WWE Raw Results, Highlights, and Grades: NXT is the main event
Buddy Murphy vs. Cedric Alexander
Our next bit of in-ring action saw two 205 Live alumni face off as Buddy Murphy looked to build on his victory over R-Truth last week on Raw. Cedric Alexander gained some early momentum, but Murphy sent him crashing into a turnbuckle post to turn the tide.
Buddy Murphy began to wear down Alexander with an armbar, pushing him into the ground and trying to keep the high flyer as low to the mat as possible. Cedric Alexander fought back and hit a Neuralyzer that finally put the ball in his court.
Cedric Alexander hit a crisp suicide dive and followed it up immediately with a dive over the top rope onto Murphy, bringing him back in the ring for a Springboard Flatliner that was enough for a near fall.
Cedric Alexander went high risk, but Murphy countered it and looked for Murphy’s Law. Alexander countered into a Michinoku Driver, which got him another near fall. He went for another Neuralyzer, but felt a knee to the back from Buddy Murphy that cut things off. “The Best Kept Secret” hit Murphy’s Law to garner another victory.
Grade: B+, Another great match from two top-notch talents. It’s not surprising they put together a great contest, and it looks like Murphy is getting a solid push with his second straight win on Raw.
Seth Rollins tries to figure out what’s next and gets some company
Next up, we heard from Seth Rollins who lost his WWE Universal Championship to “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt at WWE Crown Jewel. He acknowledged that many fans were happy he lost, but said it didn’t concern him. Instead, Rollins said he was more concerned about Brock Lesnar being back on Raw as champion and erasing the work he did to get rid of Lesnar.
Rollins said that though his slogan is “Redesign, Rebuild, Reclaim,” he wasn’t sure if he had the energy for it this time. Rollins said that for the first time in a long time, he doesn’t know what’s next for him. Suddenly, “King of Kings” rang out in the arena.
A large NXT logo went across the screen, and Triple H made his way to the ring. He talked directly to Rollins, bringing him the times he’s worked with Seth and guided him to success. From NXT Champion to WWE Champion, Triple H said he always pulled the best out of Rollins.
Triple H asked what was next for Seth Rollins, further saying that Seth’s decision would influence what Triple H did next. Seconds later, The Undisputed Era emerged through the crowd and swarmed the apron. Triple H said clearly that “you’re either with me, or you’re against me.”
Rollins looked conflicted, but The O.C. suddenly came out to represent Raw and even the odds. Undisputed Era retreated and hopped the railing before The O.C. could get to them, only for Donovan Dijakovic and Damian Priest of NXT to ambush The O.C. A few members of the Raw roster, Zack Ryder, Erick Rowan, R-Truth, and Curt Hawkins, made the save and sent the NXT superstars fleeing.
During this entire segment, Seth Rollins stood in the ring and didn’t budge. After a commercial break, Rollins confronted Triple H backstage and said that if he’s going back to NXT he’s doing so as a top guy. Rollins then challenged Adam Cole to an NXT Championship Match on Raw, claiming he’d do what Daniel Bryan couldn’t on SmackDown.
Grade: A-, This was a really special segment for Rollins, and he hasn’t been this intriguing in a while. Triple H really did pull the best out of him. The NXT attack was interesting, but Raw’s retaliation force felt a bit lackluster. Seth’s challenge of Cole really topped things off.