WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from Jan. 2

WWE Raw didn't undergo any great makeover in the New Year. It's the same show, with the same pitfalls that plagued it in 2016, and the same tendency to deliver excellency in flashes.

Monday's Raw was at its best when it let Braun Strowman run amok, a leviathan unleashed upon a city. It thrived when Goldberg stood on center stage and helped create intrigue heading into the Royal Rumble pay-per-view on Jan. 29.

But in between those moments, there were a lot of underwhelming ones, as Tampa, Florida, hosted WWE for the night.

Raw continues to struggle to showcase the cruiserweight division. It has shown zero ability to get any drama out of Rusev vs. Big Cass. And it refuses to diverge from its formula for opening the show.

The year is young, but there is plenty to dissect and celebrate from the red brand already. Read on for a breakdown of the highs and lows from Monday's Raw.

Mick Foley Kicks Off Raw

Credit: WWE.com

Sporting a new haircut, Raw general manager Mick Foley quickly found himself facing off with universal champ Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho.

Owens complained about having to face Roman Reigns at the Royal Rumble. Jericho whined about Seth Rollins attacking him.

Foley told KO he would host a talk-show segment with Goldberg. Raw commissioner Stephanie McMahon soon arrived to back up Foley's decisions. She announced a Reigns vs. Jericho United States Championship match, as well as Owens vs. Rollins, where the loser would be banned from ringside for the U.S. title bout.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "You want to put me in the Cage of Jericho. Lock me in, man!"—Jericho. 
• "Who cares where he's been for the last 10 years?"—Owens on Goldberg.
• "What about us? We're national treasures!"—Owens.

Grade

C-

Analysis

A new year in the New Era, but Raw started off the same old way—with a lengthy, authority figure-heavy promo. The segment set up the bouts for the night, but it failed to entertain.

Raw too often goes for this kind of boilerplate opening.

And there has to be a better way of showcasing Owens and Jericho than having them gripe at the GM. WWE needs to approach Jeri-Ko with the same creative gusto it has with The New Day. 

Kevin Owens vs. Seth Rollins

Rollins had Owens reeling with fast-paced offense. KO seized the momentum with a nasty DDT, and the universal champ went to work pounding on his opponent.

The rivals slugged it out near the timekeeper area. Owens bashed The Architect with the ring bell, forcing the official to end the bout.

Owens tried to attack Rollins afterward, but the babyface evaded him.

Result

Rollins wins via disqualification. Owens will be banned from ringside during Reigns vs. Jericho as a result.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "I'm the man! I've told you a thousand times!"—Owens to Rollins.
•  Owens misses a cannonball and crashes into the security barricade.

Grade

C

Analysis

An OK match ended with Owens' massive mental misstep. Why wouldn't KO think attacking Rollins would cost him the bout? It's a mistake to make him look that foolish. 

The contest having something clear at stake was its best element. It's always better to have a prize awaiting the winner.

Rollins and Owens is far from a fresh matchup at this point, though, and this was nowhere near as electric as their previous efforts.

Cesaro vs. Karl Anderson

Sheamus sat in on commentary as Cesaro clashed with Karl Anderson. Meanwhile, Luke Gallows stood at ringside.

Cesaro bashed Anderson with uppercuts. His power allowed him to keep Anderson reeling. 

The heel tried to slow the bout down, but The King of Swing was able to escape or counter most of Anderson's offense. Gallows looked to distract the referee, which led to his tag team partner gaining the advantage. A neckbreaker from the top rope wrapped up the win for Anderson.

Result

Anderson wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "When we're on the same page, nobody can beat us."—Sheamus.
• Cesaro hits a running uppercut to the back of Anderson's neck.
• Cesaro bounces off the ropes to hit a springboard crossbody.

Grade

B-

Analysis

If The Club is going to properly move into title contention, it will need more wins like these. Anderson added a W to his record, and cheating to do so will give him some heat in the process.

He and Cesaro had solid chemistry, with their respective smashmouth styles meshing well together.

WWE has to be careful, however, with having these two teams clash in some form too much before their eventual title bout. Repetitive matchups have been a major issue for Raw of late.

Sami Zayn vs. Braun Strowman (Last Man Standing)

Zayn took a Kendo stick to Strowman's back early on. He found a second one and whacked the big man with the weapon.

Strowman responded with pure power.

The monster mauled Zayn, forcing him to struggle to his feet several times. Strowman clubbed his foe in the ring, near the announcers' table and backstage. In the back, each man battered the other with everything from a steel chair to a box of sound equipment.

Zayn was able to stagger Strowman, but the enraged beast left him unable to move. The referee counted to 10 as Strowman towered over his prey.

Strowman attacked Zayn after medical staff put the babyface on a stretcher.

Result

Strowman wins via 10-count.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "If you're going to be dumb, you have to be tough."—Corey Graves on Zayn.
• Strowman catches Zayn in mid-moonsault and slams him on the security barricade.
• "Have you not learned your lesson?"—Strowman.
• Zayn leaps onto Strowman, sending him crashing off the entrance ramp.
• Strowman hits two powerslams to the floor.

Grade

A

Analysis

A subpar ending hurt an otherwise outstanding, adrenaline-rich match.

Strowman and Zayn both played their roles perfectly. The behemoth devoured a never-say-die hero. Like the rest of the feud, this was a well-told story that benefited both men.

Zayn should take some time off to help sell the beatdown he took. And WWE has to build on Strowman's momentum in a hurry. He is a compelling wrecking ball who now needs new walls to smash.

Titus O'Neil vs. Xavier Woods

After taking a fighting-with-an-umbrella lesson from Jack Gallagher backstage, The New Day announced it was entering the Royal Rumble. Titus O'Neil soon cut the trio off, though.

O'Neil expressed his desire to join the team. He danced and blew a whistle to rev up the crowd. The New Day wasn't interested in adding O'Neil.

The Real Deal called Xavier Woods the group's weak link before clocking him. 

An angry O'Neil dominated Woods. He smashed him with hard strikes and flung him around the ring. Woods was able to bounce back with high-flying moves. 

A roll-up allowed Woods to get the win over his bigger opponent.

Result

Woods wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "Nobody touches my girl, but me."—Woods on his trumpet.
• "Everyone around the world would rather see your face on the back of a milk carton."—Woods to O'Neil.

Grade

B-

Analysis

More fun than most filler, the segment and bout made sure The New Day got some spotlight despite the former champs not being in the title picture for the moment. And O'Neil was able to show off some personality, which isn't a regular occurrence.  

Woods and his crew entering the Rumble match is welcome news. Their entry opens up some intriguing narrative possibilities for the Battle Royal.

WWE, though, will have to find something more substantial for The New Day to do in the near future. O'Neil is not the answer to keeping the group interesting.

Cedric Alexander vs. Drew Gulak

Backstage, Noam Dar harassed Alicia Fox to anger Cedric Alexander.

Alexander had to quickly switch his focus to Drew Gulak who had Tony Nese in his corner. The heel battered Alexander with his punishing style.

Before the babyface could mount a comeback, Nese interfered to distract him. Gulak rolled up Alexander for the win.

Result

Gulak wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "I apologize, sweet cheeks."—Dar.
• Gulak celebrates his win with a giant grin and by bouncing on the entrance ramp.

Grade

D

Analysis

Distraction finishes and short matches are not elements that will endear the cruiserweight division to fans. It's good to see Dar and Alexander develop some animosity, but the match that followed their interaction was largely forgettable.

Alexander is an amazing athlete, but we haven't had a chance to see that in action much. This current Fox-centered story needs to pick up in a hurry, too.

Roman Reigns vs. Chris Jericho (United States Championship)

The match's stipulation stated if Reigns lost by count-out or disqualification, he would lose the championship.

Jericho's opening flurry ended quickly as Reigns bowled him over. Reigns hurt himself when he crashed into the ring post, allowing Y2J to take control.

A charged-up Reigns and the crafty Jericho countered each other's signature moves. Jericho removed the padding from one of the turnbuckles to distract the referee. He then pulled a Eddie Guerrero and made it look like Reigns hit him with the U.S. title.

Jericho crashed into the exposed turnbuckle before taking a spear that kept him down for a three-count.

Result

Reigns wins via pinfall to retain the U.S. title. 

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Cole refers to anti-Reigns chants as the audience being "raucous."
• Jericho prevents a Superman Punch with a springboard dropkick.
• Reigns kicks out after a Codebreaker.

Grade

B+

Analysis

WWE did well to get creative with this rematch. Jericho came off as the wily veteran with a number of tricks in his bag. 

And it's always good when Reigns does more punching than delivering punchlines. 

It's surprising Reigns didn't lose the title here, though. The United States Championship has been held back by The Big Dog's pursuit of Owens. WWE needs to let someone else hold the gold to make it the centerpiece of a rivalry.

Brian Kendrick vs. TJ Perkins

Neville watched the bout on a monitor backstage.

Brian Kendrick pounced on TJ Perkins right after the opening bell. He maintained the advantage with nasty offense.

Perkins responded with a knee bar to put the veteran away.

Result

Perkins wins via submission.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Kendrick yanks Perkins into the ropes.
• Perkins hits a hurricanrana from the top rope.

Grade

D+

Analysis

What is WWE doing with the cruiserweight division? This kind of hurried, over-before-you-know-it bout doesn't do much for anyone.

Sure, Perkins got a win over his rival, but it had little impact. These contests feel like 2008-era women's matches—short, inconsequential, with minimal storylines.

At least, we got to see more of Perkins' arsenal than we did of Alexander's.

Big Cass vs. Jinder Mahal and Rusev

With Enzo Amore in a motorized wheelchair, Big Cass had to go it alone.

Cass fared well for a moment, knocking around Jinder Mahal. Rusev kicked him out cold soon after, however.

Result

Rusev and Mahal wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Graves compares Cass and Amore to Krang from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Grade

D-

Analysis

The Cass-Rusev rivalry has been dreadful. WWE hurried through what could have been a story of the big man surviving against two adversaries. It's the latest disappointment between these two.

At least there wasn't any sexual harassment, which has been Amore's specialty of late.

The Mahal and Rusev duo has little potential. It's a random pairing with little explanation. It only works to make The Bulgarian Brute come off as more of a low-rung star.

Bayley vs. Nia Jax (No. 1 Contender's Match)

Credit: WWE.com

Bayley met with McMahon backstage. She complained to the commish about Dana Brooke being the referee for her match last week.

McMahon called her ordinary, labeling her inferior to Charlotte Flair. She booked a No. 1 Contender's bout to give Bayley a chance to prove herself.

Flair then sat in on commentary as Nia Jax smashed on Bayley in the ring. The babyface was able to evade Jax momentarily, but felt the monster's wrath regardless.

Sasha Banks emerged to distract Jax. Bayley hit a Bayley-to-Belly Suplex from the second rope to take advantage.

Result

Bayley wins via pinfall to become the No. 1 contender.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "Like all these people here, you're ordinary. You're just Bayley!"—McMahon.

Grade

C+

Analysis

While not a stellar match or as good as their NXT encounters, there was plenty of story at play here to make it a key part of Raw.

High stakes powered the bout. Bayley needed to make a statement here, but ended up trying to survive instead. The Boss was a fun addition, too.

WWE was able to soften the blow of Jax's loss, but the distraction finish is painfully overused. 

Kevin Owens Hosts Goldberg

Credit: WWE.com

Jericho berated the fans for chanting Goldberg's name. He announced he was entering the Royal Rumble match, which upset Owens. 

Goldberg's arrival interrupted the two friends.

He refused to sit down and antagonized Jeri-Ko. Owens got in Goldberg's face.

Paul Heyman soon joined the party to talk up what Brock Lesnar would do in the Rumble match. Reigns arrived to say his piece, as well. Strowman stomped down to the scene.

Goldberg and Reigns worked together to take down Strowman.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• A man is used as the stand for the show's sign. 
• "You know what that means, Jericho? You're first."—Goldberg to Jericho.
• "Whether it's you or Roman Reigns. We got a date at WrestleMania."—Goldberg to Owens.
• Reigns and Goldberg stare each other down.
• Reigns and Goldberg hit simultaneous spears on Strowman.

Grade

A-

Analysis

WWE already has the audience buzzing for the Rumble with weeks left to go until the event.

The segment stacked a number of cool moments onto each other. Owens standing up to Goldberg was eye-catching. So was Goldberg and Reigns' own faceoff. We got to see Owens' sense of humor at play, as well as his snarling side.

And seeds of all kinds were planted, from the possibility of Jericho and Owens colliding at WrestleMania to Reigns and Goldberg meeting at that marquee event.

It was odd, though, to follow up Strowman's show of dominance earlier in the night with him getting knocked aside as he did, even with two powerhouses doing the knocking.