WWE Roadblock 2016 Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights

WWE Roadblock: End of the Line wrapped up 2016 by giving fans several moments to chew on, savor and discuss by the water cooler.

Charlotte Flair left Sasha Banks bloodied, broken and limping away from the ring without her crown. WWE again ended The Boss' run too early, but it was hard not to be moved by the drama these warriors produced.

Chris Jericho laid out Kevin Owens, only to hug him afterward. Chaos followed, which set up some intriguing stories ahead.

Sami Zayn loudly rejected his general manager's attempt to save him as he took on the beastly Braun Strowman. This clash of underdog and monster was an outside-the-box success.

Sunday's Raw-exclusive pay-per-view's in-ring contests may not have won over the entire WWE audience, but one can't call Roadblock uneventful. The show featured a pair of title changes, a historic women's match and Neville embracing his inner darkness.

Read on for a breakdown of where the PPV thrived and where it stumbled, complete with highlights and letter grades for all the night's action.

Big Cass vs. Rusev (Pre-Show)

Enzo Amore called out Rusev and Lana before the bout. He and Big Cass did a Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer bit. 

Big Cass then slugged Rusev all over the ring. He dominated The Bulgarian Brute, who tried to escape into the stands.

Lana distracted Amore to open him up for a sneak attack from Rusev. The heel slipped into the ring just before the referee counted to 10.

Result

Rusev wins via count-out. 

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "My words have the legs of a 7-footer."—Amore

Grade

D-

Analysis

What an underwhelming first act of this feud. The match lacked the intensity it needed. And it did little to entice fans to stay tuned in.

This storyline remains uncomfortable and off-the-mark.

Why should we root against Rusev here? He's the victim—a man trying to defend his wife's honor. Amore's character, meanwhile, is veering off in the wrong direction. 

The New Day vs. Sheamus and Cesaro (Raw Tag Team Championship)

The New Day celebrated being the longest-reigning WWE tag team champions ever. 

Cesaro popped Kofi Kingston in the mouth with a dropkick out of the gate. The King of Swing and Sheamus teamed up on Kingston, beating up the champ in their corner.

Big E led a comeback, leaving Sheamus reeling.

Things turned chaotic when Sheamus inadvertently clocked Cesaro, and Xavier Woods nailed The Swiss Superman with a cheap shot. Woods tried to aid his team by distracting the challengers.

But Sheamus and Cesaro continued to survive. In the end, The Celtic Warrior leaped on Kingston to pin the high-flyer.

The New Day embraced Cesaro before having to hand over the titles.

Result

Sheamus and Cesaro win via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• The New Day dons Christmas-themed tights.
• Kingston calls Sheamus and Cesaro a number of names, including "The Fellowship of the Swing" and "Swing Low, Swiss Chariot."
• Cesaro uppercuts Kingston out of the air.
• Big E flies out of the ring to deliver a spear to Sheamus.
• Cesaro delivers a hurricanrana to Kingston from the top rope.
• Sheamus and Cesaro fake a tag to trick Kingston.

Grade

B+

Analysis

More hype and better buildup would have made this an even bigger moment. Still, it's huge for Cesaro and Sheamus to end The New Day's historic reign.

High-octane action kicked off the PPV the right way.

There was plenty to leave fans talking after the bout, too. Cesaro's teamwork and tension with Sheamus foreshadowed how intriguing this reign will be. The champs showed off more heel tendencies that hinted at a future turn. 

The Raw tag team division did well to keep itself interesting heading into 2017.

Sami Zayn vs. Braun Strowman (10-Minute Time Limit)

Zayn used his speed to evade and fluster Strowman early. The big man, though, grabbed hold of the underdog and pounded him into the canvas.

Strowman dished out a methodical offense.  

Zayn fought back but spent much of the bout punch-drunk. Strowman repeatedly lifted his foe up before the referee could count to three.

Raw general manager Mick Foley emerged with a white flag in hand. Zayn begged Foley not to throw it.

Strowman ran into the ring post and barreled through the security barricade. That opened the door for Zayn to go on offense and hold back the beast until time ran out.

Result

Zayn wins by lasting the time limit.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Strowman slams Zayn's face onto the ring apron.
• "Lure him to the top of Mt. Washington and get somebody to help push him off."—Corey Graves on what his strategy would be against Strowman.
• "You'll save his life by throwing the towel in."—Strowman to Foley.
• Fans chant "Delete!" in reference to Matt Hardy.

Grade

A-

Analysis

While not the standard heavy-workload match that fans so often adore, a unique story and plenty of drama made for an excellent collision.

Both wrestlers shone in their roles. The bout balanced Strowman looking unstoppable and Zayn looking gutsy.

The ending set up the next chapter, where either Zayn can cut the giant at the knees, or Strowman can finish what he didn't get to at Roadblock.  

Seth Rollins vs. Chris Jericho

Chris Jericho and Seth Rollins traded the advantage as the foes stuck to mat wrestling at first. A thumb to the eye left The Architect on the defensive.

Jericho mocked his opponent as he punished him. 

Rollins eventually charged back. He flew at Y2J, his momentum building. The rivals left each other drained as they traded shots.

Kevin Owens ran down to help his buddy, Jericho. The distraction led to Jericho losing. Rollins hit a Pedigree for the win.

Result

Rollins wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Rollins leaps off the ring apron to deliver a flying knee.
• Rollins pushes Jericho out of the ring to prevent a Lionsault.
• "He's going to quit!"—Jericho while putting Rollins in the Walls of Jericho.

Grade

C-

Analysis

A plodding pace and a distraction finish led to an underwhelming match. Rollins and Jericho didn't match the aggression their rivalry dictated. And this was not nearly as compelling of a performance as these two Superstars are capable of.

WWE is more focused on Jericho and Owens' story than furthering Rollins' issues with Y2J. That will lead to a hell of a showdown between former best friends.

But the Rollins-Jericho tale is poised to be a letdown along the way.

Rich Swann vs. TJ Perkins vs. The Brian Kendrick (Cruiserweight Championship)

Rich Swann, The Brian Kendrick and TJ Perkins all attacked each other from the get-go.

The champion used thunderous kicks to rattle his foes. Kendrick and Perkins each clamped on their signature submission holds in pursuit of victory.

Swann knocked Perkins out with a spinning kick. He easily scored a three-count.

Neville stepped out and throttled both Swann and Perkins. 

Result

Swann retains via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Swann hits a double hurricanrana on both Kendrick and Perkins.
• Perkins and Swann both superkick Kendrick.
• Perkins releases his kneebar on Swann in the ropes despite there being no disqualifications in the match.
• "Why? Why?"—Swann to Neville. 

Grade

C+

Analysis

The match itself was a disappointment. WWE continues to struggle to translate the action we saw on the Cruiserweight Classic to the main roster.

The bout didn't feature the electric action these three men have built their careers on.

The addition of Neville to the cruiserweight division, though, is an excellent move. WWE has wasted his talent for much of the year. A change in attitude and a new focus as part of a world where he will flourish are no-brainers.

That move added a heavy dose of energy to the cruiserweight division.

Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte Flair (Iron Man Match for Raw Women's Championship)

Sasha Banks and Charlotte Flair began the clash cautiously, feeling each other out on the mat.

The Boss stayed atop Flair early. She frustrated the challenger with submission holds and a series of counters. Banks was unable to score a fall, however.

Flair tripped Banks and sent her flying face-first into the ring steps. The momentum shifted, and The Queen dominated the champ.

Natural Selection allowed Flair to score the first fall. Banks tied it up quickly with a roll-up. Banks soon moved into the lead by forcing a submission with the Bank Statement.

An angry Flair responded by blasting Banks' knee and focusing on that weak spot from that point on. The Queen locked Banks in the Figure Eight Leglock, forcing her foe to hold on for nearly a minute in the painful hold.

Banks tapped just as time expired.

The referee announced the match would go into overtime. Flair continued to work on Banks' bad wheel. The champion, her nose bloodied at this point, could not fight through another Figure Eight.

Result

Flair wins 3-2 to win the the Raw Women's Championship.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Banks does the famous Flair "Woo!" and Flair strut.
• "Charlotte is making her own legacy. She doesn't need any heroes."—Graves.
• Banks hits her double knees off the ring apron.
• Banks takes a nasty spill onto the ring steps.
• Flair drives her knee into Banks' leg while The Boss is tied up in the ropes.
• "What a beautiful ending to a beautiful story."—Graves.

Grade

A+

Analysis

Time flew by in a lengthy, dramatic work of theater.  A compelling story played out on the canvas as the rivals pushed each other to their limits once again.

The contest deftly used the Iron Man stipulation to add intrigue.

The result, though, is bewildering. WWE switching the title back so many times has hurt the power of each title win. It's hard to get invested in the new champion at this point.

WWE must let someone hold on to the gold for a sustained stretch now.

Kevin Owens vs. Roman Reigns (Universal Championship)

Credit: WWE.com

Kevin Owens retreated from Roman Reigns from the onset. When The Big Dog caught the universal champ, he tagged with right hands.

Outside the ring, Owens gained the advantage by bashing Reigns in the ribs. KO grounded Reigns for a long stretch.

The opponents slugged it out, each man briefly owning the momentum.  

Owens overpowered Reigns. The U.S. champ fired back with his signature high-impact moves. KO looked to end the back-and-forth battle by smashing Reigns with the universal title.

Jericho ran out and laid out Owens with a Codebreaker. He then handed the title to Owens, and the two buddies celebrated together.

Rollins entered, and he and Reigns attacked both Jericho and Owens.

Result

Owens wins via disqualification, retaining the title as a result.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Reigns slings Owens into the barricade.
• Owens hits a senton off the ring steps.
• "If you're so tough, how come you didn't put your title on the line, huh?"—Owens to Reigns.
• Owens hits a swinging fisherman suplex from the top rope.
• Owens hits two frog splashes onto Reigns atop the announcers' table.
• Reigns counters a superkick with a powerbomb.
• Reigns and Rollins powerbomb Owens through a table on the entrance ramp.

Grade

A

Analysis

A more aggressive Owens, playing a menacing, serious heel again, was refreshing. He and Reigns put on a strong effort, although a lot of rest holds hurt the action early.

Some fans won't be thrilled with a disqualification finish, but it made perfect sense with the story. And Jericho and Owens' reunion was a powerful sight. The same goes for Reigns and Rollins working together again.

The chaos at the end and after the bout will create plenty to buzz about after the PPV.