WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from December 5

With just 13 days until Roadblock: End of the Line, WWE presented an awful episode of its flagship show Raw that did little to entice fans to tune into the live-event special.

Storyline inconsistencies, meaningless segments and a lack of advancement hampered the show and left it feeling more like a placeholder than an essential piece of the puzzle.

Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho's friendship hit more bumps in the road while Roman Reigns successfully retained his United States Championship over the latter.

Big Show and Mark Henry returned to television but contributed nothing to the show, while two angles long forgotten by fans became essential parts of the night's two most significant promo segments.

A poorly written show with questionable booking decisions, the Dec. 5 episode is one worth tossing away and forgetting.

That is, after you check out this complete recap of everything that went down and why it missed the mark so incredibly.

Seth Rollins Kicks Off Raw

Credit: WWE.com

Seth Rollins kicked off Monday's show with a promo.

He reiterated his want for a showdown with Triple H, who cost him the WWE Universal Championship in August. He equated his Pedigree of Jericho last week to a message to Triple H, a sign of his continued disdain for the man he once considered a mentor.

Owens interrupted and scoffed at the idea that he was not a fighting champion. He claimed that he already beat Rollins, just two weeks ago, so he had nothing to prove.

He announced that Mick Foley booked him in a match against longtime rival Sami Zayn while Rollins was being forced into competition against Big Show. In between, he announced Jericho vs. Reigns for the United States Championship and Jericho vs. Rollins at Roadblock.

The World's Largest Athlete made his way to the ring as the show headed to break.

Grade

C-

Analysis

So Rollins just now decided he was going to reignite his issues with Triple H?

He did not have any issues with The Game at all until now? No thirst for revenge after the shocking betrayal over the summer until right now, 13 days before a pay-per-view in which Triple H's return would conveniently set up one of WrestleMania's marquee matches?

The revelation of the Rollins-Jericho match was a foregone conclusion, while the matches announced for Monday night's show have been done so many times that none feel fresh.

Only Big Show's return feels meaningful, and given how infrequently he is used, that is not necessarily a good thing.

Seth Rollins vs. Big Show

Big Show, in great shape, returned to the Raw ring Monday night as he battled Rollins in the night's opener.

The giant controlled the majority of the bout early, but a dropkick to the knee allowed Rollins to momentarily catch his breath. A suicide dive did not go as planned, the smaller competitor finding himself caught in the grasp of his massive opponent.

He was deposited throat-first across the guardrail.

Owens' incessant yelling at ringside ultimately hurt him as Big Show dropped him with a chokeslam, then walked out on the match. An opportunistic Rollins added an exclamation point, delivering a Pedigree to the universal champion.

Result

No-contest.

Grade

C-

Analysis

Did Big Show turn heel, then babyface in the same freaking segment?

Nothing about this match was valuable to Raw as it prepares for Roadblock. Rollins is not facing Owens at the pay-per-view, Big Show has nothing to do with the rivalry and there was no real outcome to speak of.

Why bother?

Jack Gallagher vs. Ariya Daivari

On the heels of an impressive debut last week on 205 Live, Jack Gallagher battled Ariya Daivari in his first Raw appearance.

Gallagher fought off an oppressive assault from Daivari and scored a victory following a running dropkick.

After the match, a frustrated Daivari attacked Gallagher from behind, taking his knee out from underneath him and leaving him lying on the ground.

Result

Jack Gallagher defeated Ariya Daivari.

Grade

C-

Analysis

The string of underwhelming segments continues.

Raw has now become the setup for 205 Live, as this furthers the Gallagher-Daivari feud but does nothing to give either guy a character anyone beyond the WWE Network audience can actually care about.

This was a disappointing follow-up to Gallagher's debut, which featured a uniquely charismatic star stealing the spotlight.

Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens

Owens found himself in a tougher fight than he expected Monday as he battled friend-turned-enemy Sami Zayn in singles competition.

Zayn took the fight to the universal champion, scoring several near-falls off of Exploder suplexes and a Blue Thunder Bomb. Late in the bout, as the action spilled to the floor, he even delivered an Exploder into the guardrail that appeared to have Owens beaten.

Unfortunately, a Pop-up Powerbomb from out of nowhere ended Zayn's attempt at an upset, and Owens escaped with a victory. 

Result

Kevin Owens defeated Sami Zayn.

Grade

B

Analysis

Are Zayn and Owens capable of having a bad match? They never cease to amaze with their in-ring chemistry. Even one of the lower-end matches, which this was, is the best match on the card.

With that said, one cannot help but wish this meant more.

Zayn is a tremendous performer who cannot seem to catch a break. He can be a more interesting and compelling character, but WWE Creative has let him down more than once. His promo with Foley a week ago seemed to suggest that trend was coming to an end, but unfortunately, he was back to losing a high-profile match once more.

Business as usual, I suppose.

Rich Swann vs. TJ Perkins

A video package played prior to the bell, introducing Swann to fans who may not know much about the new cruiserweight champion.

The action between the current titleholder and the inaugural one was as fast-paced and energetic as one would expect. Perkins controlled a portion of the action and even trapped Swann in a kneebar late in the bout.

The champion countered the hold, though, and caught a flying Perkins with a kick for the win.

Result

Rich Swann defeated TJ Perkins.

Grade

B-

Analysis

This was a step in the right direction in regard to promoting Swann. The video package introduced a man fans can invest in emotionally, something that has been missing from the division.

The match itself was strong, the action nonstop and Swann looked like a star.

Of every segment on the show to this point, this was the most successful at accomplishing something vital, like making a star.

Bayley vs. Alicia Fox

Alicia Fox made her return to in-ring action for the first time since Survivor Series, looking to upset Bayley.

She was unsuccessful.

Despite a sneak attack at the bell and some early offense, she left herself open and Bayley caught her with the Bayley-to-Belly Suplex for the win.

Result

Bayley defeated Alicia Fox.

Grade

D

Analysis

Even in a squash, Bayley cannot look dominant or convincing.

This was supposed to give her a win as a setup for her eventual championship program, but unfortunately, all it really did was remind fans of how poorly utilized she has been.

Until Bayley beats Charlotte Flair or Sasha Banks on Raw or pay-per-view, the audience will have a more difficult time accepting her on the main roster as anything remotely close to a threat to either of those women. 

The Tussle in Texas: Mark Henry vs. Titus O'Neil

The Titus O'Neil Brand, a storyline that somehow continues to live on despite its utter failure in its initial weeks, invaded Raw for a Tussle in Texas against hometown hero Mark Henry.

The World's Strongest Man's victory was never in doubt.

Henry dodged a charging O'Neil and delivered his trademark World's Strongest Slam for the pinfall win.

Result

Mark Henry defeated Titus O'Neil.

Grade

D-

Analysis

One of the biggest issues with Raw is its abundance of filler. Too often, there are matches that have nothing to do with any ongoing storylines. They exist merely for the sake of existing, and that is never a good thing. 

Henry beating O'Neil does nothing to help the long-term health of Raw. Then again, neither would an O'Neil victory.

Both guys are dead in the water at this point, and one could not help but wonder if this bit of television time could not have been better utilized—perhaps on a guy like Neville, who remains M.I.A. since his return.

United States Championship Match: Roman Reigns vs. Chris Jericho

Credit: WWE.com

In the first meaningful match in nearly an hour, Roman Reigns and Chris Jericho squared off in singles competition, the former's championship up for grabs.

Jericho wrestled control of the match from his opponent, catching him with a cross-body block off the top rope as the show headed to commercial break.

Jericho cut off every attempt Reigns made at a comeback. Even after the champion executed the Drive By, Jericho was able to kick out and continue his quest to dethrone the 2015 Royal Rumble victor. He trapped Reigns in the Walls of Jericho, but the titleholder was able to escape.

Owens made his presence felt, super-kicking Reigns in a bit of interference that still led to a count of two. Dissension between the heels ultimately led to the challenger's downfall as Reigns delivered the Spear to successfully retain his title.

Result

Roman Reigns defeated Chris Jericho.

Grade

B+

Analysis

This is more like it.

Not only was the match superb, the interference from Owens led to storyline progression.

Jericho continues to be there for Owens, helping him win, but the universal champion has either been conspicuous in his absence when Jericho is in need of help or his interference proves detrimental.

It is very much a one-sided friendship and one that is beginning to fall apart at the seams as Jericho sees his "friend" for what he really is: a greedy, desperate champion taking advantage of his friendship.

Big Cass vs. Rusev

Credit: WWE.com

The storyline involving Enzo Amore's inappropriate courting of married woman Lana, and the fury it has inspired in Rusev, continued Monday night as Big Cass was slated to battle The Bulgarian Brute.

The former U.S. champion never made his presence felt, though. Instead, Cass watched with the fans as Lana appeared to be coming on to Amore in an offsite hotel room. She coerced him into taking his pants off, just in time for Rusev to appear and beat him down. 

Enzo was left lying on the ground to end the segment.

Grade

C-

Analysis

Rusev is angry that Amore views Lana as an attractive, sexual being. He then proceeds to set Enzo up by putting his wife in position to be a sexual being. The lack of logic there is staggering.

Remember when Lana was one of the stronger female characters on the show, an iron-fisted woman with the reins of the Bulgarian Brute that destroyed any and all competition put in front of him?

That woman is gone and in her place is a character unrecognizable to fans who latched on to her original persona.

Enzo is fun, a charismatic star for sure. This is not the type of story he can thrive in.

Sheamus and Cesaro vs. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson

Credit: WWE.com

The New Day watched from ringside as Cesaro and Sheamus battled Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows for the right to challenge it for the WWE Tag Team Championships and the opportunity to end its historic reign.

Cesaro unloaded with a series of uppercuts leading into the first commercial break of the bout.

Anderson and Gallows would slow The Swiss Superman down enough to isolate him from his partner. A hot tag to Sheamus led to an explosive final few minutes.

The match broke down, all four men getting their signature offense in. The involvement of The New Day late led to a three-team brawl at ringside, concluding with Kofi Kingston being launched into his teammates and no clear top contenders determined.

Result

No-contest.

Grade

C

Analysis

After weeks of interaction and repetitive tag title defenses, WWE Creative responded by booking an angle that set up a Triple Threat title match for next week's show. To someone, that may sound like a good idea. To this writer, though, it is a lazy booking idea that does nothing to ignite interest in the program.

What the division needs is new blood, perhaps in the form of a certain former NXT Tag Team Championship-winning duo.

Charlotte Flair Apologizes to Her Father

Credit: WWE.com

A week after she watched from the stands as her father, the legendary "Nature Boy" Ric Flair, embraced new Raw women's champion Sasha Banks in an endorsement of her as the top woman in the sport, Charlotte took to the squared circle for a show-closing apology to her dad.

She appeared legitimately sad that her dad embraced another woman, applauded her for her victory but accepted blame. She replayed her venomous rant on her father from this past May, reminding fans of how terrible she was to him.

As Ric made his way to the ring, the audience was sure it would get the emotional reunion it had waited for. When father and daughter embraced, it looked like a certainty.

Then Charlotte slapped her father and berated him for choosing to endorse Banks.

This drew out the new champion, who quickly found herself on the receiving end of a beating. Charlotte left her lying, and her father crying, to close out the show.

Grade

B-

Analysis

This was an overly long segment for that payoff. Even with the announcement of the 30-Minute Ironman match for Roadblock, it lacked the heat it needed to be a suitable show-closing segment.

Whereas last week's main event was an explosive bout that reiterated how special the series between Banks and Charlotte has been, this was a misfire, a promo segment that reminded fans of how unbearable Charlotte can be at times on the microphone.

Worse yet, it capped off a show that began what felt like an eternity earlier with a promo by Rollins reigniting old scars from earlier in the year.

Why Raw felt the need to go so far back in time after poor follow-up to resuscitate the Flair aspect of the storyline is a mystery but also a decision that takes the spotlight off the trailblazing women at a time when they deserve the attention.