WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from May 27

WWE may remain atop the professional wrestling mountain because of its popularity, but several key items have left the company scrambling to stay in that prominent role.

Saturday's debut show for AEW, Double or Nothing, was a rousing success. Cody Rhodes destroyed a throne with a sledgehammer as a statement to WWE before Jon Moxley, formerly Dean Ambrose, debuted after the main event.

However, competition is good for fans and often the promotions involved, as they are forced to raise their game. Where WWE is struggling more clearly is its insistence on morally questionable business practices.

With WWE Super ShowDown approaching on June 7, taking the company back to Saudi Arabia, the brand is scrambling to appease fans while also satiating the royalty of the country, a regime that many have denounced.

The pressure is fully on the company to not only overcome the growing rivalry in the background and the large backlash it has endured, but also to raise its game after struggling for weeks to put on a decent show.

The promise of multiple announcements for Super ShowDown—including Brock Lesnar returning to make his Money in the Bank cash-in official—gave the May 27 edition of Raw something to hook in the WWE Universe, but it would take more than that to get fans invested.

Brock Lesnar Refuses to Announce Cash-In; Dolph Ziggler Attacks Kofi Kingston

Kofi Kingston opened the show and called out Lesnar to cash in on him. Seth Rollins answered the challenge instead. Both made their case until The Beast Incarnate came out.

Instead of caring about either champion, though, Lesnar taunted both as he jammed out to different songs on his briefcase, which now had speakers. Advocate Paul Heyman stated that his client was not announcing anything yet because of Rollins ruining their fun.

After Lesnar and The Architect left, Dolph Ziggler attacked the WWE champion from behind and tried to lay him out again, only for Xavier Woods to make the save. The two brawled around the ring.

While the officials forced Kingston to head to the back, The Showoff looked to badly injure Woods with a steel chair. The New Day leader ended up returning to the action with a chair of his own to run off his Super ShowDown opponent.

Ziggler came back out to talk down Kofi, stating his respect for the champion but also his need to take the title away.

Grade

B-

Analysis

Lesnar fully embracing the meme he created with his jam-out session last week with the briefcase was the right decision. It gives him more personality and makes him even more hateable, as he doesn't take either current champ seriously.

This was overlong, though, with Ziggler's involvement stretching past all normal limits. It was not necessary to stuff this all in the opener, especially since it will continue on SmackDown as well.

Even with The Showoff doing some of his best work right now, he already feels like he is being overexposed.

Shane McMahon vs. Lance Anoa'i

Credit: WWE.com

Shane McMahon came out flanked by Drew McIntyre and announced he would wrestle Monday night against a member of the Samoan dynasty that includes Roman Reigns.

Reigns' cousin, Lance Anoa'i, came out to fight, but The Scottish Psychopath immediately laid him out before the bell.

After the bell rang, Anoa'i battled back against McMahon before getting caught with a back elbow into a triangle choke, which forced him to tap out.

Afterward, Shane-O-Mac kept up the attack until The Big Dog stormed the ring and ran off both heels.

Results

McMahon def. Anoa'i by submission

Grade

F

Analysis

After an overlong opening segment and repeat video packages, WWE finally got to the wrestling in a squash match that lasted about two minutes. This was an embarrassing segment that put over McMahon, who absolutely does not need it.

The AEW chants started here, and they were warranted, as WWE seems completely unaware of the fact that the competition has stepped up.

Brock Lesnar Realizes He Has a Year to Cash in Money in the Bank

Credit: WWE.com

Lesnar and Heyman returned to make the official cash-in announcement, with Rollins returning to stand up to The Beast.

However, as The Advocate began reading the Money in the Bank contract, Lesnar realized he could wait until May 19, 2020.

The Beast told off Rollins and walked away with no desire to cash in any time soon.

24/7 champion R-Truth appeared, getting chased by Raw Superstars through the ring and to the backstage area, where he would later almost get pinned in the middle of The Usos' Memorial Day celebration.

Grade

B+

Analysis

This was an entertaining twist that continued the potentially true story that Lesnar does not watch WWE at all and has no idea how any of the rules work.

Twice in the same show, The Beast was more entertaining than he has been in the past several years.

The IIconics vs. Becky Lynch and Nikki Cross

Credit: WWE.com

The IIconics looked to avenge their loss from last week with a challenge to Becky Lynch and Nikki Cross.

However, the unpredictable nature of Cross combined with the dominance of The Man was too much, and Lynch took the win over Peyton Royce with the Manhandle Slam.

Afterward, Lacey Evans headed to the ring with a mocking wave.

Results

Lynch and Cross def. The IIconics by pinfall

Grade

B-

Analysis

This was a fine tag team match, but it did not do much for anyone involved. The IIconics have yet to defend their championships against legitimate challengers for the sole reason of keeping the titles on them, but they cannot build any credibility.

Lynch certainly should not be losing right now, and Cross is gaining some needed momentum right now. However, the women's tag team champions are in dire need of a victory that they cannot get.

Cesaro vs. Ricochet

Credit: WWE.com

Ricochet and Cesaro went back to war after their match last week, and they showed off why they are two of the best in the business.

This time around, with more opportunity to heal up, Ricochet caught Cesaro with a headscissors takedown for the win.

Results

Ricochet def. Cesaro by pinfall

Grade

A-

Analysis

While this match was certainly great and the first quality part of the show, WWE's signature 50-50 booking let it down. Rather than Cesaro continuing to build momentum, he is now trapped in a feud with The One and Only where each man needs wins.

The two are great in-ring workers who have recently been offering more and more to the company. They need to actually build to title opportunities, though, rather than just stopping each other's momentum.

Braun Strowman vs. The Miz vs. Baron Corbin vs. Bobby Lashley

Credit: WWE.com

Early in the night, AJ Styles announced he was too injured to compete, and Baron Corbin attacked him in the training room.

The Miz, Braun Strowman, The Lone Wolf and Bobby Lashley spoke their piece on why they would win the Fatal 4-Way match.

The heels tried their best to eliminate The Monster Among Men from the picture, and it paid off, as The A-Lister got worn down. Lashley and Strowman fought into the crowd while Corbin hit End of Days on Miz.

Results

Corbin def. Miz, Strowman and Lashley by pinfall

Grade

B

Analysis

This was a good Fatal 4-Way match, primarily when Strowman was involved. He dominated everyone in his path until he got double-teamed. Miz wasn't able to do anything because he was the punching bag for everyone.

Corbin getting a title shot on a throwaway show makes sense, but it should be a one-off match. A lengthy program between Rollins and The Lone Wolf would be a mistake.

Bray Wyatt Introduces The Fiend on 'Firefly Fun House'

On the latest episode of "Firefly Fun House," Bray Wyatt tried to lighten things up again after explaining that his new persona is called The Fiend.

He and Abby got into an argument before Wyatt did a spider walk under a limbo pole.

Grade

B+

Analysis

As always, "Firefly Fun House" is the most interesting part of the show.

While this was a fairly limited segment, it still continued to build up Wyatt's odd split personalities. He should get to wrestle soon, and it will hopefully keep the entertainment going.

Sami Zayn Calls Out Seth Rollins; Seth Rollins vs. Sami Zayn

Credit: WWE.com

Sami Zayn fielded odd questions from the WWE Universe in an electric chair until someone asked him about becoming universal champion.

Zayn said he could be champ whenever he wanted, which set off Rollins, who stormed the ring and threw out the chair.

The Underdog from the Underground pushed the universal champion to his limit, but The Beastslayer ultimately emerged victorious by taking down Zayn with the Stomp.

Results

Rollins def. Zayn by pinfall

Grade

C-

Analysis

The opening promo to set up the match was an absolute mess that made no sense. It felt like a waste of Zayn even when it was attempting to set him up against Rollins. Nothing worked with the segment.

The match that followed should have made up for it, but the two were only fine together, working with a flat crowd that was worn down by a bad night. No one benefited from this sloppily set up main event.