WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from September 3

KEVIN BERGE
SEPTEMBER 03, 2018

Braun Strowman changed the game last week on Monday Night Raw when he aligned with Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre, turning heel and creating a stable that could compete with The Shield. This power struggle promises to define Raw for months to come.
The September 3 edition of Raw would continue that war with Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose expected to make an emphatic statement. Elsewhere on the card, Shawn Michaels was booked to appear to speak on two men who have defined his career: Triple H and The Undertaker.
The Bella Twins were also returning to action officially in a tag team match against The Riott Squad. In perhaps the most important match of the night though, The Revival earned their second shot at The B-Team, challenging for the Raw Tag Team Championships.
With Hell in a Cell rapidly approaching, this was only the beginning of a night that would hopefully fully reveal Raw's direction toward a dangerous and brutal WWE event on the horizon.

The Locker Room Must Empty to Stop The Shield Fighting Strowman's Pack

Credit: WWE.com

Strowman opened the show with Ziggler and McIntyre at his side, explaining that he chose to align with the heels to form his own pack to make sure his fight with Reigns was fair. As The Showoff bragged about the new trio's coming dominance, The Shield headed to the ring.
The Raw locker room was emptied to stabilize the situation, and they slowed the fighting enough to push the six to the backstage area where The Big Dog, The Architect and Lunatic Fringe were arrested and driven away from the area.
    
Grade
A-
    
Analysis
While a little silly, there's nothing that sells heat like a pull-apart brawl. These two teams instantly came off as hungry animals ready to destroy each other when they get in the same ring without interference. You'd think the six-man tag was set for Hell in a Cell with this tension already built.
Strowman trying to talk down the crowd felt unnatural, but otherwise the promos before the fight worked. This heel trio has already been established as one of the biggest threats to The Shield in their entire run, hopefully leading to great matches like Shield's wars with The Wyatt Family and Evolution.

The Bella Twins vs. The Riott Squad's Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan

The Bella Twins took some time to get going with Brie Bella getting caught by Sarah Logan during a suicide dive. However, Nikki Bella got the hot tag, and Brie managed to eliminate Ruby Riott and Logan from the equation so that Nikki could hit the Rack Attack 2.0 on Liv Morgan for the win.
    
Result
Brie and Nikki def. Morgan and Logan by pinfall
    
Grade
C-
    
Analysis
This wasn't a bad tag team match, but it was sloppy, especially Brie's offense. While Nikki looked to be in good shape after her time off, Brie did not look comfortable and hesitated on two suicide dives that both went wrong.
WWE is clearly treating The Bellas as big stars and featured attractions in the women's division with their return, but they will need to be better than this to earn that spot. Raw is already overflowing with good performers. Brie needs to be better to take time away from more talented women.

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