WWE Raw results, recap, grades: Gunther retains the world heavyweight championship against Sami Zayn

Zayn didn't make it easy but Gunther is still the world heavyweight champion

For weeks, Sami Zayn had called out Gunther for a shot at the world heavyweight championship. Zayn got his show in the Raw main event on Monday night but he was unable to find the victory over the champion as he had when the pair met earlier this year at WrestleMania.

Zayn showed plenty of heart, the very quality that allowed him to end Gunther's record-setting reign as intercontinental champion in April, but ultimately couldn't withstand Gunther's offensive onslaught before passing out in the champion's sleeper hold.

With the win, Gunther will now turn his attention to Crown Jewel and a champion vs. champion match with Cody Rhodes.

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri.

Gunther retains the world heavyweight championship against Sami Zayn

Cody Rhodes appeared in the building midway through the show. Rhodes said he was simply there to watch the main event now that he knew it would be undisputed WWE champion vs. world heavyweight champion at Crown Jewel. Rhodes also told Sami Zayn that he hoped it would be Zayn who would be standing across the ring in Saudi Arabia.

World Heavyweight Championship -- Gunther (c) def. Sami Zayn via submission with a sleeper hold. Zayn fired up several times to keep himself in the match, including kicking out at one after a series of powerbombs. Unfortunately for him, Zayn was unable to escape the final sleeper and went unconscious in the hold. As Gunther left the ring and posed with his title belt, Rhodes' music hit and the undisputed WWE champion walked out for a staredown with Gunther as the show went off the air.

As expected, Gunther and Zayn put on another solid match, living up to their longstanding rivalry. Zayn will likely always be a problem for Gunther, always pushing him to the limit and that is a solid footnote for both men. All that aside, Raw largely played out exactly as anyone would have expected looking at the pre-show preview. Hard to complain about a solid world title match though. Grade: B

What else happened on WWE Raw?

• CM Punk kicked off the show with a brief promo. Punk admitted he was physically too banged up to even walk to the ring but wanted to thank those who love him, his peers and those who hate him because without all three he wouldn't have the success he has achieved in moments like defeating Drew McIntyre inside Hell in a Cell.
• Seth Rollins came to the ring, bumping into Punk on his way out. Rollins said he was wishing Punk a speedy recovery so he could send him into retirement. Punk then turned his attention to Bronson Reed, saying he wanted a match anytime, anywhere. 
• Intercontinental Championship -- Jey Uso (c) def. Xavier Woods via pinfall with an Uso Splash. After the fairly short match, Kofi Kingston shook Uso's hand and Uso tried to do the same with Woods, but Woods walked off. Woods was frustrated with Kingston and the pair argued when Bron Breakker ran in to attack Uso. Woods refused to help, while Kingston ran in only to also get taken out by Breakker. Woods eventually ate a spear as well as he tended to Kingston outside the ring. Breakker refused to answer why he attacked Uso when asked backstage.
• The Miz confronted Karrion Kross and told him he didn't turn on R-Truth last Monday for anyone other than himself. Truth then entered and told Miz they could fix whatever the issues are before Miz challenged him to a match next Monday.
• Sheamus def. Pete Dunne via pinfall in a Good Ol' Donnybrook Match. After some big spots and weapon use, Dunne zip-tied Sheamus' hands behind his back. Despite this, Sheamus managed to hit a Brogue Kick to score the pin and win the match.
• Lyra Valkyria, Kayden Carter, Katana Chance, Zelina Vega & Natalya def. Unholy Union & Pure Fusion Collective via pinfall when Valkyria hit Sonya Deville with a top-rope leg drop.