WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from January 6

Ringing in 2020, WWE Raw had in store a jam-packed show built off recent events.

Brock Lesnar returned to a WWE ring to make an announcement about his plans for the Royal Rumble. As WWE champion, he was looking for a fresh challenge.

Two title matches highlighted the night. Rey Mysterio demanded a chance to reclaim the United States Championship that Andrade took off him in Madison Square Garden, and The Viking Raiders put their Raw Tag Team Championships on the line against The O.C. and The Street Profits.

Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe continued their counteroffensive against the Authors of Pain and Seth Rollins. After being asked to leave last week, they wanted a fight.

In the aftermath of the chaotic wedding of Lana and Bobby Lashley, The Ravishing Russian, Rusev and the surprise new arrival in the story, Liv Morgan, all needed to respond.

The week had everything one would want this early in January: big moments, game-changing matches and a few important announcements for the Royal Rumble.

Paul Heyman came out with Brock Lesnar to announce that The Beast Incarnate was not willing to wait for challengers. He would hunt, and he would do so in the Royal Rumble match.

The Advocate made clear Lesnar would also enter the match at No. 1 to prove his dominance.

Grade

B+

Analysis

This was an intriguing decision to make people tune in to the Royal Rumble. Rather than hastily putting together a match for Lesnar on a card that is certain to be packed, he will add a new layer to the Rumble match. Whoever ends up eliminating him will immediately join the WWE Championship title scene.

It is unlikely The Beast will even go that far since he never sticks around in matches for too long. He can just disappear for a while and let everyone do the work until it matters.

Rey Mysterio cut a promo in Spanish and English explaining Andrade did not deserve to represent the United States of America.

The Master of the 619 had El Idolo on the ropes from the start, but Zelina Vega kept her client in the match. She even got Andrade's foot on the ropes after a Canadian Destroyer, which caused the referee to restart the match after counting three.

Andrade accidentally launched his longtime rival into Vega, and Mysterio was distraught. The distraction allowed El Idolo to hit a hammerlock DDT to retain. Afterward, he ripped off the future Hall of Famer's mask.

Later, in an interview, Andrade taunted Mysterio, who arrived and assaulted the champion to take back his mask.

Result

Andrade def. Mysterio by pinfall to retain the United States Championship.

Grade

A-

Analysis

The storytelling here could have been better given Mysterio almost retired the last time Andrade beat him on live television. The match was too focused on the challenger rather than reminding everyone that El Idolo has had The Master of the 619's number.

It's hard to complain about the action, though, as these two again showed just how good they are. Few men have more chemistry, and 2020 has its first standout match.

The O.C. came into this match with a game plan to dominate early and avoid taking too much damage. It seemed to work, as a fresh Karl Anderson nearly stole the win on Erik off a Montez Ford frog splash. However, Ivar saved his partner.

After Ford and Angelo Dawkins took out Luke Gallows, The Raiders isolated Anderson for a powerbomb into a splash for the big win.

Result

Raiders def. O.C. and Profits by pinfall to retain the Raw Tag Team Championships.

Grade

A-

Analysis

The two title matches of the night had serious potential, and they both delivered. This was a display for the Raiders, who worked with both teams so well. The action was nonstop from the opening bell.

The Street Profits continue to overdeliver with opportunities. Ford is an absolute star, and together the Profits had the crowd behind them even when they weren't in the action.

While the Raiders need plenty of time as champions, it is worth considering giving gold to Ford and Dawkins soon.

Becky Lynch showed a video package of all the times she fell short in defeating Asuka.

As she was about to promise to put an end to this, The Empress of Tomorrow arrived to taunt her in Japanese. The Man planted her with a punch.

Grade

A-

Analysis

No story in WWE right now has a better build than Lynch vs. Asuka. The rivalry began over a year ago and has been allowed to simmer. It is hard not to get invested with the way The Man puts over how important this match is for her.

The Empress of Tomorrow cut a scathing promo on Lynch that most fans couldn't understand. What mattered was the clear intention.

Everyone knew she was mocking the champion, and the champ responded.

Mojo Rawley asked Erick Rowan politely to let him see inside the cage, and The Big Red Wood was happy to oblige. Mojo freaked out after just a peek.

Spurred on by this reaction, Rowan took out his local competition quickly with an Iron Claw and then forced him to look inside. After getting sprayed by red mist, the young man went screaming off to the back.

Result

Rowan def. local competitor by pinfall.

Grade

C

Analysis

While the squash matches with Rowan grow tiring, at least a new layer has been added to the story. Now, he isn't just protective of his hidden friend. He is also willing to let people see.

It is unlikely the reveal will ever live up to the mystery, but forcing people to stare into the grotesque abyss is more interesting than just stopping them from looking altogether.

AJ Styles was aggravated to the point of making an example out of Akira Tozawa. While The Stamina Monster tried to strike quickly, The Phenomenal One stopped him with a Phenomenal Forearm.

He refused to take the pinfall right away, hitting a hanging DDT. Styles connected on an RKO to Tozawa in the most exaggerated motion possible to finally take his win.

Result

Styles def. Tozawa by pinfall.

Grade

B

Analysis

While it is easy to be upset about not getting to see Styles and Tozawa work on level footing, this was never really meant to be a match. It was a statement made by The Phenomenal One and an emphatic one.

Unlike many, Styles does not work many squash matches. He feels above them. That made this even better. He was willing to make an example out of Tozawa just because he was so frustrated.

Bobby Lashley and Lana made up for their botched wedding by completing the ceremony on Monday.

The Ravishing Russian taunted the crowd until Rusev appeared, celebrating his freedom with a day on the beach.

As The All Mighty tried to speak, Lana interrupted him, screaming at The Bulgarian Brute until Lashley told her to shut up. Rusev and Lashley set a date for next week where they could finally end this.

In an interview with R-Truth, Liv Morgan interrupted to announce she would happily stand in Rusev's corner next week.

Grade

C-

Analysis

This wasn't terrible, though that mostly came down to Rusev's deadpan humor. The hasty attempt to move past the chaos from last week was a missed opportunity, but it was better than WWE trying to do more.

Hopefully, The Bulgarian Brute can win next week and move beyond this angle. He is doing the most with the story in these hopefully final moments.

Sarah Logan attacked Charlotte Flair before the bell and knocked her down outside the ring.

She threw around The Queen's robe and stomped on it. This only motivated Charlotte, who speared Logan and then threw her straight into the barricade.

Grade

C

Analysis

The follow-up to this segment will decide how successful it was. Charlotte has been so steadily featured that the segment does nothing for her. However, it could help give Logan a larger spotlight.

The Raw women's division is too limited to waste talent as good as Logan. She is an engaging performer who often delivers the more time she gets. She just needs more minutes.

Drew McIntyre attacked the conga line, hurting No Way Jose's friends.

This motivated Jose to give The Scottish Psychopath all that he could handle, but McIntyre quickly stopped him cold with a Future Shock DDT and the Claymore.

McIntyre asked the crowd if they wanted another Claymore, and he gave it to Jose. He then announced his entry into the Royal Rumble match, promising everyone that no one would stand in his way.

Result

McIntyre def. Jose by pinfall.

Grade

B

Analysis

As WWE amps up the product toward Royal Rumble, even the squash matches are getting better. McIntyre took pleasure in hurting everyone in his way and was willing to motivate Jose just to stop him before he got too close.

The Scottish Psychopath is such a cocky heel that fans are getting behind him, and he's accepting it. In a way, he's turned face by just having fun hurting people. Hopefully, he will get a better WrestleMania moment this year.

Aleister Black outwrestled Shelton Benjamin, connecting on Black Mass for the victory.

Afterward, Buddy Murphy struck. He laid out The Dutch Destroyer and landed a short-arm knee strike with a steel chair on him.

Result

Black def. Benjamin by pinfall.

Grade

B

Analysis

Murphy's post-match attack was an excellent surprise. After losing twice to Black, he didn't just fade into the background. The Best Kept Secret stopped playing coy and started going after his opponent directly.

Even though the score is lopsided, dominant moments like this make a statement that is hard to ignore. It's easy to get excited about Round 3.

Samoa Joe told Kevin Owens he had a third man to help them in the fight against Seth Rollins and the Authors of Pain.

After playing coy, he let The Prizefighter meet their third man but would not reveal who it was to anyone else until the main event.

Big Show arrived, returning from a two-year hiatus, and he helped even the odds. He almost took the win with a pair of chokeslams on Akam and Rezar, but The Monday Night Messiah smacked him with a steel chair to cause a disqualification. The babyfaces cleared the ring and stood tall.

Result

Owens, Joe and Show def. Rollins and AOP by disqualification.

Grade

C

Analysis

The mystery of the third man was built up so much that anyone would have been a disappointment. That said, while Big Show has paid his dues, there's no reason to get excited about him back on Raw right now.

So many others would have benefited from this spot more. Instead, Owens vs. Rollins grows more bloated than ever without real purpose. The match was fine but rushed perhaps due to running out of TV time.