WWE's Five Biggest Stories of 2011: What Was the Biggest Story of the Year?

Big Nasty will be counting down the five biggest stories of 2011 as we prepare to ring in yet another new year in the world of professional wrestling. Five stories transcended the pro wrestling industry in 2011 for better or for worse, and as a result, this comprehensive discussion is being constructed in their honor.

No. 1: "Macho Man" Randy Savage Dies of Heart Disease 

"Macho Man" Randy Savage was one of the key stars during wrestling's first golden age of the 80's who transcended the genre from bastardized cult TV product to mainstream pop culture phenomenon. 

From his trademark flamboyance to his perfectionist in-ring style, Savage was one of the all-time greats of pro wrestling and remains arguably the greatest WWE Superstar not included in the WWE Hall of Fame. 

So it was only fitting that his untimely death would serve as the most transcendent pro wrestling-related story of 2011, garnering mainstream media coverage from major media outlets and publications such as ESPN, TIME Magazine, TMZ and the LA Times.

Savage died when his vehicle crashed into a tree after he suffered a major heart attack while driving with his wife. 

Savage had resorted into a relatively peaceful and seclusive existence once his wrestling career wrapped, with his ambiguously rocky relationship with Vince McMahon preventing any sort of Macho Man return after WCW went out of business in 2001. 

While Savage did suffer from heart disease due to having an enlarged "wrestler's" heart, he was one of a handful of pro wrestlers who was able to transition into some semblance of normalcy post-wrestling with no demons or insatiable thirst for the spotlight plaguing him. 

As tragic as Savage's death was, the Macho Man's life was anything but a tragedy.  His Hall-of-Fame career featured six world championship reigns as Savage achieved the rarefied air of being a household name as a pro wrestler. 

Savage's iconic ad campaign with Slim Jim made him a pop culture gem, as he fiercely demanded that customers "Snap into a Slim Jim," a phrase that is still used to promote the product to this day. 

Savage's most memorable match came at WrestleMania III against Ricky Steamboat in a match that helped put both the Intercontinental Championship on the map, as well as the now-legendary WrestleMania franchise itself. 

Savage's mainstream appeal was used to help make 2002's Spider-Man film a success as Savage played the intense Bonesaw McGraw, an imposing wrestler who shared an entertaining scene with Toby McGwire (Spidey) in a wrestling match. 

Randy Savage not only changed the sport of professional wrestling for the better, but in turn he also managed to change the way pro wrestling was viewed as a sports entertainment product. 

Wrestler deaths have become far too common in the often-beleaguered pro wrestling industry.  In 2011, wrestling lost one of its biggest names in a tragic event that was more than a simply wrestler death—it was the loss of an icon.

Top Five of 2011

5. Matt Hardy's Career Descent

4. Rise of Ryder

3. CM Punk "Leaves" with the WWE Championship

2. The Rock Returns to the WWE

1. Randy Savage Dies

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