WWE NXT Results: Biggest Winners, Losers and Moments from January 1

WWE's NXT brand got the new year off to a hot start Thursday night, presenting a show that both advanced ongoing storylines and wrapped up one of its biggest rivalries.

Finn Balor and Hideo Itami exorcised their demons in the form of Konnor and Viktor of The Ascension, overcoming a ferocious onslaught by the former NXT tag team champions and sending them packing to the main roster with a second consecutive defeat.

Carmella's arrogance, coupled with poor decision-making by Enzo Amore, led the Princess of Staten Island to suffer her first defeat. 

Baron Corbin and Bull Dempsey's budding rivalry exploded when they came to blows following the former's impressive, seconds-long victory over CJ Parker.

NXT tag team champions The Lucha Dragons defeated Jason Jordan and Tye Dillinger in non-title action but soon found themselves on the receiving end of a beating, courtesy of top contenders The Vaudevillains.

It was a night in which NXT proved that it looks forward to entering 2015 with all of the momentum that it closed out 2014 with and, more importantly, is determined to continue building its reputation as the finest wrestling show produced by World Wrestling Entertainment.

In the process, several Superstars and Divas will fall on the winner and loser side of things. That was certainly the case during the January 1 episode.

Who kicked off the year on the right foot? Who will limp into 2015, their pride hurt and their momentum halted?

Let's take a look.

Credit: WWE.com

Winner: Blue Pants

Leva Bates had made two appearances on NXT television prior to Thursday night's broadcast, and in both instances, she was presented as an enhancement talent whose sole purpose it was to put newcomer Carmella over. She did her job admirably.

At the same time, fans in the NXT Arena were smart. They knew who she was, what she had accomplished on the indy scene and respected her more than Carmella. By the time she made her second appearance for the brand, she was more over than her opponent.

Thursday night, she was introduced to the audience and received a huge pop as she made her way to the squared circle for a third match against the self-proclaimed Princess of Staten Island.

Continuing to compete under the name of "Blue Pants," she surprised Carmella with a small package and scored her first televised win, receiving a huge pop for her victory.

The entire scenario was reminiscent of the 1-2-3 Kid's monumental upset of Razor Ramon way back in 1993. 

While Bates is unlikely to experience the meteoric rise that the Kid did in the wake of his unprecedented victory, she could provide a fresh face for the NXT Divas division, something that area of the roster is in desperate need of.

From there, any and all would be possible for the fun, energetic and entertaining young woman.

Credit: WWE.com

Loser: Baron Corbin

The beauty of the Baron Corbin character was that he had such presence and mystique surrounding him that he instantly connected with audiences without ever saying a word. He never had to, as it turned out, because his facial expression and body language spoke volumes.

Thursday night, some of that mystique was irreparably damaged as Corbin grabbed a microphone and cut a brief, two-sentence promo. He appeared uncomfortable while doing so, highlighting what suddenly sticks out as a very real weakness going forward.

The worst part was that the promo was absolutely unnecessary. Corbin and Bull Dempsey wound up brawling at ringside, selling their feud far better than any attempt by Corbin to appear tough while threatening his rival ever could have.

It was a rare misstep by NXT management at a time where everything else they have done in the weeks following NXT Takeover: R Evolution has been perfect.

Winner: Finn Balor

From his entrance to his in-ring presence, Balor is a star-in-waiting right now with NXT.

His entrance induces goosebumps, and his ring work is leaps and bounds better than most of his peers. The fans absolutely bought into the character from the minute he made his debut, while the improved entrance and face paint from R Evolution only strengthened the audience's appreciation for the character.

His performance in Thursday's main event was very strong. He displayed that he can unleash a beating as well as take one. 

With a theatrical entrance, in-ring work matched by few and a fan following rivaling that of the most popular NXT stars, Balor is in line to become the latest, and perhaps greatest, breakout star that the brand has produced.

Hopefully, management can keep from screwing him up with unnecessary losses or poor booking choices.