Season 1
Episode: 1x01 | Airdate: Sep 4, 1995 (60 min)
The very first episode of Nitro was broadcast from the Mall of America in Minneapolis, Minnesota on September 4, 1995. The featured matches on the one-hour broadcast were Brian Pillman versus Jushin Thunder Liger, Ric Flair versus WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Sting, and WCW World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan taking on Big Bubba Rogers. The show was also highlighted by the return of Lex Luger to WCW after having spent the previous two years wrestling for the WWF, where he had been one of the promotion's top stars. Luger's appearance was particularly jarring because he had just wrestled a match for the WWF the previous evening on a Live Pay-Per-View card; the match was his final contractual obligation with the company, and Luger signed with WCW the morning of his appearance. The event set the tone for Nitro's "anything can happen" atmosphere, and prefigured the similar defections of WWF wrestlers Scott Hall and Kevin Nash the following year.
Episode: 1x02 | Airdate: Sep 11, 1995 (180 min)
Episode: 1x03 | Airdate: Sep 18, 1995 (180 min)
Episode: 1x04 | Airdate: Sep 25, 1995 (180 min)
Episode: 1x05 | Airdate: Oct 2, 1995 (180 min)
Episode: 1x06 | Airdate: Oct 9, 1995 (180 min)
Episode: 1x07 | Airdate: Oct 16, 1995 (180 min)
Episode: 1x08 | Airdate: Oct 23, 1995 (180 min)
Episode: 1x09 | Airdate: Oct 30, 1995 (180 min)
Episode: 1x10 | Airdate: Nov 6, 1995 (180 min)
Episode: 1x11 | Airdate: Nov 13, 1995 (180 min)
Episode: 1x12 | Airdate: Nov 20, 1995 (180 min)
Episode: 1x13 | Airdate: Nov 27, 1995 (180 min)
Episode: 1x14 | Airdate: Dec 4, 1995 (180 min)
Episode: 1x15 | Airdate: Dec 11, 1995 (180 min)
Episode: 1x16 | Airdate: Dec 18, 1995 (180 min)
Episode: 1x17 | Airdate: Dec 25, 1995 (180 min)
Season 2
Episode: 2x01 | Airdate: Jan 1, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x02 | Airdate: Jan 8, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x03 | Airdate: Jan 15, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x04 | Airdate: Jan 22, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x05 | Airdate: Jan 29, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x06 | Airdate: Feb 5, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x07 | Airdate: Feb 12, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x08 | Airdate: Feb 19, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x09 | Airdate: Feb 26, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x10 | Airdate: Mar 11, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x11 | Airdate: Mar 18, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x12 | Airdate: Mar 25, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x13 | Airdate: Apr 1, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x14 | Airdate: Apr 15, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x15 | Airdate: Apr 22, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x16 | Airdate: Apr 29, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x17 | Airdate: May 6, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x18 | Airdate: May 13, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x19 | Airdate: May 20, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x20 | Airdate: May 27, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x21 | Airdate: Jun 3, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x22 | Airdate: Jun 10, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x23 | Airdate: Jun 17, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x24 | Airdate: Jun 24, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x25 | Airdate: Jul 1, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x26 | Airdate: Jul 8, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x27 | Airdate: Jul 15, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x28 | Airdate: Jul 22, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x29 | Airdate: Jul 29, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x30 | Airdate: Aug 5, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x31 | Airdate: Aug 12, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x32 | Airdate: Aug 19, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x33 | Airdate: Aug 26, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x34 | Airdate: Sep 2, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x35 | Airdate: Sep 9, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x36 | Airdate: Sep 16, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x37 | Airdate: Sep 23, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x38 | Airdate: Sep 30, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x39 | Airdate: Oct 7, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x40 | Airdate: Oct 14, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x41 | Airdate: Oct 21, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x42 | Airdate: Oct 28, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x43 | Airdate: Nov 4, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x44 | Airdate: Nov 11, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x45 | Airdate: Nov 18, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x46 | Airdate: Nov 25, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x47 | Airdate: Dec 2, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x48 | Airdate: Dec 9, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x49 | Airdate: Dec 16, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x50 | Airdate: Dec 23, 1996 (180 min)
Episode: 2x51 | Airdate: Dec 30, 1996 (180 min)
Season 3
Episode: 3x01 | Airdate: Jan 6, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x02 | Airdate: Jan 13, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x03 | Airdate: Jan 20, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x04 | Airdate: Jan 27, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x05 | Airdate: Feb 3, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x06 | Airdate: Feb 10, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x07 | Airdate: Feb 17, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x08 | Airdate: Feb 24, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x09 | Airdate: Mar 3, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x10 | Airdate: Mar 10, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x11 | Airdate: Mar 17, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x12 | Airdate: Mar 24, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x13 | Airdate: Mar 31, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x14 | Airdate: Apr 7, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x15 | Airdate: Apr 14, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x16 | Airdate: Apr 21, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x17 | Airdate: Apr 28, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x18 | Airdate: May 5, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x19 | Airdate: May 12, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x20 | Airdate: May 19, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x21 | Airdate: May 26, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x22 | Airdate: Jun 2, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x23 | Airdate: Jun 9, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x24 | Airdate: Jun 16, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x25 | Airdate: Jun 23, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x26 | Airdate: Jun 30, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x27 | Airdate: Jul 7, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x28 | Airdate: Jul 14, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x29 | Airdate: Jul 22, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x30 | Airdate: Jul 28, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x31 | Airdate: Aug 4, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x32 | Airdate: Aug 11, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x33 | Airdate: Aug 18, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x34 | Airdate: Aug 25, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x35 | Airdate: Sep 1, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x36 | Airdate: Sep 8, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x37 | Airdate: Sep 15, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x38 | Airdate: Sep 22, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x39 | Airdate: Sep 29, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x40 | Airdate: Oct 6, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x41 | Airdate: Oct 13, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x42 | Airdate: Oct 20, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x43 | Airdate: Oct 27, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x44 | Airdate: Nov 3, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x45 | Airdate: Nov 10, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x46 | Airdate: Nov 17, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x47 | Airdate: Nov 24, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x48 | Airdate: Dec 1, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x49 | Airdate: Dec 8, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x50 | Airdate: Dec 15, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x51 | Airdate: Dec 22, 1997 (180 min)
Episode: 3x52 | Airdate: Dec 29, 1997 (180 min)
Season 4
Episode: 4x01 | Airdate: Jan 5, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x02 | Airdate: Jan 12, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x03 | Airdate: Jan 19, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x04 | Airdate: Jan 26, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x05 | Airdate: Feb 2, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x06 | Airdate: Feb 9, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x07 | Airdate: Feb 16, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x08 | Airdate: Feb 23, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x09 | Airdate: Mar 2, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x10 | Airdate: Mar 9, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x11 | Airdate: Mar 16, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x12 | Airdate: Mar 23, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x13 | Airdate: Mar 30, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x14 | Airdate: Apr 6, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x15 | Airdate: Apr 13, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x16 | Airdate: Apr 20, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x17 | Airdate: Apr 27, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x18 | Airdate: Apr 28, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x19 | Airdate: May 4, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x20 | Airdate: May 11, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x21 | Airdate: May 18, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x22 | Airdate: May 25, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x23 | Airdate: Jun 1, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x24 | Airdate: Jun 8, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x25 | Airdate: Jun 15, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x26 | Airdate: Jun 22, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x27 | Airdate: Jun 29, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x28 | Airdate: Jul 6, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x29 | Airdate: Jul 13, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x30 | Airdate: Jul 20, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x31 | Airdate: Jul 27, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x32 | Airdate: Aug 3, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x33 | Airdate: Aug 10, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x34 | Airdate: Aug 17, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x35 | Airdate: Aug 24, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x36 | Airdate: Aug 31, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x37 | Airdate: Sep 7, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x38 | Airdate: Sep 14, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x39 | Airdate: Sep 21, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x40 | Airdate: Sep 28, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x41 | Airdate: Oct 5, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x42 | Airdate: Oct 12, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x43 | Airdate: Oct 19, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x44 | Airdate: Oct 26, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x45 | Airdate: Nov 2, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x46 | Airdate: Nov 9, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x47 | Airdate: Nov 10, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x48 | Airdate: Nov 16, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x49 | Airdate: Nov 23, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x50 | Airdate: Nov 24, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x51 | Airdate: Nov 30, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x52 | Airdate: Dec 7, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x53 | Airdate: Dec 14, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x54 | Airdate: Dec 21, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 4x55 | Airdate: Dec 28, 1998 (180 min)
Season 5
Episode: 5x01 | Airdate: Jan 4, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x02 | Airdate: Jan 11, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x03 | Airdate: Jan 18, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x04 | Airdate: Jan 25, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x05 | Airdate: Feb 1, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x06 | Airdate: Feb 8, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x07 | Airdate: Feb 15, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x08 | Airdate: Feb 22, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x09 | Airdate: Mar 1, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x10 | Airdate: Mar 8, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x11 | Airdate: Mar 15, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x12 | Airdate: Mar 22, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x13 | Airdate: Mar 29, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x14 | Airdate: Apr 5, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x15 | Airdate: Apr 12, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x16 | Airdate: Apr 19, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x17 | Airdate: Apr 26, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x18 | Airdate: May 3, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x19 | Airdate: May 17, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x20 | Airdate: May 24, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x21 | Airdate: May 31, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x22 | Airdate: Jun 7, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x23 | Airdate: Jun 14, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x24 | Airdate: Jun 21, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x25 | Airdate: Jun 28, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x26 | Airdate: Jul 5, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x27 | Airdate: Jul 12, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x28 | Airdate: Jul 19, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x29 | Airdate: Jul 26, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x30 | Airdate: Aug 2, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x31 | Airdate: Aug 9, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x32 | Airdate: Aug 16, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x33 | Airdate: Aug 23, 1998 (180 min)
Episode: 5x34 | Airdate: Aug 30, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x35 | Airdate: Sep 6, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x36 | Airdate: Sep 13, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x37 | Airdate: Sep 20, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x38 | Airdate: Sep 27, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x39 | Airdate: Oct 4, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x40 | Airdate: Oct 11, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x41 | Airdate: Oct 18, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x42 | Airdate: Oct 25, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x43 | Airdate: Nov 1, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x44 | Airdate: Nov 8, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x45 | Airdate: Nov 15, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x46 | Airdate: Nov 22, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x47 | Airdate: Nov 29, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x48 | Airdate: Dec 6, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x49 | Airdate: Dec 13, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x50 | Airdate: Dec 20, 1999 (180 min)
Episode: 5x51 | Airdate: Dec 27, 1999 (180 min)
Season 6
Episode: 6x01 | Airdate: Jan 3, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x02 | Airdate: Jan 10, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x03 | Airdate: Jan 17, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x04 | Airdate: Jan 24, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x05 | Airdate: Jan 31, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x06 | Airdate: Feb 7, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x07 | Airdate: Feb 14, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x08 | Airdate: Feb 21, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x09 | Airdate: Feb 28, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x10 | Airdate: Mar 6, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x11 | Airdate: Mar 13, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x12 | Airdate: Mar 20, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x13 | Airdate: Mar 27, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x14 | Airdate: Apr 3, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x15 | Airdate: Apr 10, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x16 | Airdate: Apr 17, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x17 | Airdate: Apr 24, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x18 | Airdate: May 1, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x19 | Airdate: May 8, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x20 | Airdate: May 15, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x21 | Airdate: May 22, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x22 | Airdate: May 29, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x23 | Airdate: Jun 5, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x24 | Airdate: Jun 12, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x25 | Airdate: Jun 19, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x26 | Airdate: Jun 26, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x27 | Airdate: Jul 3, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x28 | Airdate: Jul 10, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x29 | Airdate: Jul 18, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x30 | Airdate: Jul 24, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x31 | Airdate: Jul 31, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x32 | Airdate: Aug 7, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x33 | Airdate: Aug 14, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x34 | Airdate: Aug 21, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x35 | Airdate: Aug 28, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x36 | Airdate: Sep 4, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x37 | Airdate: Sep 11, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x38 | Airdate: Sep 18, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x39 | Airdate: Sep 25, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x40 | Airdate: Oct 2, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x41 | Airdate: Oct 9, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x42 | Airdate: Oct 16, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x43 | Airdate: Oct 23, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x44 | Airdate: Oct 30, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x45 | Airdate: Nov 6, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x46 | Airdate: Nov 13, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x47 | Airdate: Nov 20, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x48 | Airdate: Nov 27, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x49 | Airdate: Dec 4, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x50 | Airdate: Dec 12, 2000 (180 min)
Episode: 6x51 | Airdate: Dec 18, 2000 (180 min)
Season 7
Episode: 7x01 | Airdate: Jan 8, 2001 (180 min)
Episode: 7x02 | Airdate: Jan 15, 2001 (180 min)
Episode: 7x03 | Airdate: Jan 23, 2001 (180 min)
Episode: 7x04 | Airdate: Jan 29, 2001 (180 min)
Episode: 7x05 | Airdate: Feb 5, 2001 (180 min)
Episode: 7x06 | Airdate: Feb 12, 2001 (180 min)
Episode: 7x07 | Airdate: Feb 19, 2001 (180 min)
Episode: 7x08 | Airdate: Feb 26, 2001 (180 min)
Episode: 7x09 | Airdate: Mar 5, 2001 (180 min)
Episode: 7x10 | Airdate: Mar 12, 2001 (180 min)
Episode: 7x11 | Airdate: Mar 19, 2001 (180 min)
Episode: 7x12 | Airdate: Mar 26, 2001 (180 min)
Final episode of Nitro. WCW is purchased by the WWF. The matches that aired on this final 3-Hour long WCW card were as follows:
Singles match: Sting defeated Ric Flair
Tag team match for the WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team Championship: The Filthy Animals (Rey Mysterio, Jr. & Billy Kidman) defeated the current champions Elix Skipper & Kid Romeo
Loser Gets A Tattoo match: Shawn Stasiak (with Ms. Hancock) defeated Bam Bam Bigelow
Tag team match for the WCW World Tag Team Championship: WCW Tag Champions Sean O'Haire & Chuck Palumbo defeated Team Canada (Mike Awesome & Lance Storm)
Singles Match for the WCW Cruiserweight Championship: WCW Crusierweight Champion "Sugar" Shane Helms defeated Chavo Guerrero, Jr.
3-Way Dance No.1 Contenders Tag team match for the WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team Championship: The Filthy Animals (Rey Mysterio, Jr. & Billy Kidman) defeated 3 Count (Shannon Moore & Evan Karagias) and The Jung Dragons (Kaz Hayashi & Yun Yang)
Main Event - Title vs. Title match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship and the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship: Booker T (WCW United States Heavyweight Champion) defeated Scott Steiner (WCW World Heavyweight Champion) (with Midajah)
In an attempt to save WCW and Nitro, Bischoff attempted to purchase the company with a group of investors. However, although Bischoff's offer had been accepted, recently appointed Turner Broadcasting executive Jamie Kellner announced shortly after his arrival that Nitro and all WCW programming was immediately canceled on both TNT and TBS. Bischoff's group then withdrew their deal, as it was contingent on keeping WCW programming on some outlet. Instead, WCW's trademarks and certain assets (such as its video library and the contracts of 24 wrestlers), though not the company itself (which still exists as a Time Warner-owned legal entity under the name Universal Wrestling Corporation[8][9]), were bought by Vince McMahon- the owner of the WWF (now WWE), its long-time competitor.
Around the time of the cancellation, WCW was preparing to make its yearly trip to Panama City, Florida for Spring break. Since the premiere of Nitro, WCW had gone to either the Boardwalk Beach Resort or Club La Vela every March to try to gain favor with adolescent and young adult viewers who might not otherwise be tuning into the program. It was announced that the upcoming March 26, 2001 episode of Nitro from Panama City was to be the finale and the show was dubbed "The Night of Champions." The show began with McMahon appearing via satellite from Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, the site of that Monday's RAW is WAR broadcast on TNN. McMahon announced his purchase of WCW to the crowd and appeared in vignettes throughout the show, including one where he terminated WCW's Jeff Jarrett on air due to bad blood the two had in the past.
The show was unique in that all of WCW's major championships were defended that night and in almost all of the matches on the show, the faces won (traditionally WCW was seen as the promotion where heels were often the top stars as opposed to the WWF, where faces were often the top stars. Shawn Stasiak was the only heel to emerge victorious on the final episode of Nitro). In addition, various WCW wrestlers were interviewed giving their honest, out-of-character responses to the selling of WCW. The co-main event of the evening was WCW World Heavyweight Champion Scott Steiner taking on WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Booker T in a match with both belts on the line; Booker defeated Steiner for his fourth WCW World Championship while retaining the U.S. Championship.
Just as it had been on the initial Nitro, the final match of the final Nitro was between long-time WCW rivals Ric Flair and Sting, a match that was more informal than their usual encounters (Sting and Flair were seen smiling and nodding respectfully towards each other throughout the match). Sting won using his finishing move, the Scorpion Deathlock. After the match, the two competitors stood in the middle of the ring and embraced to show respect for one another.
The show ended with a simulcast on Raw on TNN with an appearance by Vince's son Shane McMahon on Nitro. Shane would interrupt his father's gloating over the WCW purchase to explain that Shane was the one who actually owned WCW (this was just part of the storyline, as the WWF as a whole was the true owner of what assets it acquired from WCW), as part of the set up of their match at WrestleMania X-Seven and of what would later become WWF's "Invasion" storyline. In addition to the tape library and other intellectual properties, WWF also purchased several contracts of WCW talent, keeping many of the younger stars. Four of WCW's championships found their way into the WWF; in addition to Booker T carrying both the WCW Championship (as it was renamed) and United States Championship with him into the WWF, McMahon also signed then-WCW Cruiserweight Champion Shane Helms and then-WCW Tag Team Champions Chuck Palumbo and Sean O'Haire to contracts. (The WWF scrapped the WCW Hardcore Championship, as it was officially retired immediately following the final Nitro despite no one holding it since Meng departed for the WWF in early 2001, and the WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team Championship for undisclosed reasons; although no official reason was given, Billy Kidman and Rey Mysterio, Jr. were the last champions and McMahon was only able to sign Kidman to a contract at the time.)