WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from Jan. 16

At its highest points, Monday's WWE Raw borrowed the frenetic energy of the Royal Rumble. 

Brock Lesnar returned to the red brand, offering a preview of the destruction he intends to issue at the Jan. 29 pay-per-view. Faceoffs teased potential showdowns during the Rumble match. And enemies collided on a crowded stage.

But as strong as Raw opened and closed, it stumbled on familiar storytelling issues.

A number of feuds remain the narrative equivalent of tires sputtering in the mud. Big Cass vs. Rusev, Cedric Alexander vs. Noam Dar and Titus O'Neil vs. The New Day all dragged Raw down.

The growing bad blood between the Royal Rumble field helped balance out the show's worst offerings. And Raw's handling of its women's division deserves praise, as well. 

From Lesnar's fury to Kevin Owens' vengeance, the following is a breakdown of all that unfolded on Monday's Raw.

Chaos to Open Raw

Roman Reigns recalled his days with The Shield. He talked about wanting to take down Kevin Owens at the Royal Rumble.

Paul Heyman interrupted, but didn't get to talk long. Owens and Chris Jericho emerged to say their piece. Y2J talked of a possible Owens-Jericho WrestleMania main event.

Moments later, Seth Rollins joined the party. Braun Strowman followed suit. Lesnar stepped out, glaring at all the men in the ring.

Sami Zayn sneaked into the mix, taking on Strowman. Zayn managed to be the last man in the ring after a brawl erupted, but fell victim to a Lesnar suplex.

The Beast Incarnate flattened Zayn, Reigns and watched everyone else retreat.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Fans shut up Heyman with chants for Goldberg. 
• "The storm has descended on Monday Night Raw in the form of Brock Lesnar."—Corey Graves.
• Strowman and Lesnar stared each down.

Grade

A-

Analysis

What looked like it would be a drawn-out scene in the beginning quickly picked up momentum. It showcased some intriguing matchups including Strowman and Lesnar. WWE did a good job here getting the audience psyched for the Royal Rumble by reminding us of the chaos the match brings.

The scrap also displayed Lesnar's power, reminding fans he's near the top of the WWE food chain.

Reigns' lack of emotion over losing the U.S. title speaks to how badly WWE has booked that title, though. The Miz exploded on SmackDown after dropping the Intercontinental Championship. Reigns responded to his title loss with a shrug.

Enzo Amore and Big Cass vs. Rusev and Jinder Mahal

Enzo Amore and Big Cass cleaned house in the early going, forcing the heels to retreat.

After the commercial break, Rusev and Jinder Mahal gained the advantage by punishing Amore in their corner. Cass tagged in and went on an offensive flurry. The Realest Guys in the Room finished off the quick match with Bada Boom Shakalaka.

Result

Amore and Cass win via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Rusev bounces Amore off the mat with a uranage. 

Grade

D

Analysis

This feud has gone nowhere.

It has zero electricity, and none of the matches have been memorable. The latest bout was a continuation of that trend. It had some flashes of excitement, but its narrative was crammed in too small a space.

WWE needs to find another rivalry for everyone involved. When a story is sucking the fun out of Amore and Cass, it's a sure sign for a change.

Lince Dorado vs. Ariya Daivari

Jack Gallagher sat in on commentary as Ariya Daivari and Lince Dorado went to battle.

An aggressive Daivari found himself in trouble in the bout's opening moments. Dorado's speed flustered the heel.

Daivari recovered and clamped on a Cobra Clutch for the win.

Result

Daivari wins via submission. 

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "I hardly think you're the person to talk about gentlemanly."—Gallagher to Austin Aries.

Grade

D+

Analysis

The cruiserweight division continues to get the shaft when it comes to ring time.

Daivari and Dorado didn't have room to deliver a competitive bout, and it didn't work as a squash match, either. The heel didn't come off as dominant here, just the victor in a hurried contest.

It's smart of WWE to try to get Daivari's submission hold over as he and Gallagher prepare for an I Forfeit match on Tuesday night. It would have been more memorable had Daivari held onto it past the bell, though.

Sheamus and Cesaro vs. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson (Tag Team Championship)

Cesaro and Sheamus overwhelmed Karl Anderson with fluid tag team work. The Club responded by slugging Cesaro in their corner for a long stretch. 

Luke Gallows led the way as the heels pounded on the tag team champs.

The King of Swing went on a rampage, pulling out various tools from his in-ring arsenal. A brawl broke out soon after. Sheamus clubbed the referee during the fracas, allowing The Club to land Magic Killer.

The heels thought they had the match won, but the referee disqualified Sheamus for striking him. Gallows and Anderson beat up the champs afterward.

Result

Gallows and Anderson win via disqualification, allowing Cesaro and Sheamus to retain the titles.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "They're just punishers, plain and simple."—Cole on Gallows and Anderson.
• Gallows kicks Sheamus off the ring apron.
• Cesaro hits a 619 on Anderson before diving out to the floor with a crossbody on Gallows.

Grade

B+

Analysis

This is the version of Gallows and Anderson we should have seen all along. They were vicious and powerful, sharks smelling blood.

In one of their better WWE performances, they produced a compelling slugfest opposite Cesaro and Sheamus.

The ending protected the heels, while setting up their future showdowns. The rivalry needs more layers, but the intensity has been there thus far.

Nia Jax Attacks Sasha Banks

WWE aired footage of Sasha Banks running the ropes before the show began. Officials were testing Banks' injured knee when Nia Jax interrupted.

The beast pounded on Banks' bad leg before officials pulled her off. 

In a backstage interview later in the show, Jax delighted in her destruction. She talked about being the wrestler fans should be paying attention to instead of The Boss.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "Why are you still calling her The Boss? Do people still believe that?"—Jax.
• "I broke The Boss, and now people are buzzing about the right woman."—Jax.

Grade

A

Analysis

The attack during the warm-ups was a smart, original way to advance this feud. Jax earned a good amount of heat during her display of mercilessness. 

She delivered a strong promo here, complete with clear reasoning why she has issues with Banks.

WWE is setting up a compelling story of a babyface seeking revenge. Banks charging back against the monster Jax is going to be one of Raw's better elements in the coming weeks.

Rich Swann vs. Tony Nese

Neville pounced on Rich Swann as the cruiserweight champion entered the ring. Swann fought back, kicking away at the heel's head.

Tony Nese pounced on Swann, which angered Neville. The Newcastle, England, native tossed Nese out of the ring so he could continue walloping Swann.

Result

Match never begins.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Neville leaps over the security barricade to sneak attack Swann.
• "What has happened to that man?"—Cole on Neville.
• "You bring your little unbreakable spirit because I will break you, and you will hand your championship to the one and only true king of the cruiserweights."—Neville.

Grade

A-

Analysis

The cruiserweights were able to pack an impressive amount of emotion into this short scene.

An enraged Swann, the nasty, heartless Neville and the scavenger Nese all had their moments to shine. This was exactly the kind of moment the feud needed. The attack instantly made the upcoming Neville-Swann title match more personal and compelling.

Neville has been a revelation post-heel turn. Swann will benefit greatly from clashing with him.

Now if only WWE can find something substantial for Nese to do.

Big E vs. Titus O'Neil

The New Day talked up this year's Royal Rumble match. The former tag team champs concluded that if one of them won the Rumble, they would all win.

Titus O'Neil interrupted, demanding to fight a member of their trio for their spot in the Battle Royal.

Once the match began, Big E goofed around. O'Neil outmuscled the former powerlifter. He showboated as he took control of Big E.

Big E fought back, nailing O'Neil with the Big Ending to secure the win.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "I don't want to be in The New Day because I was thinking I would replace The New Day."—O'Neil.
• O'Neil mocks Big E by slapping his torso in rhythm. 

Grade

C+

Analysis

The action was mostly silly, but it had solid stakes, giving it purpose. More wrestlers should look to earn their way into the Rumble match. 

It's hard to make an O'Neil bout appealing at this point, though. He's been a bust since The Prime Time Players split. This recent angle with The New Day has been a poor holdover tale for the former champs.

Charlotte Flair Mocks Bayley

Reflecting on her accomplishments, Charlotte Flair boasted about her superiority. She called Bayley average, noting that's why fans like her.

Flair showed photos of Bayley as a fan posing with wrestlers. She mocked Bayley's old letters and poems.

Bayley showed up looking for a fight. As Flair stood on the entrance ramp, Bayley fired off poems about beating her at the Royal Rumble.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "While Bayley was playing with pencils and writing about childhood dreams, I was competing for national championships."—Flair.
• "Does she think she actually beat someone who was born into this business?"—Flair.

Grade

B

Analysis

Things got a bit corny toward the end, and some of the verbal delivery from both women was off, but the interaction clicked on an emotional level. It painted Bayley as an everywoman, a dreamer and an underdog.

The storyline of the braggart born into wrestling royalty against the warrior who worked her way up in the industry is a smart one to build this around. That's the natural narrative to showcase Bayley's babyface acumen.

Brian Kendrick vs. Cedric Alexander

Cedric Alexander looked to be in control early on, but Brian Kendrick slowed him with stunning strikes. The Wizard of Odd and Alexander traded shots in a back-and-forth bout.

Alicia Fox came down to the ring, helping Alexander execute the Captain's Hook. She then cheered on her ex-boyfriend who took down Kendrick with a Lumbar Check.

Alexander ducked Fox after the bell, leaving her confused.

Result

Alexander wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Alexander hits a slipshot corkscrew moonsault. 
• "This whole thing is confusing to me."—Graves.

Grade

C+

Analysis

A fun, brief match featured a fiery Alexander. He and Kendrick have excellent chemistry and would make great long-term rivals.

The Fox element of Alexander's story has been underwhelming. It's supposed to be adding a layer to his feud with Noam Dar, but it's been a hindrance instead.

WWE is better off letting Fox go after the women's title as Alexander focuses on Dar alone.

6-Man Tag Team Match

Sami Zayn, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins vs. Braun Strowman, Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens

The match kicked off with fists flying everywhere. Strowman ousted Reigns from the ring once things settled down.

Zayn and Reigns took turns beating on Jericho. The Big Dog floored Owens. Strowman flung Rollins into the security barricade.

The pace picked up as the fight moved outside the ring. The babyfaces ganged up on Strowman to take him off his feet, but the big man pinned Zayn regardless.

Strowman then carried Zayn to the entrance ramp where Reigns and Rollins clobbered him. Another brawl broke out, one where Jericho and Owens powerbombed Reigns through the announcers' table.

Result

Strowman, Jericho and Owens wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Zayn fails to get Rollins and Reigns to do The Shield's signature fist pose.
• Jericho slaps Reigns in the face several times in a row.
• Rollins hits a suicide dive just before Zayn dives out of the ring over the top rope.
• Rollins hits Jericho with a Pedigree on the entrance ramp.
• "How the heck do you stop Braun Strowman?"—Cole.
• "You remember Battleground?"—Owens to Reigns before driving him through a table.

Grade

A-

Analysis

The aftermath will create more discussion than the match itself. After several strong teases of the table spot, Owens finally used the furniture as a weapon to pay back Reigns from attacking him at the Battleground PPV.

This feud has long needed more moments like this. 

The six-man tag was a fun, energy-filled bout, but the post-match brawl did more to establish animosity between all these men. Strowman's frustrations with Zayn and Owens' aggression toward Reigns furthered their respective stories.