WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights for January 27

On the heels of a historic Royal Rumble event that saw Drew McIntyre and Charlotte Flair cash their tickets to WrestleMania 36, WWE Raw hit the USA Network airwaves Monday with a broadcast dedicated to continuing ongoing storylines and giving fans a taste of what they can expect on the road to wrestling's biggest night.

Throw in a major clash between Liv Morgan and Lana as their rivalry continued, and you have a newsworthy episode on the company's longest-running program.

What went down, how did each segment grade out and what were the implications on the characters and performers involved?

Find out with this recap of the January 27 show.

Drew McIntyre Kicks Off Raw, Battles The O.C.

Credit: WWE.com

Just 24 hours after scoring the biggest win of his career, Drew McIntyre kicked off Raw to a thunderous ovation. Chants of "you deserve it" poured from stands as an emotional McIntyre soaked it in.

McIntyre said half of the boys in the back are afraid of Brock Lesnar. But him? He knew he could eliminate The Beast at the Royal Rumble, and he knows he can defeat him for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania.

"Who's got the balls to fight Drew McIntyre?" he asked moments after expressing his desire to unleash some Claymores.

The O.C.'s Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows hit the ring and offered to fight McIntyre, to which the Rumble winner proposed a handicap match.

McIntyre dropped Gallows with the Glasgow Kiss and unloaded on Anderson with consecutive overhead suplexes. He ultimately put away the so-called Best Tag Team in the World with the Claymore.

After the match, a vengeful Lesnar attacked, leveling McIntyre and leaving him lying before a tense staredown sent the show to the first commercial of the night.

Result

McIntyre defeated Anderson and Gallows

Grade

A

Analysis

After winning the Rumble, there was a natural excitement surrounding McIntyre, so it makes sense the company would want to kick off the show with him. He fed off the crowd's energy, and his official challenge to Brock Lesnar drew exactly the reaction you would hope for.

The fans stayed with him through his obliteration of The O.C., suggesting it was not a case of excitement following his defining win. Instead, they are firmly behind the Scot and ready to back him as he embarks on a journey to WrestleMania and a date with The Beast Incarnate.

Rey Mysterio vs. MVP

Credit: WWE.com

WWE hopped in the Wayback Machine, traveling to 2009 for the night's next match as Rey Mysterio battled the returning MVP, just one night after the latter made a surprise return at the Royal Rumble.

Mysterio used MVP's aggression against him, dodging a blind charge and downing the former United States champion with a seated senton heading into the break.

Back from the commercial timeout, MVP controlled the match. Another blind charge resulted in boots to the face and a headscissors into the middle turnbuckle for Mysterio. A seated senton followed, and Rey delivered a springboard moonsault for a count of two.

MVP recovered and answered with the Ballin' Elbow for a near-fall. Mysterio survived, delivered the 619 to the back of MVP and finished him off with a springboard frog splash.

Result

Mysterio defeated MVP

Grade

C+

Analysis

This was indisputable evidence that Mysterio's ability to move at the speed that he does, at his age, is incredible. MVP relished the opportunity to perform for the WWE Universe—that was obvious—but he was clearly breathing heavily late in the match. The result of the apparent conditioning issues was a finish that certainly looked botched.

The question now is whether this means MVP is back long-term or if this was simply an opportunity to compete on Raw for the first time in nearly a decade. He clearly still has command of the audience, and more consistency will allow him to regain his in-ring form.

Aleister Black in Action

Credit: WWE.com

Aleister Black squared off with another unnamed competitor this week, obliterating him with Black Mass in mere seconds.

He then took a microphone and addressed Buddy Murphy, The Best Kept Secret having eliminated him in the Royal Rumble. Seated in the middle of the ring, he menacingly vowed revenge.

Result

Black defeated the unnamed opponent

Grade

A

Analysis

It has been a long time since we have seen a vengeful Black on WWE television.

No longer needing to beg for a fight, he has one in his sights with a faction that is at the top of the Raw brand. The result? A sustained push that will put him on a collision course with established main event talent like Seth Rollins, thus enhancing his stature on the red brand.

Of course, all of this should have happened a year ago when the former NXT champion made the jump to the main roster, but better late than never, as they say.

It is time WWE maximizes the talent of Black and basks in the rewards of the eerily captivating star with the dark aura.

Samoa Joe and Kevin Owens Outsmart Seth Rollins and Buddy Murphy

Credit: WWE.com

New Raw tag team champions Seth Rollins and Buddy Murphy hit the ring, one week after defeating the seemingly unconquerable Viking Raiders for the gold. The Monday Night Messiah spoke on the win and answered the challenge of Samoa Joe and Kevin Owens for the night, claiming to be in a fighting mood.

Owens and Joe arrived, suggesting the eagerness to fight was the product of some scheme by the heels that would end with AOP attacking them. When Rollins and Murphy revealed Akam and Rezar were in the locker room, Viking Raiders came from out of nowhere to attack AOP, ensuring Rollins and Murphy had no backup as they prepared to defend their newly won titles.

The babyfaces made their way to the ring as the show headed to break.

Grade

A

Analysis

It was refreshing to see two babyfaces that were not total idiots.

Owens and Joe sniffed out a sneak attack and perpetrated one of their own, getting to the heels before they could be gotten to first.

From a fan's perspective, it also gives the impression that the heroes are about to get a fair shot at dethroning the cowardly heels. Time will tell if that is what happens, but for now, it was a nice cliffhanger to lure fans back in after the break.

Samoa Joe and Kevin Owens vs. Seth Rollins and Buddy Murphy

Credit: WWE.com

The aggressive champions found success early as Joe pummeled away at Murphy, backing him into the corner and peppering him with jabs. Owens followed up, unloading on The Best Kept Secret and taunting Rollins with a DX-inspired crotch chop.

The early onslaught by the challengers came to an end as Rollins and Murphy teed off on Joe. An ill-advised corner splash by Rollins led to him crashing and burning at ringside and Joe re-establishing momentum heading into the break.

During the break, the medical team forced Joe from the match, leaving Owens to challenge for the gold on his own. A big frog splash to Rollins nearly won KO the match and titles, but the Monday Night Messiah kicked out at two.

Owens absorbed sustained offense from Murphy and fought back, nearly winning the match again were it not for a well-timed breakup from Rollins. Owens dropped the Messiah with the stunner, and an alert Murphy rolled him up for the win and successful title defense.

Result

Rollins and Murphy defeated Owens and Joe

Grade

B+

Analysis

This was a really fun match with some solid booking.

WWE Creative put itself in a corner by scheduling this match for the show but escaped thanks to clever storytelling that saw Joe eliminated from the match and Owens left to fight their foes. KO was resilient, surviving the arsenals of Rollins and Murphy, but took his eye off the proverbial ball for one moment and paid for it dearly.

The champions narrowly escaped with their titles, building more heat for their recent alliance, while the babyfaces look like surefire victors if and when the teams meet again.

United States Championship Match: Humberto Carrillo vs. Andrade

Credit: WWE.com

After defeating Humberto Carrillo on the Royal Rumble Kickoff Show, Andrade defended his United States Championship against the 205 Live export for the second time in as many nights.

An aggressive Carrillo took the fight to Andrade, tossing him into the timekeeper's position. The champion recovered, though, and took Carrillo back into the ring, where he was unabashed in his arrogance and unforgiving in his intensity as he stomped away at the babyfaced challenger.

Carrillo created separation heading into the break.

Back from the commercial, the challenger attempted a springboard arm drag, but Andrade slammed him to the mat. El Idolo followed up with a submission, looking to force a tapout from his rival. Carrillo powered out, but Andrade dropped him with a powerbomb to cut him off again.

Later, Andrade called for the hammerlock DDT, but Carrillo countered and delivered an enzuigiri. Carrillo scaled the ropes and delivered a big moonsault, but Zelina Vega broke up the pin, drawing a disqualification and ensuring the championship would remain around her associate's waist.

After the match, an enraged Carrillo sent Andrade into the steel steps and then dropped him with his own hammerlock DDT onto the exposed concrete floor to a nice ovation from the fans.

Result

Carrillo defeated Andrade via disqualification

Grade

B+

Analysis

This was another very solid match from champion and challenger, but the key to the increase in grade over Sunday's match was the angle that came after the bell.

Carrillo has been so nondescript from a character standpoint that the fans absolutely needed to see the more aggressive side of him. They had to know he was not some clean-cut babyface who would shake off the sickening attack he endured at the hands of Andrade and keep fighting the good fight.

He needed to show a vengeful attitude and be able to prove a turnabout was fair play.

He did here, and the fans' reaction to his DDT on Andrade is proof positive of how important that little development is to Carrillo's ability to get over with audiences in a way he has not been able to up to this point.

Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka

Credit: WWE.com

One night after winning the women's Royal Rumble, Charlotte Flair teased announcing who she would challenge at WrestleMania. Before the braggadocios Queen could reveal her choice, Asuka and Kairi Sane interrupted. A back-and-forth gave way to a beatdown by The Kabuki Warriors heading into the break.

After the commercial, Flair battle The Empress of Tomorrow in a rematch of their WrestleMania 34 epic.

Late in the match, a flurry of counters and reversals gave way to Flair applying the Figure-Eight for what appeared to be the victory. Instead, Sane scaled the ropes and delivered the InSane Elbow for the disqualification.

Flair fended Sane off, leaving Asuka to make the save and drag her partner to safety.

Result

Flair defeated Asuka

Grade

C+

Analysis

Flair and Asuka have wicked in-ring chemistry, but quality action could not mask what was a segment that accomplished nothing.

The Queen did not announce her choice, while the women's tag team champions were punked by one woman and left to retreat as fans were reminded once more that Flair trumps all.

We get it, Charlotte is a transcendent performer. She's one of the finest in-ring performers in the world today and the standard-bearer in women's wrestling. What we do not need is for her to continue oppressing the rest of the roster in the name of championship opportunity and constant reminders of her greatness.

24/7 Championship Match: No Way Jose vs. Mojo Rawley

Credit: WWE.com

WWE 24/7 champion Mojo Rawley introduced the world to his new "offensive lineman" Riddick Moss, stating he would have his blind side. Moss would get his first test on this night.

Rawley made short work of his opponent, No Way Jose, planting him and picking up the successful title defense in mere seconds.

Suddenly, one of Jose's conga line members entered the ring and rolled up Rawley to win the title. It was apparent quickly that R-Truth was the Superstar behind the costuming. Moss cut off Truth's escape, though, and Rawley downed him to regain his title.

The heels stood tall to close out the segment.

Result

Rawley defeated Jose; Truth defeated Rawley; Rawley defeated Truth

Grade

C

Analysis

Moss likely did not foresee his shot at a main roster run coming as the muscle for Rawley, but it at least gives him something to do at a time when he was getting nothing in NXT.

The segment itself was more of what we have come to expect from the 24/7 title of late but with the new wrinkle of Moss providing backup for the champion. How long the longtime developmental star can resist the urge to betray Rawley and earn his first championship is the real question.

All things considered, at least WWE Creative is trying something new with Moss and Rawley. That is more than welcome given the repetitive formula the title had fallen into.

Liv Morgan vs. Lana

Credit: WWE.com

The weeks-long rivalry between Liv Morgan and Lana wrote its latest chapter Monday as the women squared off in singles competition.

What should have been a red-hot match suffered from a burned-out crowd.

An aggressive Morgan barely gave Lana any time to create separation, overwhelming and oppressing The Ravishing Russian en route to an impressive pinfall victory.

Commentator Jerry "The King" Lawler informed the audience he did not think this was the end of the issues between the competitors as Morgan celebrated her win.

Result

Morgan defeated Lana

Grade

D

Analysis

What a massive disappointment this was.

Given the amount of television time and creative energy that had gone into everything leading into it, this felt like an afterthought of a match. Morgan bowled over Lana to little fanfare, and the absence of Rusev and Lashley gave it a more conclusive feel than Creative was likely hoping for.

Morgan needed the win because she certainly feels like a Superstar whose momentum has dwindled away to nothing since her return during the Lana-Lashley wedding, but one cannot help but think this had the complete opposite effect management hoped for.

Erick Rowan in Action

Credit: WWE.com

Erick Rowan looked to shake off his disappointing Royal Rumble performance against another unfortunate, unknown soul.

He blasted his opponent with a massive dropkick and finished him off in short order with the Iron Claw.

Result

Rowan won

Grade

F

Analysis

Can we either reveal what is in the stupid cage or scrap this whole thing already?

Watching Rowan beat jobbers every week has a shelf life, and that shelf life passed two months ago. It is time to deliver the payoff to this storyline or move on because boredom struck way too long ago for the endgame to be worth it.

The Rated-R Superstar Returns

Credit: WWE.com

Edge made his return to Raw, fresh off an epic return in Sunday's Royal Rumble match.

Emotional as he stood in the center of the squared circle, the fans raining down on him with their appreciation and love, he chalked up his return to the one quality he has that no one else can deny: grit.

Randy Orton interrupted his former tag team partner's promo and embraced him. Taking a microphone, The Viper called Edge his brother and the one man who could pull him out of the hole the younger, self-destructive Orton put himself in.

Orton asked Edge what he thought of a potential Rated RKO return, to which the fans greeted with a thunderous "Yes!" chant.

Then Orton pulled the rug out from under everyone, dropping Edge with an RKO to a chorus of boos. He blasted the returning hero with a steel chair and then teased doing serious damage with the weapon, which he fastened around the Hall of Famer's head.

Instead, he retrieved two more chairs from ringside and proceeded to deliver a sickening con-chair-to, drawing the utter disdain of the fans.

The Viper stood tall to close out the show, his former partner lying facedown in the center of the ring, his return potentially over before it ever really got started.

Grade

A+

Analysis

The raw emotion shown by Edge was fantastic, and his promo was exactly what you would hope from a triumphant veteran returning to the industry that made him a star. There was no hiding how happy he was to be back in the role of professional wrestler, and it helped make the segment that much more effective.

It was Orton's performance, though, that elevated this to the next level.

The Viper cut one of his finest promos in years, an open and honest portrayal of one of his closest friends and someone responsible for his survival in the industry. By painting that picture, he set fans up for the shock of his betrayal.

The beating, the sickening chair work and the hesitation on display from Orton were all pitch-perfect and viscerally effective.

On a night when WWE absolutely needed to punch the audience in the gut with a red-hot angle it could convince fans to invest themselves in, it delivered with a fantastic conclusion to the broadcast.