WWE: The 20 Most Important Figures in Wrestling for 2011

Who's going to be at the top in 2011?

What's going to happen over the next 51 Smackdowns, 50 Raws, and 13 pay-per-views?

In this slideshow we're going to take a look at who will be the 20 Most Important Figures in the Professional Wrestling industry in 2011.

As always leave a comment below with your thoughts and who you think will be the most important people in pro wrestling this year.

Hulk Hogan

This article isn't the best wrestlers, it's who will have the most impact on the pro wrestling industry this year.

Hulk Hogan is behind the wheel at TNA Wrestling, and a good portion of the future of the pro wrestling world is in his hands. 

Where he takes TNA in 2011 will have, simply a ton of influence on the future of pro wrestling as TNA is literally the only promotion that can compete with WWE in the near future.

Hulk Hogan will no doubt be an important figure in pro wrestling through this year.

Eric Bischoff

Right after Hogan is his partner in crime, Eric Bischoff.

Along with Hogan, Bischoff will make key decisions for TNA Wrestling, undoubtedly affecting the entire pro wrestling scene in 2011.

Matt Hardy

He's been a bit eccentric lately, and while he may have settled down with TNA, he always seems to be in the news.

While he may not be the very most influential person, he will be an important figure throughout 2011.

Jeff Hardy

Right alongside his brother Matt, Jeff Hardy also is a bit of a loose cannon and will undoubtedly be in the news throughout 2011.

While he may not be in the news for good reasons all the time, if you're in the news at all, you are going to be an important figure in your given industry.

John Cena

John Cena is an important figure in wrestling every single year, and 2011 will be no different.

John Cena is the Hulk Hogan of the PG-Era and is the most influential pro wrestler in the world today.

Throughout 2011, Cena will be not only one of, but possibly the most important figure in pro wrestling.

Ric Flair

Ric Flair is one of the best wrestlers of all time. 

Even though many fans think he should hang up the boots for good, as long as he is under contract with any wrestling promotion. he will be an import figure in the business.

The Miz

The Miz is one of the fastest growing WWE superstars and will most likely be the WWE Champion going into WrestleMania 27.

By the end of 2011, there is a good chance he will be one of the biggest names in pro wrestling, given his mic and in-ring skills.

Daniel Bryan

While he may not be very influential, the fact that he is one of the best technical wrestlers in the world makes him a very important figure in the pro wrestling industry.

He had a rough 2010, being fired by WWE, than being hired again, but his 2011 should go much more smoothly.

Shawn Michaels

We're less than two weeks into 2011 and Shawn Michaels has already had 50 percent of the news coverage due to his WWE Hall of Fame Induction.

At least until April, when he is inducted into the Hall of Fame, Michaels will be an important entity in pro wrestling, and chances are he will continue to be after that.

Michael Cole

He's not just an announcer, he is one of the most over heels in all of wrestling.

He may not be a conventional pick for an "important figures" list, but being how extremely well he is playing his "annoying heel announcer" character and how well he is at being a heel, he definitely is not unimportant.

Alberto Del Rio

WWE has really gotten behind Alberto Del Rio, and at the rate they are pushing him, he will be the fastest growing wrestler in 2011.

They clearly have faith in him, putting him in a World Heavyweight Championship match, and giving him a segment with Shawn Michaels.

Alberto Del Rio will definitely be an important player in 2011.

Wade Barrett

In 2010, Wade Barrett was the leader of the largest and most successful stable in pro wrestling since nWo.

Now The Nexus has broken up into two factions, one led by CM Punk and the other being run by Barrett.

On top of that, he is rising as a main eventer very quickly in WWE

CM Punk

CM Punk is the leader of the second faction of The Nexus and, in his own right, an established player in the WWE main event scene.

His wrestling ability and mic skills make him one of the best superstars on the WWE roster, and an important figure in pro wrestling.

Mr. Anderson

He may not be the biggest name in pro wrestling, but he's been on the rise and isn't showing signs of slowing down.

This year should be Anderson's biggest year to date, and he will be a key factor in TNA throughout 2011 and how far the company gets in terms of growing to a point where they can compete with WWE.

The Undertaker

Even though he is currently sidelined with an injury, there is no doubt that The Undertaker will be an extremely important figure throughout 2011. 

He is one of the biggest names in pro wrestling history, and every year he is an important figure in pro wrestling. 

This year won't be any different, if anything he will be an even bigger influence because the fans know his 20+ year career is coming to an end.

Chris Jericho

Chris Jericho is not currently on the WWE roster, but he has stated publicly that he intends to return to the ring.

That means he will have a big return this year, which will certainly make him an important figure throughout 2011.

John Morrison

If there is one WWE superstar who will be on the rise throughout 2011, it's John Morrison.

WWE is beginning to push Morrison as a main eventer, and he should prove to be a major player in 2011.

After all, we're less than two weeks into the year and he already has had a WWE Championship match.

Vince McMahon

We'll get to some in-ring wrestlers soon, but if the leaders of TNA are on this list, the chairman of WWE, the world's largest wrestling promotion, will also be here.

Vince McMahon controls everything in WWE, and therefore he controls nearly 100% of the pro wrestling world.

It goes without saying that Vince will be an extremely important figure in 2011.

Stephanie McMahon

Although Vince McMahon is still running the ship, Triple H and his wife Stephanie McMahon are gaining more control of WWE.

Although she may not be on WWE TV very much anymore, she has a huge role backstage and throughout 2011 will only become more influential (not that she hasn't been influential to date).

Triple H

Triple H has two things going for him, he is a main event wrestler and is a major player backstage at WWE.

The combination of those two things make him easily one of the most important people in the pro wrestling world.