WWE NXT Results: Biggest Winners, Losers and Moments from December 2

With just two weeks until TakeOver: London, NXT hit the WWE Network airwaves with a show headlined by a brutally physical match between Samoa Joe and Tommaso Ciampa. 

The Ring of Honor alumni tore the house down, eliciting chants of "this is awesome" while stunning each other with slaps, chops and palm strikes. It was a match unlike any ever seen in NXT, an example of the strong style learned in Japan and used by so many on the American independent scene.

The Superstars beat the unholy hell out of each other, and by the time the bell rang for the second time, Joe was standing tall, his arm raised in victory following a choke out of the man whom he long called friend.

For Joe, the win represented the latest step in his journey to the NXT Championship and a showdown with Finn Balor. He looked like a killer, someone who would relentlessly punish anyone unfortunate enough to get between him and the brand's top championship.

Ciampa, on the other hand, needed this showing given his handful of lackluster performances inside the Vince McMahon-owned ring to this point. He played the overmatched underdog to perfection and had fans, even if just briefly, believing he would score the upset pinfall. He did not, but he looked strong in defeat and thus will be far more credible to new fans than he was heading into Wednesday's match.

For two very different reasons, Joe and Ciampa were the night's biggest winners, delivering a quality main event that capped off another outstanding episode of WWE's developmental brand. But they were not the only ones benefiting from this week's broadcast.

And there was one notable loser, whose days in NXT look like the greatest time of his life compared to where he is now.

Winner: Nia Jax

The push for The Rock's cousin is in full force, as witnessed by the events of Wednesday's show.

First, she absolutely smashed, pummeled and demolished Blue Pants, pinning her with a single foot on the midsection. If garnering heat by squashing the incredibly popular wrestler was not enough, she further asserted herself as the top contender to the NXT Women's Championship via a backstage confrontation with champion Bayley.

At first, she simply approached the titleholder and flashed a devious smile.

Then she grabbed Bayley and put her through a door, again smiling as the champion writhed in pain, holding her head.

It was a strong way to establish Jax as the latest, greatest threat to the women's title.

Jax is an intense and smash-mouth wrestler but one who is not nearly experienced enough to deliver the type of performance fans have come to expect from women's title matches on NXT live specials. That leaves the question of how the writing staff will handle the booking of the match.

Will it follow the example of Bayley's defense against Eva Marie, relying more on story than actual in-ring action to get over with the fans? Or will Jax surprise the world?

Either way, on Wednesday, Jax was firmly established as the No. 1 contender and one of the night's undisputed winners.

Credit: WWE.com

Loser: Adam Rose

Adam Rose made his return to the NXT Arena at Full Sail University, rejecting the cheers for him and the singing of his theme music under the new Party Pooper gimmick. 

Then he proceeded to get squashed by "Cowboy" James Storm, who was returning after a month away.

There was a time when Rose looked to be a breakout star with a character that was groomed for the main roster. Unfortunately, it never struck a chord with fans and the Rose gimmick died a painful death, overshadowed by an associate in a bunny suit.

Lately, WWE Creative has tried countless things to get him over with fans, teaming him with Brad Maddox or using the Party Pooper gimmick in videos exclusive to YouTube. This, despite the fact that fans were ready to cheer and support the performer following the telling of his emotional story on ESPN's E:60 from earlier this year.

Rose is essentially dead in the water at this point with no rhyme or reason for anything even remotely close to a push. He has no real prospects and would probably benefit from working the independent scene, making prime money as a former WWE star than wallowing away in obscurity this late in his career.

Credit: WWE.com

Winners: Tag Teams

NXT tag team champions Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder delivered a strong sit-down interview, during which they discussed their upcoming title defense against Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady. They balked at the idea of the certified Gs getting the opportunity, especially since they have beaten no one or won a match to determine the No. 1 contenders since falling to the champions months ago.

From there, two top contending teams battled for the right to earn consideration for the next shot as Jason Jordan and Chad Gable squared off with The Vaudevillains.

Jordan and Gable completely outclassed and outwrestled the former tag champions en route to another victory.

The post-match tease of a heel turn from Aiden English and Simon Gotch was a nice addition and should freshen up The Vaudevillains going into 2016.

Though there is still work to be done, the improvements already made to the tag division have been fun to watch, particularly in the case of Gable and Jordan, who bring a very real energy and excitement to the show.