The Story of The Last WCW Nitro

When it was at it's true height of popularity, WCW Monday Nitro was not only the most viewed wrestling television show in the world, but one of the most watch television shows period. WCW Nitro had recorded record viewership numbers and managed to gain more traction and viewers than it's main rival, WWF Monday Night Raw. All good things must come to an end though, and when WCW came to an end due to a ton of internal issues, the WWF swept in and purchased the company.
The final episode of WCW Nitro took place on March 26th 2001, and the night will go down as one of the most historic and noteworthy dates in pro wrestling. Featuring a one of a kind simulcast, Vince McMahon was able to appear on WWF Raw and WCW Nitro at the same time, live, to address the WCW fans and wrestlers. Along with this, a new WCW World Heavyweight Champion was crowned in Booker T, and Sting vs Ric Flair happened one more time in the last ever match on WCW Nitro. The last segment, however, featured Shane McMahon announcing that he owns WCW, not his father Vince.
This mini documentary takes a look at the last episode of WCW Nitro. Topics include:
- 02:03 : The AOL merger with Time Warner which spelled the end of WCW programming
- 05:49 : The stage is set for the last nitro at Panama City Beach in Florida
- 07:19 : Vince McMahon opens up the last WCW Nitro broadcast announcing he has bought World Championship Wrestling
- 09:08 : Ric Flair's promo against Vince McMahon
- 10:34 : Booker T wins the WCW World Heavyweight Championship on the final Nitro episode
- 15:23 : The last Sting vs Ric Flair match in WCW
- 17:29 : The TNN and TNT Simulcast featuring Vince McMahon on both WCW Nitro and WWF Raw
- Much More!
If you would like to support my work on KZbin, please conisder becoming a channel member. More info available here: / @wrestlingbios
#wwe #documentary #wrestling

[@criminalmindsgirl2936]

WWE told Kidman and Mysterio that they had no use for the Cruiserweight tag team championships so Kidman and Mysterio kept the belts. And they still have them.

[@penelope9788]

neat

[@malcolmcox18]

So technically they're still champions

[@Sammy4549]

@@malcolmcox18 19 year Champions.

[@YaowBucketHEAD]

@@Sammy4549 that's gotta be some sort of record.

[@devilrobrob]

@@Sammy4549 20 years*

[@austinsimmons4393]

A really great childhood memory of mine was being in high school in the mid and late 90s and flipping the channel back and forth every Monday night between Nitro on TNT and RAW on USA! I really miss the Monday Night wars. 😔

[@Kas58223]

Austin Simmons it was such a great time to love wrestling I was a fan of both WCW and WWF now WWE and caught ECW on VHS tapes I never thought WCW and ECW be gone WWF had no competition say what you will bout WCW but they brought the best out of each other

[@Perfection_Personified]

Yep, I remember having to decide which show I was liking more and check out what was goin on with the other show during commercials on the first show.

[@xantastic6301]

For me USA was channel 34 & TNN was channel 30

[@briguy459]

AEW is a good time man, give it a chance

[@rickisgrate]

Oh yeah flip that camel son

[@rishdog100]

Still can not honestly believe nearly 20 years ago WCW is no more ... Still unbelievable...

[@KairosObj]

The worst thing to happen to the industry.

[@CurlyFromTheSwirly]

​@@KairosObj I imagine McMahon is still happy about how things turned out, even though his company is leas successful now. Yeah, it's a sad thing... and at times unbelievable.

[@Nyfancam01]

Definitely the worst thing that ever happened. WCW RULED!!!!

[@allencollins5666]

@@CurlyFromTheSwirlyHe Can’t Be Happy. It’s Why His Company Is Not Successful And Make WCW 2000 Look Like Gold.

[@stonecoldsteveautistic1518]

As a kid I actually preferred WCW. I loved that they put alot of high flying Japanese and Lucha wrestlers on their books. That's what I felt WWF was missing then the attitude era began.

[@derek-64]

there's just always been something about WWE programming that just feels a little off to me. i preferred WCW. i liked the look and feel of it for the most part.

[@raulramirez9657]

Around 95-98, WCW definitely had the overall better product when it came to wrestling. Attitude era had the better storylines but the wrestling itself wasn’t as good. However, WWF had Bret Hart, who around that time was the best wrestler IMO. Then WCW had him and proceeded to misuse him

[@jcueto75]

@@raulramirez9657 WCW had better matches on the undercard matches with cruiserweights and guys like Jericho, Benoit, and Eddie Guerrero, but the WWF had better main event matches. By late 99 and going into 2000, WWF surpassed WCW as far as the in ring product goes not just because Jericho, Benoit, and Guerrero joined WWF but also because of the tag matches between the Dudley’s, Hardy’s, Edge and Christian and the arrival of Kurt Angle

[@CurlyFromTheSwirly]

​@@raulramirez9657 Better storyline is highly subjective. I found WWF to be ridiculously unbelievable. The concensus among my friends was WWF gave a better soap opera, while WCW gave better matches, and ECW had great violence.

[@dxtremecaliber]

@@CurlyFromTheSwirlywrestling storylines is always not realistic it is still is today people still loves it because its entertaining as hell but WWF have better storylines from 1998 to 2001

[@TheAutistWhisperer]

I'm glad you talked about the Time Warner/AOL merge, that's what killed WCW, not WWE.

[@josephjohnroe3678]

Lack of creativity and poor character development is what killed WCW.

[@0125DJ1989]

TheAutistWhisperer how so? That’s a statement I’ve never heard before.

[@jamesrich3426]

@@0125DJ1989 because that's when the new big wigs didn't want it played on their newly acquired tv stations... Did you not watch the video?!

[@derek-64]

you can thank that asshole jamie kellner for making the decision to pull wrestling off of turner broadcasting.

[@sweetpetergeda]

@@josephjohnroe3678 wrong

[@Brummiedan14]

To think WCW in it's dying days still drew stronger ratings than WWE do now.

[@FlipsideJr]

Dan Duffy that's bc more ppl watched cable TV back then that they do now. everybody uses streaming services and online content now.

[@Professor-of-Gaming]

@@FlipsideJr no, it's because wrestling had a period of about 5 years in the late 90's when it was huge. It isn't even comparable to today

[@isaiaharmand9901]

@@Professor-of-Gaming No because of the lack use of cable television lol Obvioulsy wrestling isn't as hot as it used to be but the main reason ratings are down is because you can watch shows a variety of ways now

[@calbear6073]

Life and society has changed. Wrestling will NEVER be what it once was.

[@Malfoy1594]

Today is a different age of media consumption... Wrestling isn't as hot as it used to be... But you ratings dont really define success anymore, like music charts.

[@godlevel5495]

I didn't know about "dirt sheets" back then so when I turned it to Nitro and I usually recorded Nitro so I can watch WWF, but seeing Vince of TNT my jaw dropped to the floor...I have that Nitro in my pile of WCW/WWF VHS collection lol

[@abearbrown1594]

what is VHS?

[@dxtremecaliber]

Can u share the actual airing footage?

[@Chukijay]

@@abearbrown1594 a long time ago movies and media was recorded on big plastic video cassettes. The player was called a VCR, the media format and media was referred to as VHS. Video cassette recorder and video home system, respectively. It was the format that became the standard in the mid 80s and lasted until the early 2000s when DVD finally took over as the prevalent media thanks to production companies wanting to have more security over physical media and the media on it.

[@MrSkullHead1250]

@@Chukijay Seeing this explained, makes me feel like a fossil LMAO.

[@CurlyFromTheSwirly]

​@@Chukijay It doesn't have as much to do with security as it's when a new technology comes along they can convince people to buy everything over again and they make more momey. Yeah, I've had to rebuy several movies on DVD. I do think it was worth it, as VHS rarely came wigh any deleted scenes or features. But I digress.

[@donkarnage6032]

Its a bit mind-boggling to think that WCW was sold for less than the contract value of some of their top stars.

[@thomasc.5219]

@THE CONFEDERACY WAS THE ORIGINAL SHITHOLE COUNTRY what? Classic wrestling died when WCW was created. It was all character based after that. But pure wrestling is coming back

[@gabrielguzman6018]

@THE CONFEDERACY WAS THE ORIGINAL SHITHOLE COUNTRY I agree as much as I love aew it will never have that wcw vibe that it did

[@deanbenford7363]

Rumor is that there was illegal collusion to facilitate the sale to mcmahon

[@gabrielguzman6018]

@@deanbenford7363 kind of figure hence why people are saying what they did was illegal and they should be in jail

[@acefreak9561]

What was 4 million or something?

[@strokeraceventura2550]

I had stopped watching WCW in 97 and switch my allegiance to WWF. I had no clue this was happening and had just began tuning into WCW again just a few months prior to the final episode. I was in shock and so sad that this was happening. I couldn’t believe it, it was like part of my youth had died.

[@AlonSOAMAZING]

Wcw was real good 98 ans 99 it was the Monday night wars how were you not watching ? Or flipping back and forth

[@commiehunter733]

I loved wcw, but started watching wwf more when the rock was gaining popularity

[@Coyote-wm5op]

I still would’ve liked to see what wcw would’ve became if Eric bought it and rebooted.

[@protohass]

Probably would have lasted longer after 2000 and would have gave wwe more competition which is better then simply buying it out

[@himahosni9440]

Wwe would've been crapping their pants Period.

[@alexmarquez9639]

TNA

[@BigBeerus]

Tna

[@JoeBatson]

What AEW is now

[@4bangerlove]

I started watching WCW in 1997 and probably never missed an episode up until the last one. I remember this episode, I was 16 years old and was sad it was over.

[@criminalmindsgirl2936]

Say what you want about Eric Bischoff but at least he tried to save WCW.

[@Michael_Chandler_Keaton]

Wouldn't have needed saving if he hadn't ruined it. WWF and WCW were different products. WCW was the heir of the territories: "real" pro wrestling. WWF was sports entertainment. WCW existed as the top pro wrestling company, and WWF existed as the top sports entertainment company. Eric tried to make WCW "WWF lite." You can't beat Vince at Vince's game. Should have left WCW alone.

[@megamike15]

had ted turner not been pushed up stairs due to the merger they could have salvaged it.

[@criminalmindsgirl2936]

@@Michael_Chandler_Keaton, I totally agree with your comment. I should have looked at by your point of view.

[@Michael_Chandler_Keaton]

@@criminalmindsgirl2936 Thanks. Well I didn't always feel this way. Just studying the history of it, I realized that with Ole and Dusty and Flair, the idea wasn't to beat Vince, the idea was to cater to their audience, and guys made a decent living and that audience was never in danger of being lost to Vince. WCW was also a pretty good ratings puller. They had a nice niche. Once Bischoff decided to go to war with Vince, it was just a matter of time.

[@TheWazperviz]

Agreed. Eric Bischoff tried his best to try and save WCW but things never worked. At least WCW lives on via the WWE Network

[@clwintemberg9214]

I watched it live as it happened and brings back a lot of memories. I'm still sad WCW went under.

[@GibDozer1]

I couldn't watch the last episode. Really the end of WcW was the end of wrestling for me for a long time.

[@wuffy8006]

I didn't like wcw, but I respect your opinion. I don't like wwe today, so maybe wrestling died shortly after wcw.

[@TDizzle2986]

I watched it live as it happened to & I'm still sad that it went under.

[@kingcook-we7vw]

I was 13 I watched I was so confused. And it just felt weird.

[@iiambarratt4255]

@@kingcook-we7vw I was 12 and so confused lol

[@Trill_4_Life]

March 31st 2001 I turned 15. I actually got that last WCW Worldwide recorded

[@WrestlingBios]

I'd be interested in seeing this!

[@allencollins1617]

I'd Be Interested In Seeing It Too. I Bet It Was Better Than Today's WWE.

[@Trill_4_Life]

I’ve gotta go through over 200 plus blank tapes. I have it dated so I’ll try to find it

[@AliciaJonestv]

Trill Fam 4 Life that’s cool!

[@KinGoftheWesT04]

Are you gonna put it on KZbin or a link somewhere?

[@thegeekwithin91]

Discovered this channel about a week ago. Best discovery I could've hoped for. Amazing in depth info and awesome narration.

[@xantastic6301]

This channel is awesome

[@JohnnyGoodBehavior]

Check out OSW

[@thegeekwithin91]

@@JohnnyGoodBehavior I knew OSW for a few years. Phenomenal channel also.

[@crisdmt5479]

2019 and stil missing the WCW 😭

[@danwallace1298]

yea says alot about wrestling now . its the ufc era now wrestling has had its day it might never get back to those heights

[@andrearojas1248]

But 2010-2013 TNA kinda was WCW 2.0.

[@4thEyeVision]

R.I.P WCW 😥

[@lordalexanderxcv7586]

The beginning of the end of pro wrestling

[@Horvat04]

exactly

[@billkuhl4051]

You got that right. The end

[@karlitosway7474]

Clearly it wasn’t since it’s still alive and thriving today. Sure ratings are lower and attendance isn’t the same but WWE is still making millions whether you wanna admit it or not

[@lordalexanderxcv7586]

@@karlitosway7474 if you think it's still alive and thriving then more power to you

[@Machete87]

The day as wrestling as we know it ended

[@Juwellz18]

I'll never forget flipping between channels watching nitro and raw that night. I thought it was so crazy to see Vince and Shane on WCW.

[@propanepusher101]

I remember this night. Ric Flair coming out and doing is oration was top notch and then calling out Sting,, to the words of, " How about it Sting ? one more time ? "and Sting coming out to accept, That was the best example of love for the sport by two wrestlers before or since. Both new the axe had fallen but that was one of the best matches Flair and Sting ever did. They new the ship was sunk but both still gave 110% for the fans one last time.

[@juggalogamer8541]

I remember watching the last night as a kid man that was a sad night growing up as a huge WCW fan

[@kerpal321]

the end of nitro was truly the end of an era

[@Difrentstyles]

I remember this night where i lived in Massachusetts there was a blackout in the town. We had to wait to see the end of the show.

[@MohamedAli-xu3uw]

What was the reaction to WCW's demise.

[@MohamedAli-xu3uw]

@@rubberchix 😕

[@frankaresco553]

What part of mass

[@Difrentstyles]

@@frankaresco553 Quincy

[@tonytom5242]

Who's still pissed Vince blown this opportunity

[@2RG_]

Get over it

[@jojobeware4873]

@@2RG_ the company was dead in the water anyways

[@advantagetraining6761]

Nah that was 2001...long ago

[@loanswashere.]

@@2RG_ just imagine if they avoid it Damn the land scape would be different

[@poopsyko]

Vince didn’t blow it,the wrestlers who were still being paid for their contracts who refused to let them go(as opposed to the ones who were willing to sell theirs) It was a missed opportunity yes but not on Vince,he would have given us Goldberg and Sting and even more big stars in the invasion but it was up to them to sell their contracts to Vince

[@AliciaJonestv]

I promise this channel is amazing!! You are working hard! Thank you!

[@tommychong3588]

Now

[@rockk9753]

How is that a promise? Lol thats just a basic opinion

[@AliciaJonestv]

@@rockk9753 okay thanks 😂😂

[@crazyparanormalinvestigato2007]

I honestly cried when it went off the air for the final time wcw and wwe was my childhood growing up in the 90's

[@jayloncarter4836]

WCW to me will always be the the show that made some many great moments I really wish they could of kept going for one more year but I don't think they really could but I thank WCW for everything they have done. R.I.P WCW Monday Nitro.

[@TheWazperviz]

I really miss WCW. I loved the product. They also had an excellent roster with so much talent

[@JohnDoe-qn3ut]

I loved WCW to the very end. This brought back a lot of memories. Thank you!

[@SuperNuttyPuddyBuddy]

Me too. People always sh*t on it but to me wcw was special. It still pisses me off that this even happened.

[@sigitfebiano1462]

Sting always be The Most Wanted Icon in Wrestling....

[@sliferxxxx]

In wcw world? Yes. In general no.

[@rjstine1247]

And WWE acknowledged Sting's retirement on air on Monday Night Raw the day after an his last AEW match. Yes, Sting is an Icon and times have changed now that Vince is gone forever.

[@Jabranalibabry]

It's a sad truth but the attitude era was a reaction to wcw/nWo . Vince had always wanted to keep WWE a kiddie show. Once WCW went so did the attitude era and the rest is history. It was amazing while it lasted.

[@raulramirez9657]

@Samuel Wellsagreed. Bret Hart and his feud with Austin were the only things that were better but WCW pretty much was better at everything else during that time.

[@SerdceDanko]

I stopped watching wrestling after the end of WCW.

[@markthomas2330]

As did I my friend. As did I..

[@murraysaucedo897]

I stopped shortly after the Invasion ppv

[@dannyfonseca7856]

I have followed WCW since it was nwa 1985 but still watch wrestling it's not the same 😦

[@FiercedeityBrad]

I quit as well

[@generalkayoss7347]

I kept watching for a few months until I realized the top stars from WCW weren't in the WWF, and they were burying all the guys that did go over.

[@StunnersSquadEnt]

Wcw was great for the business especially in the late 90's

[@chicken636]

I always loved being able to watch Clash of the Champions. Their PPV style event but completely free really hit the spot.

[@martyklestadt6766]

Not completely free--unless you were stealing your cable signal.

[@criminalmindsgirl2936]

"Like the creepy old man that he truly is..." 😂😂😂

[@TG5455]

Plus the creepy old man made his woman bark like a dog. What a creep. 😆

[@criminalmindsgirl2936]

@@TG5455, totally true!

[@ii9714]

Try AEW

[@criminalmindsgirl2936]

@@ii9714, thanks!

[@mikieson]

nothing creepy about an older woman being with younger guys though? Thats how most see it anyways..Im all for being with whomever you want..young,old or inbetween..

[@blackout8777]

Man this one of the few videos to where the narrator knows what hes talking about. Thanks bro these other youtubers literally repeat other videos they've seen or shit from dirt sheets

[@Cplusherron]

Miss the flipping back and forth to nitro and raw. Having a dvr would’ve been handy back then.

[@d.b2664]

I think that's how DVR came to be the wrestling wars

[@wulver810]

@@d.b2664 VCR on another TV.

[@Ricanson21]

You still can with AEW and NXT

[@MrNightshade2010]

actually if you lived past texas you could watch one then another because tnt wasn't time delayed so if it was on at 8pm then it was on at 5 pm pacfic or 6 pm central/mountain it wasn't until near the end that they were on the same time on the west coast …. that's how I knew mick foley won the wwe title before anyone else who didn't watch nitro

[@koDaffi]

There was DVR back then. TiVo but not a lot of people had it.

[@breezy9297]

I've never clicked on a video so fast. LOL I love your Channel!

[@freetown1086]

Breezy I agree wit you

[@TheWazperviz]

He does a great job at making videos and did a great job covering WCW

[@423LoveRboY]

I miss those days as a teenager...

[@thefestivalofatonement2470]

Would've been awesome had Sting wore his surfer ring attire & face paint for that final match on Nitro...

[@Kas58223]

The Festival of Atonement that would have been awesome Ric Flair has said that he was their Ultimate Warrior but he was ten times better and a great guy on top of it

[@KatchouroBlade]

It's surprising so few people know about Warrior and Sting's days as The Blade Runners. They were both green back then - Sting improved, Warrior didn't.

[@Kas58223]

KatchouroBlade I knew that they were a tag team and in warrior short WCW run they were put back together as the blade runners facing Hollywood Hulk Hogan and Bret Hart

[@countof3everybodyOD]

KatchouroBlade warrior did on the mic

[@kevinpayton2664]

I remember watching Sting and Warrior in Memphis in their early days as the Freedom Fighters. At that time they were still learning.

[@jesseh3557]

I had no idea it was happening while I was watching the episode. It was depressing.

[@ZlothZloth]

Here, too. I still call the Sting vs. Flair match the "tear-jerker" match.

[@IMDARKFIRE007]

I saw this show as did my best friend with no knowledge of Vince's purchase....to this day it remains the most stunning moment in wrestling history for me. We spent the whole episode wondering...hoping it was a work of some kind. Also I am still in disbelief Billy Kidman is now a WWE producer backstage.

[@pumpkinsdontcry]

You're a main event player. Mr KZbin Recommend. The show stopper.

[@dianneEdangerously]

Four million?! I literally gasped omg that’s it, cmon Jesus This is like a death inside. How sad I love you Bischoff 💜

[@broussard41]

Ooeey’s os

[@dmichael1172]

Chris Jericho and DDP said same thing. They said they'd buy it if they knew the price was so low.

[@darleneparsons8536]

I miss WCW that was good wrestling back in the day. WWE sucks now it's boring nd stupid.

[@allencollins1617]

Yes, 2 Times, Yes👈Ye👈Yes👈Yes👈Yes👈Yes👈Yes👈Yes👈Yes👈Yes👈Yes👈Yes👈Yes👈Yes👈Yes👈Yes👈Yes👈Yes👈Yes👈Yes👈

[@ZlothZloth]

Yeah - both groups were better when there was real competition between them. Before WCW got going strong, WWF would only show ONE match between real, contending wrestlers per show. The other two hours were interviews and jobber matches.

[@kamaljoseph7001]

Why complain about it though it is 19 years since WCW kicked the bucket if wrestling today is not the same don't watch it like most WCW fans.

[@MatthewMills.]

Watching Nitro in the UK on a Friday night on TNT (after Cartoon Network) was the absolute joy of my childhood, I miss it so much!

[@harjeetmanku8633]

I think that was WCW Thunder though not Nitro.

[@MatthewMills.]

@@harjeetmanku8633 Nitro was on a Friday night in the UK at 9pm, I think Thunder was on a Saturday night (possibly 11pm).

[@dathoepopdookie]

Awesome work as usual i remember watching the last nitro live and i can still remember being in total shock that wcw as we knew it was done. Then like 2 months later ecw officially shut down it was truly a sad time as a pro wrestling fan.

[@MzGumby02]

I use to love watching Thunder on Thursdays too...Gosh I miss the 80s and 90s.

[@enzootto9412]

March 26, 2001, "Black Monday," wrestling lost it's soul...

[@shannonmurray34]

This is why I always say Vince ruined wrestling.

[@Agentshadowolf]

vince didnt ruin anything, blame all those involved with WCW that lead to its downfall lol

[@protohass]

@Ryan Sondalle his own ego and power trips is what cripled his company he thought buying out the competition would keep him on top but it kills any creativeness you have

[@underpressure07140]

Once you stop innovating and improving, the only way to go is downhill

[@kforcer]

Man, I thought Booker T-Scott Steiner was a great match, honestly. You could really feel the intensity and emotion in it and there were some great spots; not many guys Booker T's size could float out of a powerbomb like he did. Also, it gave a proper bookend to the Steiner-Booker T rivalry, letting the good guy come out on top. That happened all too seldom in WCW.

[@0125DJ1989]

I sat down and watched without knowing of the purchase lol I was shocked and in disbelief

[@damosilcox3710]

Make that video on invasion. My friends and I were there a few rows from the ring. I had it taped and overtime vhs quality poops out. It would be interesting to see if we show up on your vid. Sealed in time forever. Plus your videos rock. I had a farooq sign and a clubee sign lol. We threw a squish ball in the ring during angles match that shows up alot lol. Brings back memories n good times. Thanks for all you do for us fans.

[@derek-64]

while i thought it was a good show i find it sad that ric flair was actually glad to see the doors close on WCW. that was your home, ric. sure the company had a lot of ups and downs but it was still your home and it was home to a lot of other wrestlers who busted their asses to show the world what they were capable of. i miss WCW and i'm sure a lot of other people miss it as well.

[@TheHorrorMiserMontyG]

It's still amazing to see that show because it was something no one though it was ever happen. Seeing Vince on Nitro will always be one of the greatest moments to occur in wrestling.

[@djgaben6187]

Fun fact, you now can find the last WCW Worldwide episode on youtube now. Bless whomever posted it.

[@kevinpayton2664]

I wonder if the last WCW Saturday Night telecast is on KZbin. I'll have to look and see.

[@MohamedAli-xu3uw]

The day wrestling died.

[@helenajiang1786]

sad face :(

[@MohamedAli-xu3uw]

@@helenajiang1786 Exactly baby.

[@jaydav6521]

The day wrestling died was the day that Jim Crocket sold out to Ted Turner.

[@MohamedAli-xu3uw]

@@jaydav6521 why

[@jaydav6521]

@@MohamedAli-xu3uw because no promotion has been that good ever since. WCW was a walking dead zombie version of Crocket until it tried to be like WWE. And WWE was trash until it started booking like ECW light.

[@msperry1719]

Thank you for all the time and work you put in producing these videos. #ForeverWCW #ForeverNWA

[@Perfection_Personified]

Interesting and insightful, well done man, thank you.

[@ryansaunders65]

I think McMahon should have bought it, kept it quiet and run it as it was.

[@The_Bad_Guy.]

Yeah exactly. And improved and upgraded it significantly and kept the WCW brand. But big ego Vince had to show everyone that he won and it ruined the product in a few years.

[@Coyote-wm5op]

I thought the same thing. You buy the WCW brand why not use it? Keep raw on Monday and call it nitro or thunder on Thursday. Vince really has shot himself in the foot.

[@teamspirits732]

They can't put Nitro and Thunder on the same week as Raw and SmackDown otherwise it'll take up slot too. The least they could done is turn Nitro and Thunder into Pay-Per-View shows, would be a major hit for them.

[@Coyote-wm5op]

Team Spirits no, not airing four separate shows each week (raw, nitro, smack down, and thunder). Get rid of smack down and reboot it as Nitro so they have Raw and Nitro. Much like the NFLs AFC and NFC. Have ones from each roster/show meet at wrestle mania similar to NFL playoffs.

[@ii9714]

His ego wouldn't allow it

[@blakerackley8874]

Credit where credit is due, the immediate storyline with Shane taking over WCW from Vince was brilliant. They didn't waste an opportunity to stir drama before WCW wrestlers were formerly assimilated into the WWF (E) roster.

[@zemox2534]

Just imagine if Shane really did buy WCW in 2001. The wrestling landscape would look very different today.

[@reidboggs4344]

It would have worked a lot better if Bischoff had been involved as well. Maybe worked out a contract loan deal with AOL/Time Warner for Goldberg or someone at least to give the invasion angle some actual oomph. Maybe have Foley do a heel turn during the invasion and join Heyman in ECW as well.

[@andreasmoog9561]

Im glad that I've had found your channel a few months ago. I'm always looking forward to your knew videos. And the reason is quite simple: you love wrestling the same way as I do!!! Keep up that great work! Greetings from Germany 🤙✌🤘🤘

[@CarimboHanky]

back in the day i used to have 2 tvs next to eachother so i could "watch" both shows at the same time, so imagine my surprise when i sat in front of my 2 tvs to watch wcw/wwf and i see vince on my "wcw tv" 😲 sadly wwf was never the same once the war ended

[@TheWazperviz]

At least WCW lives on via the WWE Network keeping the brand alive forever in the minds of many

[@derek-64]

sometimes i still find it disgusting to know that WCW is owned by WWE and the mcmahon family.

[@TheWazperviz]

@@derek-64 be glad WCW still lives on because of the WWE Network

[@derek-64]

@@TheWazperviz i'm glad it's able to live on somehow through that. i just wish it wasn't owned by vince and co.

[@TheWazperviz]

@@derek-64 why?

[@derek-64]

@@TheWazperviz just doesn't feel right

[@mariosanchez8236]

Good Lawd, man! Has so much time passed that a brief definition/explanation of what AOL was is now merited? Well, there's another "I guess I'm old" moment to throw atop my now ever growing fire.

[@ironman2326]

I saw that last wcw worldwide and remember thinking "that's it. Its over"

[@shadisawaqed940]

they should have kept wcw going as a separate show. with Shane running things and then having a feud with Vince on which company is better . it would make for a great storyline..

[@ironman2326]

Oh for sure!

[@jknight1984]

they ran a beta test THE WEEK BEFORE going to Atlanta in July 2001 with the infamous Buff Bagwell/Booker T. match and the brass felt that the risk wasn’t worth it.

[@mrdiamonde]

Shadi Sawaqed they didn’t have a tv slot to air.

[@yell0wberry]

Shadi Sawaqed you definitely took the words right out of my mouth

[@TheFishingNomad]

That was the original plan, but like was mentioned in the beginning of this video, no one wanted to give them TV time. It was either cut time from smack down or raw to make room for wcw or cut wcw completely. Can't say I blame them for their choice.

[@rmalmeida1976]

I remember watching this episode in the barracks with all of my squadron buddies. Since we were normal people who had real lives, WWE purchasing WCW and seeing Mr. McMahon on Nitro was a complete shock to us.

[@stevenpeeven3169]

No wonder Tony Schiavone looked visibly worried. He gave away Raw results and was one of the more vocal about his rivals. "That'll put butts in seats"

[@henrygvidonas9573]

He had worked for the WWF before for about a year or so in 1989/90 and that didn't work out at all, so he went back down south to WCW. He never even got a lowball offer from the WWF after WCW was done. Nothing, not even a phone call. That's why he didn't work in wrestling for almost one and a half decades, with the exception of one appearance in TNA, until he got with MLW and Tony Khan eventually added him to his human trophy collection in AEW.

[@strawberrystarburstbuthuman]

@@henrygvidonas9573 he didn't work in wrestling cuz he didn't get any calls, he went to do baseball commentary instead.

[@Fauwkes]

@@strawberrystarburstbuthumanit was for the better. He sucked on commentary

[@kennethcraig8656]

I was there. I'm not sure it was "common knowledge" there were plenty of surprised people in attendance. I certainly wasn't aware but by then I wasn't following wrestling super closely.

[@kennethcraig8656]

@@rubberchix About what exactly? Evidentally being a mark?

[@impactrc6427]

Rubberchix jealous much? 😂😂😂

[@MohamedAli-xu3uw]

@@kennethcraig8656 What was thier reaction after the show?

[@adamofgrayskull7735]

I witnessed vince on Nitro and had no idea I flipped out

[@elgoat4637]

Shane was on nitro Vince was on raw

[@ironman2326]

Same

[@adamofgrayskull7735]

@@ironman2326 🤘😜🤘

[@BrianLG100]

I found out The day it happened when my classmates told me it was all over, so I expected it, and I was like wow. Really.

[@BrianSmith-ct3kh]

@@elgoat4637 The cold open was Vince in front of the Raw interview set live from Cleveland.

[@jacobwebb2623]

I genuinely love these videos. I started watching wrestling in the very early 1980s with my Grandfather and was a HUGE fan through the early 200s. I vividly remember the "Monday night wars" and really miss WCW. I loved WWF,,,, yes I said "F" but I really liked it when there were two different companies fighting for the number one slot. I'm not saying that everything WCW did was perfect, I just thought wrestling in general was better when viewers had a choice, it made both companies really try. Like I said love these videos please keep making them. THANKS!

[@CurlyFromTheSwirly]

It's ok to say WWF. The real WWF isn't going to sue you. 😂 To be serious now, the company was WWF bsck then, and I think it's fair to say WWF.

[@MrKurtBarlow]

You sir, Do a hell of a job. Great channel.

[@tonyreed9795]

When the real wrestling died 🤤😪😔

[@kevinpayton2664]

WCW was great to watch. I wish that it was still around.

[@TheWazperviz]

Many of us miss WCW. At one time the biggest wrestling company in the world of wrestling

[@derek-64]

@@TheWazperviz one of my favorite things was chris jericho and ralphus

[@dannyfonseca7856]

Truly believe it will come back to fight as a monster company💪

[@taylormademyself89]

Another great vid always great to watch a vid made by a fellow wrestling fan that's been watching wrestling as long as I have lol

[@MondoMiami]

Vince did not call Panama City a “dump.” He mocked WCW for having their final Nitro “in a beer hall.” Facts matter.

[@joegilmore6690]

This is why I am backing AEW because it will force WWE to actually try. WWE has had no competition since WCW. Due to lack of competition WWE became very lazy creatively and went to PG. Tried watching Raw and Smackdown recently and I found it to be very difficult to make it through them. The product is very boring to me and this is coming from a big WWF/WWE fan. Been watching AEW since it debuted and I think its a much better product. The only issue with AEW is it needs better character development. Too many matches and not enough mic/storylines. Ratings have not been the best which my guess is the lack of BIG NAME talent. Your basically leaning on Chris Jericho. I am hoping AEW doesn't turn out to be another TNA type situation because I would love for wrestling to become watchable again!

[@MrSkullHead1250]

I absolutely agree. The monday night wars put pressure on both sides. The Attitude Era was born out of the need to be different and made Vince give the WWF a whole new look and feel, made him take risks. After WCW, it was just a slow decent into laziness. No more real pressure, he beat his biggest competitor. To be fair though, WCW wasn't the best at the time anyway, but still.

[@Chi-town1369]

@Stephen Greenhorn 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@tammylewis2408]

@Stephen GreenhornVince has finally stepped down; Triple H and Stephanie are now running it. They have done away with the PG era for starters. Only time will tell if the changes will help.

[@cultofsgc]

The video title made my heart sink 😔

[@chipskylark172]

I was 9 years old I had no idea Vince bought WCW until he showed up on nitro. I remember watching the last nitro vividly. FYI Shane helms has the coolest entrance this night lol

[@Dud512]

I was 9 too and literally went on the tv guide to see if WCW was coming back next week

[@Trill_4_Life]

I watched Nitro that night. I freaked out seeing Vince at the start of Nitro

[@TheWazperviz]

Vince McMahon should had came out on WCW Nitro instead of Shane McMahon now that would had been history making

[@ginoterminiello1953]

I remember this well, thought it was hilarious the great Vincent Kennedy McMahon getting out foxed and outsmarted by his son Shane, awesome.😀😀

[@charleshobbs5079]

Ummm yea

[@KenAdams426]

with rick's hair and such in this, I kept thinking it was David LOL

[@gamertimefuntime4245]

It still saddens me, my favorite wrestling show went out of business. And it’s been 20 years.

[@kylelongwar356]

I was a wwf fan at the time and I had NO IDEA that this was happening until I watched it live on Raw. It was WILD. My friends and I were freaking tf out

[@morganchapleau2973]

I watched this live on TNT as a 14 year old kid. For me this was pre home internet so it was a genuine surprise and huge anticipation for the coming weeks. Perhaps I'm still bitter about VKM destroying the WCW brand....maybe that's why I'm a huge AEW mark these days

[@hassamali8887]

I still remember Those Iconic words .. I own wcw

[@TheSilencer1776]

That was a good show. I still have a VHS recording of it somewhere live on TNT.

[@norm1233]

Awesome you put the membership at the beginning! Good call doing that as not everyone watches the entire video as I'm sure your analytics show, I definitely do! Love your work, going to be a member!

[@WrestlingBios]

I followed your advice from the Flair video!

[@norm1233]

@@WrestlingBios awesome!

[@skarekrow101]

I remember when this happened. I was young and didn't even have a computer at the time, so I had no idea Vince had bought WCW. I was a WWF fan and remember Vince announcing this on Raw. I switched over to WCW to verify that this was actually true. My mind was blown to see Vince on the big screen on WCW! I was team WWF so I remember feeling great because this meant we finally won the war 😆.

[@CurlyFromTheSwirly]

A lot of us had heard Bishof was buying the company. I don't remember exact what I knew all those years ago. But I had friends who were heavily into wrestling and sports, some even worked a sports show on Saturday and were talking about Bishof buying it. Maybe they said potentially, but I don't remember. I myself wasn't that into iit to read all the news.

[@robertortiz251]

Hey Wrestling Bios just a idea for future bio Outback Jack thanks! for your great work.

[@mrblonde609]

WCW off air was the moment that i pretty much lost interest in wrestling. Was a big fan of both WCW and WWF at that time, but since WCW was gone and WWF went to a PPV channel in germany, i pretty much had no choice. Must've been 13 at that time. It took many years for WWF to come back on free tv, but at that moment i pretty much missed the whole WCW invasion angle and i had no interest to watch WWE anymore. I missed Hogan Vs. The Rock, the nWo reuinion, Scott Steiner and pretty much everything, that was interesting after the end of WCW. Nowadays, feeling nostalgic, i love channels like this and i still love the memories.

[@andrearojas1248]

WWF was off any TV in Germany late 1990's /early 2000's while WCW was all over on "Premiere World. DSF Action" with live PPV's and full episodes of Nitro & Thunder. WCW even held two exclusive German PPV's. I also quit watching wrestling for about three Years after this final Nitro. I tried WWE 2004-2006 with decent program but changed to TNA in 2006 as my hero Sting was there and never cared about WWE again until he joined in 2014. Since then I try to stick with WWE but it's very had at times no not lose interest. It's The Fiend currently exciting. Anything else is almost unwatchable.

[@coreyhutton478]

Only the geeks and losers knew about Vince buying WCW back then. For most of us, it was a shock to see him on WCW.

[@tommychong3588]

Yes sir

[@faeriegraver]

I didn't know that Vince had brought out WCW, I was always a huge WCW mark during the 90s, but had long come to terms with the WWF product being superior, although I still had a soft spot for WCW. At the time I didn't have the means to watch Nitro. So the first I knew of any of it was putting WWF Heat on, and the opening segment being Vince, and then Shane appearing on the last Nitro. I marked out harder than I ever have, and think I ever will... And I've had some intense mark outs, I still do, haha. I was so disappointed by the way the invasion played out.

[@demetriuse.stroud4016]

IT WAS ONE OF THE SADDEST DAY IN MY WHEN W.C.W CLOSE THE DOORS FOREVER. R.I.P W.C.W

[@dannyfonseca7856]

My favorite company of all time since 1985 gone really miss wcw but believe a rich promoter will bring it back 👍

[@jimbowers1693]

Vastly growing channel, well done you - another top video - been watching you from the early days.... Keep up the regular content, no need to change what your doing. Hopefully one day you will do the Big John Stud episode !!!

[@jkali7584]

Dude as a fellow Irish man to Irish man could you please do the whole invasion angle in full I’m trying to get my daughter into old school wrestling 🤘🏽 cheers pal

[@EdgeOfEntropy17]

Honestly, I feel that Flair is a liar when he says he was glad to see WCW go. I saw how he initially reacted to the purchase. Trust me, he was NOT happy.

[@allencollins5666]

Yes. WWE Probably Paid Him To Say It. So Many WWE Wrestlers Should Hated It At WWE For 10 Years.

[@pika23]

That was a black Friday deal! 4 million! If I hit the lottery I coulda bought it. If I hit the lottery I would buy a fed.

[@jamesrich3426]

Yeah right, 4 million was a horrible deal... Wouldn't have been able to get it played and had to pay a lot of people.

[@sappyfoot]

go get your fedora

[@BeaMode1990]

That day was so insane. I thought that it was a rumor that WCW was going under. Then when I seen the beginning of Raw I knew it was the truth. I spent the night flipping back & forth between USA & TNT savoring the last time I'd be watching both Raw & Nitro at the same time.

[@cfhcowboy9292]

I cried that night .. i loved wcw . Great memories