8 match grades for Monday Night Raw (21 September 2018)

This week on WWE Monday Night Raw, the likes of Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, Dolph Ziggler, Drew McIntyre, Baron Corbin, Bobby Lashley, and Elias were all in action. This week's Raw also featured appearances from The Undertaker and Ronda Rousey.

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#1 Drew McIntyre vs Dean Ambrose

Drew McIntyre faced off with Dean Ambrose in Monday Night Raw's first match of the night

Result: Drew McIntyre defeated Dean Ambrose via pinfall with The Claymore.

Grade: B+

Analysis: This was Dean Ambrose's best singles match since his return to WWE. This was also one of Drew McIntyre's best performances in singles matches since facing Seth Rollins a few months ago on the main roster.

It was interesting to see Dean Ambrose use a more mat-based, technical wrestling style instead of using his usual brawling style (which he still used in this match). It is a little surprising to see Dean Ambrose take a pinfall loss so soon into his WWE return, but this win really benefited Drew McIntyre.

The finish was also great because Drew McIntyre simply outsmarted Dean Ambrose, and it was not like either competitor was the better man.

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#2 Chad Gable (w./Bobby Roode) vs Viktor (w./Konnor)

The rivalry between Chad Gable & Bobby Roode and The Ascension was continued this week on Raw

Result: Chad Gable defeated Viktor via pinfall with the O'Connor Roll German Suplex.

Grade: C

Analysis: Chad Gable has such an explosive style that he can make a squash match such as this interesting. However, we have seen same combination of Chad Gable and Bobby Roode/Ascension for the last 3 weeks on Monday Night Raw, and it is starting to get boring.

Chad Gable & Bobby Roode have gotten the better of the Ascension for the past 3 weeks so you would think that they are done. However, this feud is obviously continuing as Konnor attacked them both after the match. Hopefully, Bobby Roode & Chad Gable can soon move on to a rivalry with a team such as the B-Team.

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#3 Bayley (w./Sasha Banks) vs Dana Brooke

Dana Brooke hoped to do things all by herself this week on Raw

Result: Bayley defeated Dana Brooke via pinfall with the Bayley-to-Belly.

Grade: C+

Analysis: This was a pretty decent match. Dana Brooke has certainly improved since she first debuted on the main roster and has started to become a perfectly competent worker. If she continues to improve, she can become one of WWE's top workers.

However, WWE needs to figure out what to do with the Boss 'N' Hug Connection. They have been directionless since August and they are too talented to have nothing to do on Monday Night Raw. While it is nice to see them get wins, WWE needs to announce the Women's Tag Team Titles so this partnership isn't for nothing.

#4 The Authors of Pain (w./Drake Maverick) vs Local Competitors

The Authors of Pain continued their dominance on Monday Night Raw

Result: The Authors of Pain defeated the Local Competitors via pinfall with the Super Collider.

Grade: C-

Analysis: These squash matches are starting to get boring. The Authors of Pain have been involved in these squash matches for the past 3 weeks.

While it's nice that WWE are trying to repackage the Authors of Pain after a pretty mediocre spring and summer, the Authors of Pain need to start facing other opponents. Hopefully next week, the Authors of Pain will face a new team like Heath Slater & Rhyno or the B-Team (but definitely not Titus Worldwide again).

#5 Intercontinental Championship: Seth Rollins vs Dolph Ziggler

Dolph Ziggler finally invoked his Intercontinental Championship rematch

Result: Seth Rollins defeated Dolph Ziggler via pinfall with The Stomp to retain the Intercontinental Championship.

Grade: B

Analysis: This was a pretty good match. Seth Rollins & Dolph Ziggler will never have a poor match, but this match was a step down from other matches they have had.

Their matches throughout the summer were better than this, but it was nice to see the Intercontinental Championship defended after not being defended at Hell in a Cell due to the Raw Tag Team Title match.

Hopefully, WWE will stop having singles matches between these superstars and will allow a different superstar such as Elias or Kevin Owens challenge for the Intercontinental Title (but the Raw Tag Team Title feud can continue).

#6 Bobby Lashley vs Elias

Bobby Lashley & Elias finally had

a singles

match against each other

Result: Elias defeated Bobby Lashley via disqualification after Lio Rush attacked Elias. Bobby Lashley then used Lio Rush as a weapon when he threw him onto Kevin Owens & Elias.

Grade: B-

Analysis: It is about time these two face each other in a one on one match. They have been involved in an on and off again feud since WrestleMania, and this is the first time they've faced each other in a regular singles match.

This wasn't much of a match, but these two superstars showed the potential to have an excellent singles match in the future. Lio Rush is thriving in his new role as Bobby Lashley's manager and his evasions of Kevin Owens & Elias was excellent.

Bobby Lashley has needed someone to do the talking for him, so this was a great move. It was also nice that as soon as Lio Rush said something about Kevin Owens, Kevin Owens came out to attack him.

It shows off the fact that Kevin Owens is a new man, and his aggression was excellently showcased. This was also a wise way to start the build for John Cena & Bobby Lashley vs Kevin Owens & Elias at the Super Show-Down.

#7 Ember Moon & Nia Jax vs Alicia Fox & Mickie James (w./Alexa Bliss)

Nia Jax made her return to the Raw Women's Division

Result: Nia Jax & Ember Moon defeated Alicia Fox & Mickie James via pinfall when Nia Jax pinned Alicia Fox with the Samoan Drop.

Grade: B

Analysis: It is great to see that Raw's entire women's division appeared in one segment, this includes a returning Nia Jax. It is great to see Nia Jax back on Raw, and the crowd certainly appreciated her return.

It is interesting that WWE seems to be teasing an alliance between Ember Moon & Nia Jax. It is excellent to see Ember Moon being showcased on Raw, although I hope WWE isn't going back to the Nia Jax vs Alexa Bliss feud. Maybe Nia Jax could turn on Ember Moon in time for a Nia Jax vs Ember Moon match at Evolution.

#8 Universal Title No DQ Match: Roman Reigns vs Baron Corbin

Roman Reigns defended his title for the third time on Raw

Result: Roman Reigns defeated Baron Corbin via pinfall with a Spear.

Grade: C+

Analysis: WWE needs to stop overbooking Roman Reigns' title matches. They keep involving other wrestlers to try and stop the crowd from booing Roman Reigns. However, this is taking away from the quality of his matches.

At Hell in a Cell, Roman Reigns & Braun Strowman had their worst match with each other. If WWE had allowed Baron Corbin & Roman Reigns to have a regular no disqualification match, they could've had an excellent match (their last match with each other was much better).

If WWE had to involve other men, why was Finn Balor not involved? It's not like he had another match on the show. This way the heels wouldn't have looked bad for having been taken out even though they had a 4 to 3 advantage. Finn Balor also has reasons to be angry at all 4 heels. Hopefully, WWE will just have 3 men involved in the match at Crown Jewel.

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