WWE Raw results, recap, grades: Sami Zayn earns Bloodline redemption, Brock Lesnar returns at Raw is XXX

Zayn stepped up for The Bloodline, allowing The Usos to remain undisputed tag team champions

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WWE

On Monday night, WWE celebrated the 30th anniversary of Raw with a special "Raw is XXX" episode. The show featured appearances from several legends, two title matches and plenty of action.

One of the aforementioned title matches saw The Usos defend their undisputed WWE tag team championships on the line against The Judgement Day's Damian Priest and Dominik Mysterio. It was Sami Zayn, just moments after being put on trial by The Bloodline, who would save the day for the Usos and make sure they went home as champions.

Just as the night began with a title match, it ended with one as well. Again, it was someone not initially involved in the match who decided things as a returning Brock Lesnar took out Bobby Lashley to allow Austin Theory to retain his United States championship.

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

Sami Zayn earns redemption with The Bloodline

Sami Zayn was found "not guilty" at a Bloodline "Tribal Court." Paul Heyman accused Zayn of being a traitor, involved in a conspiracy with Kevin Owens to take down Roman Reigns. After Heyman showed video of minor slights by Zayn, such as lightly bumping Reigns' shoulder, Reigns sent Solo Sikoa to deliver a Samoan Spike to Zayn, who had offered no defense. Sikoa was stopped by Jey Uso, who showed even more footage of Zayn saving The Bloodline in various situations, leading Reigns to ultimately deliver a "not guilty" verdict.

Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship – The Usos (c) def. The Judgement Day via pinfall after Sami Zayn replaced an injured Jimmy Uso. Finn Balor was ejected from ringside mid-match after interfering, shoving Jey Uso while he was on the top rope. Jimmy Uso would then suffer an injury, leading WWE official Adam Pearce to say the team would have to forfeit their titles. Zayn then jumped in and offered to step in for Jimmy, which Pearce allowed as he had allowed the same for The Judgement Day in their gauntlet match to earn their title shot. Rhea Ripley then interfered to prevent Zayn from hitting Dominik Mysterio with a Helluva Kick, but Zayn was able to kick out of Priest's South of Heaven, which was executed when the ref's back was turned. Zayn made another save and then worked with Uso to hit a 1D to retain the titles.

There are times where it feels like the Bloodline story exists somewhat outside the rest of WWE, but the promotion keeps finding ways to keep it fresh. Zayn seemed doomed until Jey stepped in to save him, with Jey also having been the man who was initially the most reluctant to accept Zayn into the group. Zayn then was able to prove his worth to the group, though Reigns did tell Heyman that he did not want to see Zayn again until Saturday. Reigns has absolutely needed Zayn around because his title reign had ran its course long ago but Zayn has provided story beats to give Reigns momentum again. Grade: A-

Brock Lesnar returns to attack Bobby Lashley

The main event saw Lashley and Theory battling in a no-disqualification match. Theory used the lack of rules to try and fend off Lashley. Eventually, Lashley was able to put Theory through a table but with both men down, Lesnar's music hit. Lesnar made his way to the ring and hit Lashley with an F5. He then hit Theory with an F5 on top of Lashley, allowing Theory to score the pin and retain his title. The show ended with Lesnar smiling as he left the ring.

Once the match had no DQ rules, it was fairly transparent how the match would play out. Lesnar and Lashley were destined for another match and this was the way to get them there. That said, everything at the end of the show felt a bit rushed. That, along with the women's cage match getting scrapped after a lot of promotion, made for two of the most heavily-promoted segments for the show not completely delivering. Grade: C

What else happened on WWE Raw?

  • The Undertaker served LA Knight up to Bray Wyatt. Undertaker interrupted a Knight promo and Wyatt eventually made his way to the ring, leading Knight to slide into the ring where Undertaker was waiting. Undertaker acted as though he was going to hit a chokeslam but instead threw Knight to Wyatt who then hit Knight with a Sister Abigail. Undertaker then whispered in Wyatt's ear before leaving the ring.
  • Damage CTRL attacked Becky Lynch during Lynch's entrance for her cage match with Bayley. The attack left Lynch down and injured, preventing the match from starting.
  • The Street Profits & Seth Rollins def. Imperium via pinfall. Kurt Angle was the special guest referee after he and D-X were confronted by Imperium.
  • Bianca Belair def. Sonya Deville via pinfall after hitting a KOD. Ric Flair brought out Charlotte Flair to the ring and Belair was soon out to put the two women's champions in the ring together. Deville came out, demanding the spotlight and getting a match with Belair as a result.
  • Kevin Owens delivered a message to Roman Reigns ahead of their Royal Rumble match, interrupting a Miz promo by delivering a stunner and then vowing to defeat Reigns on Saturday or die trying.
  • Several WWE legends showed up throughout the night with many participating in a backstage poker game.
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