development that has gone into these cruiserweight competitors.

That the company is promoting an entire show around them, yet it has not done even the slightest to get fans to care about them, is staggering.

Kevin Owens Promo

Chris Jericho was in the middle of the ring for an edition of The Highlight Reel, ready to expose the Superstar who was at blame for Team Raw's defeat at Survivor Series, when Kevin Owens interrupted.

The WWE universal champion also claimed to know who was at fault and, in unison, exclaimed "Roman Reigns."

They shifted the blame for Seth Rollins, who interrupted to a big pop. Rollins revealed he was promised certain opportunities by agreeing to join the team and was cashing in one Monday night: a shot at Owens' title.

Rollins found himself on the receiving end of a two-on-one beatdown until Reigns made the save, much to fans' dismay. Jericho ate a Superman Punch, and Raw general manager Mick Foley announced that title match would happen Monday night, and Jericho would be barred from ringside.

Grade

C

Analysis

There was nothing about this segment that fans had not seen countless times before, as late as the Survivor Series lead-in.

In fact, the only thing that elevated this segment whatsoever was the title-match announcement for later in the show.

And the comedic timing of Jericho and Owens.

Enzo Amore vs. Rusev

The result of a backstage vignette in which Enzo Amore, in all of his nakedness, approached Lana, this match pitted the Certified G against an enraged Rusev.

Amore cut a pre-match promo mocking Rusev's pantless appearance and then found himself beaten down and battered by The Bulgarian Brute.

Enzo played the role of popular underdog well but ultimately succumbed to The Accolade.

Result

Rusev defeated Enzo Amore. 

Grade

C

Analysis

While it is nice to see both Enzo and Rusev doing something on Raw, neither benefits from this situation. Both are in need of victories so a loss for either man defeats the purpose. The situation's silver lining is that the babyface is bulletproof at this point—a Superstar who will remain over, win or lose.

It would be nice to suggest Rusev will now be on his way to a substantial push; history tells us that any likelihood of him enjoying a main event run where he actually wins a match or two is extremely low.

The Golden Truth vs. Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows

Somehow, these two teams were considered the cream of the crop—the division's top two tag teams. This, despite the fact they are serial losers.

The action was fairly fast-paced and entertaining enough, but the winner was never really in doubt.

Goldust found himself in the unenviable position of victim to the Magic Killer, which catapulted the heels to victory. 

Result

Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows defeated The Golden Truth.

Grade

D

Analysis

In what universe are either of these teams worthy of a title opportunity?

Anderson and Gallows lose more than they win and have repeatedly dropped title matches to The New Day. The Golden Truth is a comedy act that has overstayed its welcome significantly. Neither should be serious contenders to the champions, who are likely to retain and bowl over Anderson and Gallows next week.

Sami Zayn vs. Braun Strowman

One night after falling short of dethroning The Miz for the Intercontinental Championship at Survivor Series, Sami Zayn was "rewarded" with a match against the monstrous Braun Strowman—a man he showed no fear of in the weeks leading into Sunday's event.

Strowman pummeled Zayn, mercilessly clubbing him with his forearms and leaving him a heap of mangled humanity.

The beating became so bad, Raw general manager Mick Foley emerged, calling off the bout and citing Zayn's inability to defend himself.

Result

Braun Strowman defeated Sami Zayn via referee stoppage.

Grade

B+

Analysis

This was really strong booking from a typically inconsistent WWE Creative.

Strowman comes out of this looking like the unstoppable monster—a beast of a man whose penchant for beating his opponents into unconsciousness has helped him become the industry's most pure big man.

Nobody takes a better ass-kicking than Zayn, who was absolutely sympathetic as he was systematically destroyed. While it would not make sense to book the match a second time after the decisive conclusion here but a pay-per-view showdown would be great fun.

Sasha Banks and Bayley vs. Charlotte and Nia Jax

Prior to the bout, Charlotte denounced her Survivor Series teammates as peasants before Sasha Banks interrupted and brought up the rematch she is owed from Hell in a Cell. Nia Jax would stick her nose in the promo, citing issues with Banks.

Bayley would join the fray, leading to a tag team match.

Bayley played the role of babyface in peril, taking a focused beating from both Charlotte and Jax.

Banks received the hot tag, took the fight to both Jax and Charlotte and then forced a tapout from the latter to pick up the win for the babyfaces.

Result

Sasha Banks and Bayley defeated Charlotte and Nia Jax.

Grade

B-

Analysis

The promo prior to the match suggested Banks and Jax will find themselves at odds, potentially leading to a singles bout at Roadblock. As fun as that sounds, the money match is clearly Bayley vs. Charlotte, with the dynamic between the players making for an easy story to tell and one fans are eager to invest in.

That Bayley is such a believable and likable underdog babyface only helps matters.

T.J. Perkins vs. Rich Swann vs. Noam Dar

WWE continued to promote the upcoming 205 Live debut, booking a Triple Threat No. 1 Contender's match between Rich Swann, Noam Dar and T.J. Perkins.

The action was nonstop, at times relegated to one-on-one but at others, featuring all three Superstars in the ring at the same time.

Late, it appeared as though Perkins would score the win with the knee bar. However, Swann delivered Rolling Thunder and then picked up the win off a kick to the former champion's head.

Result

Rich Swann defeated Noam Dar and T.J. Perkins.

Grade

C

Analysis

Swann is still the most charismatic star in the cruiserweight division, but that does not make up for the fact this was another match with nameless, faceless competitors fighting for the right to challenge for a title fans could not possibly care less about.

With that said, Swann is awesome and should totally dethrone The Brian Kendrick come Roadblock.

Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens for the Universal Championship

Credit: WWE.com

The WWE Universal Championship was up for grabs in Monday's main event as Kevin Owens and Seth Rollins wrote the latest chapter of their rivalry.

It took half of the match for the Superstars to really take advantage of the No DQ stipulation, but once they did, the match became a chaotic brawl.

Chairs, tables and trash cans were used as the action spilled into the stands.

Rollins delivered a cross body off the stage, drawing a few chants unsuitable for children's ears.

Late, Rollins became embroiled in a brawl with a fan, who was revealed to be the banned Chris Jericho. Rollins delivered a Pedigree on Jericho on the floor, only to be attacked and powerbombed onto the ring apron.

Owens would score the pinfall victory moments later.

Result

Kevin Owens defeated Seth Rollins.

Grade

B+

Analysis

A fun, intense brawl between two of the company's best workers, this was more than a suitable main event. The one problem is that Owens is still the heel champion who cannot win without interference. He has been booked as anything but a strong champion, and the result is a mediocre champion whose entertainment factor is never in question but whose legitimacy certainly is.

This did more to create interest in Rollins and Jericho's impending match than Owens, and that is concerning given his status as the top heel on the roster.