Originally developed as a savvy basic cable alternative to the WWF's more flashy (and pricy) WrestleMania event, the WCW's Clash of the Champions quickly found its own gonzo identity, pitting its marquee superstars against each other in a series of matches that steadily upped the ante. (When you kick things off with a cage match between Ric Flair and Sting, you're setting a high bar.) This multi-disc collection provides a fantastic look at the greatest hits (and kicks, and jabs, and so forth) of this long-running event.  Featuring over 30 matches, this set chronicles the state of the WCW from 1988 to 1997, ranging from the rise of homegrown titans such as Flair and Lex Luger to the later inclusion of WWF icons Hulk Hogan and the late, great Randy "Macho Man" Savage. (Those familiar with Stone Cold Steve Austin as only a chrome-domed good guy might be surprised to see his earlier incarnation as a follically blessed villain.) Improbable athleticism and hijinks of the individual matches aside--how exactly did that referee fail to spot that smuggled-in pair of nunchaku, anyway?--it's fascinating to watch the presentation evolve from relatively lo-fi affairs to full-on theatrical extravaganzas, to the point where the drama outside the ring often exceeds what's going on within the turnbuckles. By the time Sting shows up in the rafters dressed likeThe Crowwith a bird of prey on his arm, the WCW engine has hit full glorious speed. Viewers not up on their grappling history may be confounded by the unexplained squabbles and hero-to-heel transformations that run throughout this compilation (the between-match segments featuring wrestling legend Dusty Rhodes are priceless in many different ways, but comprehensive isn't exactly one of them). Even without prior knowledge, however, the adrenaline rush presented by this set is tough to resist. Party discs don't come much finer.--Andrew Wright