It was the decade that gave us the “Lord of the Rings” and “The Passion of the Christ,” “Shrek” and “Finding Nemo.” “American Idol,” “Lost,” “Mad Men” and “Breaking Bad” all reached our living rooms, while Kanye West’s “Gold Digger,” Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” and Alicia Keys’ “No One” hit the airwaves. Tom Landry, Dale Earnhardt, Johnny Cash and Michael Jackson died. Terrorists perpetrated the 9/11 attacks, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast and Barack Obama became the first African-American elected President of the United States.
Meanwhile, mixed martial arts hit its stride and exploded in popularity, as “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series breathed new life into a dying sport.