Grading This Week's Monday Night Raw (1/10/2018)

This week's episode of Monday Night Raw included matches between Dolph Ziggler & Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose & Braun Strowman, Seth Rollins & Drew McIntyre, and Ronda Rousey & Ruby Riott. Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, & Kane made appearances as well.

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#1 Braun Strowman vs Dean Ambrose

Dean Ambrose took Braun Strowman to his absolute limit

Result: Braun Strowman defeated Dean Ambrose via disqualification after Roman Reigns attacked Strowman to save Ambrose. Baron Corbin then stopped a big brawl from developing between the Dogs of War and The Shield by making matches between Roman Reigns and Dolph Ziggler and Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre.

Grade: B+

Analysis: This was a really good matchup with a great story. Braun Strowman was the dominant monster that had no problem in beating up Dean Ambrose each time he would fight back. Dean Ambrose was the star of this matchup.

He was a never say die babyface as he hit Braun Strowman with everything he had. It really seemed like Dean Ambrose could get the upset victory at times. The false finishes were perfect and showed just how good these superstars are.

It is also interesting that a Dean Ambrose heel turn was teased once again. Dean Ambrose chose to stand with his brothers and as a result, he didn't take advantage of a potential Intercontinental Title or Universal Title match.

He was close to winning the match before Roman Reigns interfered so he definitely has a right to be mad. However, Dean Ambrose will probably not turn heel anytime in the future.

#2 Champion vs Champion: Raw Tag Team Champion Dolph Ziggler vs Universal Champion Roman Reigns

This was the first of the night's two champion vs champion matches

Result: Roman Reigns defeated Dolph Ziggler via pinfall with a Spear.

Grade: B+

Analysis: It's interesting to think that although Roman Reigns and Dolph Ziggler have been involved in several tag team matches,

Roman Reigns and Dolph Ziggler have never faced off in a singles match. It makes no sense that Baron Corbin stopped this match from being a Universal Title Match.

Baron Corbin has been in support of Braun Strowman, Drew McIntyre, & Dolph Ziggler over the past month so it makes no sense that he would stop one of his allies from getting a world title match.

The match itself was pretty solid. Ziggler's opportunistic, quick-paced style worked well with Roman Reign's explosive power.

While the match was pretty predictable, it still seemed like Dolph Ziggler had a chance of getting the win. It is great to see a Universal Champion that is actually a fighting champion after Brock Lesnar's days of being Universal Champion.

#3 Ronda Rousey (w./the Bella Twins) vs Ruby Riott (w./the Riott Squad)

Ruby Riott faced her toughest test on Monday Night Raw

Result: Ronda Rousey defeated Ruby Riott via submission with the Armbar.

Grade: B+

Analysis: With all due respect to Alexa Bliss, this was Ronda Rousey's toughest challenge since facing Nia Jax at Money in the Bank. Ruby Riott dominated most of the match and looked great when facing Ronda Rousey.

Ronda Rousey excellently sold Ruby Riott's offense which made Ruby Riott look dangerous. Ronda Rousey's comeback was amazing as ever.

Throw in some excellent reversals, small amounts of interference, and a great false finish and you have a great TV match.

It can also be argued that the reason Ruby Riott tapped out so quickly was to preserve herself before Super Showdown.

While Ronda Rousey may have decisively defeated Ruby Riott, she certainly deserves another chance after that performance.

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

This rivalry continued!

Result: Konnor defeated Bobby Roode via pinfall with the Dominator.

Grade: D-

Analysis: While it is understandable that WWE wants to build up the Ascension, this cannot possible be the best way to do so.

A 50/50 feud also involving a brand new tag team of underutilized singles stars on Raw does nothing for either teak. This shows just how far Bobby Roode has fallen since joining Monday Night Raw.

He was defeated by someone who hasn't won a singles match in years before he beat Chad Gable last week.

Hopefully, these two have their blow-off match next week and it ends with Bobby Roode and Chad Gable getting the win. WWE can then feed the Ascension local talent or jobbers such as Titus Worldwide or Heath Slater & Rhyno if they want to continue to build them up.

#5 The B-Team vs The Revival

5 tag teams that are not Ziggler & McIntyre or the Shield actually appeared on Raw! That must be a first

Result: The B-Team defeated The Revival via pinfall with a roll up. The Authors of Pain then laid them out after the match.

Grade: B-

Analysis: After delivering a show-stealing performance against the tag team champions last week, The Revival lost to the B-Team due to a roll up again. It seemed like WWE finally started taking the Revival seriously after last week.

However, they are now the odd ones out of a potential feud between the B-Team & the Authors of Pain. It is nice to see that the WWE have finally moved past having the Authors of Pain face local talent.

They looked dominant and it will be interesting to see them face off with the B-Team. This will be all good as long as WWE doesn't have the B-Team get lucky against the Authors of Pain. Hopefully, the Revival can find something to do (like possibly facing Bobby Roode & Chad Gable after they are finally done with The Ascension).

#6 Champion vs Champion: Raw Tag Team Champion Drew McIntyre vs Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins

Drew McIntyre and Seth Rollins had their third match with each other.

Result: Drew McIntyre defeated Seth Rollins via pinfall with the Claymore Kick after some interference from Dolph Ziggler. A huge brawl then broke up between the Dogs of War & the Shield that the Dogs of War ended up getting the best of.

Grade: B+

Analysis: Drew McIntyre and Seth Rollins have a lot of chemistry with each other. All of their matches with each other have been pretty good.

That was no different this time. Both superstars hit their best shots and it looked like Drew McIntyre could take a pinfall loss for the first time on Raw.

It was also interesting that Dolph Ziggler decided to interfere in the match after Braun Strowman implied that he was the weak link.

That was foreshadowing a possible face turn for Dolph Ziggler. It is also interesting that although Dean Ambrose was the last superstar to come out during the brawl, he was still there for his brothers.

While a heel turn is being teased and definitely is possible, it won't happen at Super Showdown.

#7 Bobby Lashley (w./Lio Rush) vs Kevin Owens (w./Elias)

Bobby Lashley finally had a chance to get revenge on Kevin Owens.

Result: Kevin Owens defeated Bobby Lashley via pinfall with a roll up. Kevin Owens and Elias then laid out Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush after the match.

Grade: B

Analysis: This was a pretty good match. Both superstars went back and forth which each other and it was pretty unpredictable.

However, the reaction Kevin Owens & Elias got overshadowed this match. It is also ridiculous how fast Kevin Owens went back to just being another superstar on the roster. After he quit WWE, it seemed likely that he would get a big push once he came back.

However, that wasn't meant to be. It is also interesting that the third time wasn't the charm for Lio Rush as Elias finally managed to get his hands on him. This also makes it obvious that John Cena and Bobby Lashley will get the win at Super Showdown.

#8 Alicia Fox (w./Jinder Mahal) vs Bayley (w./Finn Balor)

WWE continued to promote the Mixed Match Challenge.

Result: Bayley defeated Alicia Fox via pinfall with the Bayley to Belly.

Grade: C+

Analysis: It is really nice that WWE is trying to take time to promote the Mixed Match Challenge on Raw. However, there has to be a better way to showcase Finn Balor and Bayley.

Finn Balor should be involved in the rivalry with the Shield and the Dogs of War. Bayley should be feuding with someone like Mickie James.

Because Team B'N'B defeated Team Mahalicia, this mini-program is probably over. It is nice that Bayley got a win as she has finally started to regain some lost momentum.