WWE Raw results, recap, grades: Imperium helps Judgement Day beat Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens

The numbers game was too much for Zayn and Owens in the main event of Raw

Beating The Usos for the undisputed tag team championships at WrestleMania was a huge moment for Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens. It was not, however, the end of the duo's struggles against The Bloodline. On Monday night, The Bloodline conspired with other groups to try to soften the champions up ahead of their Night of Champions clash with Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa.

With Judgement Day already set to face Owens and Zayn in the main event, Bloodline advisor Paul Heyman struck a mysterious deal with Gunther and Imperium. At the end of the night, it was Imperium who tipped the scales in the favor of Judgement Day, resulting in a disappointing loss for Zayn and Owens.

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Samy Zayn and Kevin Owens battle Judgement Day and Imperium

Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn opened the show with a promo on their Night of Champions match with Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa. They were eventually interrupted by The Judgement Day, setting up a match later in the night. Later in the show, Zayn and Owens were confronted by Imperium, with Gunther saying he didn't appreciate the duo showing "his men" disrespect last week. Owens said if the wanted a fight, they could have it next week and Owens and Zayn would find a partner. Imperium were then shown later in the night shaking hands with Paul Heyman, who then placed a call to Reigns.

Finn Balor & Damian Priest def. Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens via pinfall. During the match, Dominik Mysterio and Rhea Ripley eventually made their way to ringside. Before long, the duo's interference led to them being kicked out by the referee. Late in the match, Imperium came to ringside. Their attempts to provide a distraction proved ineffective as Owens put down Priest with a stunner and Zayn hit a Helluva Kick on Balor. Imperium finally stepped up, distracting the referee as Zayn tried to make the pin. They again interfered the next time Zayn and Owens appeared to have the match won, this time setting up Balor to hit a Coup de Grace to score the pinfall as Heyman looked on with a smile.

Babyfaces going up against long odds and facing overwhelming disadvantages in numbers are another one of those professional wrestling staples that just works for many reasons. Zayn and Owens are already up against it dealing with The Bloodline, but add in Judgement Day and Imperium and how can they overcome these odds? It's simple but simple is almost always best when it comes to wrestling storylines. It's exciting to see where this is going as Owens and Zayn remain one of the most over acts on the WWE roster. Grade: A-

What else happened on WWE Raw?

• Shinsuke Nakamura def. The Miz via pinfall after a Kinshasa.
• A planned women's tag team championship match between champions Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez and challengers Chelsea Green and Sonya Deville was postponed due to an injury to Morgan.
• Mustafa Ali won a battle royal to become No. 1 contender for the intercontinental championship. Ali last eliminated Bronson Reed and Ricochet, dropkicking both men from the apron to the floor.
• Becky Lynch cut a promo showing a renewed fire because of Trish Stratus turning on her and throwing down a challenge for Stratus to face her at Night of Champions.
• Natalya confronted Rhea Ripley backstage as Ripley was addressing Natalya saving Dana Brooke from a post-match beating the previous week.
• Dominik Mysterio def. Xavier Woods via pinfall after interference from Rhea Ripley.
• Cody Rhodes cut a promo on Brock Lesnar, saying that he knows Lesnar's nature is to hunt. But he also knows Lesnar is looking in his mirror, seeing the bruises and cuts from their match at Backlash, while Rhodes looks in the mirror and simply sees the man who put them there. Rhodes closed by vowing to get Lesnar out of his way when they meet at Night of Champions.
• Raquel Rodriguez def. Chelsea Green via pinfall with a Tejana Bomb. After the match, Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler jumped Rodriguez on the entrance ramp.