Grading each match on Raw this week (10 September 2018)

This week's Raw included a Raw Tag Team Title match, a tag team match involving Raw Women's Champion Ronda Rousey, Finn Balor vs Elias, & Nikki Bella's first singles match since 2017. This show also included buildup for Hell in a Cell as it is this Sunday. Who was able to gain the most momentum this week? Let's find out:

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#1 Nikki Bella (w/ Brie Bella) vs Ruby Riott (w/ Sarah Logan & Liv Morgan)

'The Fearless One' faced one of the rising stars of Raw's women's division.

Result: Nikki Bella defeated Ruby Riott via pinfall with the Rack Attack 2.0.

Grade: B

Analysis: Nikki Bella had her first singles match since 2017. She faced Ruby Riott in a fairly decent match. Nikki looked much better than she did last week. Ruby Riott dominated the entire match which made sense as she has been competing throughout the entire year while Nikki has only had 3 matches this year.

The only problem with this match was the finish. Nikki Bella held Ruby in the fireman's carry for a decent amount of time before hitting her finisher and it looked like Ruby Riott could have easily countered it. Other than that, there were no problems with this match.

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#2 The Authors of Pain vs Local Competitors

The Authors of Pain were in action with their new manager Drake Maverick.

Result: The Authors of Pain defeat Ronnie Ace & Nathan Bradley via pinfall with the Super Collider.

Grade: C+

Analysis: We have seen this before many times, however, at the very least WWE is giving them some television time. It is also nice to see that WWE is trying to establish the Authors of Pain as a dominant force in the tag team division. However, the Authors of Pain are going to need to be placed in an actual feud (maybe with the B-Team) if they are going to thrive on Monday Night Raw.

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#3 Raw Tag Team Titles: Dolph Ziggler & Drew McIntyre (c) vs The B-Team

Drew McIntyre & Dolph Ziggler had their first title defense on Raw.

Result: Drew McIntyre & Dolph Ziggler defeated the B-Team via pinfall with the Claymore/Zig Zag combo. Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose then attacked them after the match,

Grade: B-

Analysis: McIntyre & Dolph Ziggler faced the B-Team in what was a glorified squash match. The new champs dominated most of the matchup as they should. No offense to the B-Team, but they are extremely underwhelming. Bo Dallas did make a spirited comeback near the end but he was quickly put in his place by McIntyre & Ziggler.

The tag team title match between McIntyre & Ziggler and Rollins & Ambrose (that was set up by the Shield's attack after the match) at Hell in a Cell certainly has the potential to steal the show. The winner of that match can face off with the likes of the Revival & the Authors of Pain.

#4 Kevin Owens vs Tyler Breeze

Kevin Owens attacked Tyler Breeze before the match could even begin.

Result: The match never started as Kevin Owens laid out Tyler Breeze before the match could even start. Kevin Owens then cut a promo explaining his recent actions on Monday Night Raw.

Grade: A-

Analysis: It is so good to see the 'Prizefighter' back. Kevin Owens seems to be the Kevin Owens of old (the one that turned on Sami Zayn on NXT and beat John Cena clean in his first match). KO absolutely destroyed Tyler Breeze (it was nice to see Breeze put up a small fight).

Owens also cut an excellent promo and explained that he can basically do whatever he wants on Raw without facing repercussions (according to Baron Corbin). He blamed all of this on Bobby Lashley and it seems like Lashley will be one of his first victims. This will do wonders for Kevin Owens who can hopefully work his way up back to Raw's top heel.

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#5 Bobby Roode & Chad Gable vs The Ascension

We saw a rematch from last week's episode of Monday Night Raw.

Result: Chad Gable & Bobby Roode defeated the Ascension via pinfall with the Chaos Theory Rolling German Suplex.

Grade: B-

Analysis: It is nice to see that WWE is giving Bobby Roode & Chad Gable a chance to shine on Monday Night Raw as a tag team. However, we saw this match last week so nothing new was really developed here.

It was interesting to see Gable's enthusiasm throughout this match. He tagged himself into the match twice. It is easy to see Roode start to get tired of Gable's enthusiasm and turn on him. For now, however, they will continue to be a team.

#6 Ronda Rousey & Natalya vs Alexa Bliss & Mickie James (w/Alicia Fox)

'The Baddest Woman on the Planet' was in action on Raw this week.

Result: Ronda Rousey & Natalya defeated Mickie James via submission with the Armbar. Alexa Bliss then hit Ronda Rousey with a cheap shot after the match.

Grade: B

Analysis: Ronda Rousey continued her run of great performances. All 4 women brought their A game. It was nice to see Ronda Rousey sell for Mickie James & Alexa Bliss (especially since she has dominated against Bliss & James in the past). They continued to target the ribs of Ronda (after last week's attack).

It will be interesting to see if this will provide an opening for Alexa Bliss to take the advantage at Hell in a Cell. This was a really good match that was one of Raw's better matches of the night. It was also really cool to see Rousey & Natalya hit the Hart Attack.

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#7 Finn Balor vs Elias

This was the last match of the night.

Result: Finn Balor defeated Elias via pinfall with a small package.

Grade: B+

Analysis: It was nice to see Elias compete on Monday Night Raw (seriously, most of the time, he just delivers promos). It is ridiculous that both competitors don't have a match at Hell in a Cell, so it is nice to see WWE give both talented superstars an opportunity. While the match was unspectacular, it was still a great match.

Elias looked great as he dominated most of the match and he only lost because Balor was able to use his wrestling expertise to counter the Drift Away into a roll up. However, it would have been nice to see Finn Balor get a definitive win over someone on Raw this week.