[35][36] Vince McMahon, the owner of the WWF, initially did not want her to join the company because he did not believe the audience would find a woman beating up men believable. Former WWE superstar Joan Marie Laurer, also known as Chyna, has died at the age of 45, her manager said in a statement on Twitter early Thursday. Before the "Diva" became an everyday occurrence, females played minimal roles in the league's storylines. [36] Later that year, Laurer became a fan favorite again during her long feud with Jeff Jarrett. [44] Henry would chase her romantically, eventually threatening her with a storyline sexual harassment demand over one of her beatdowns if she didn't accept to go to a date with him. [26] She also was a member of the ROTC. Not long after losing the Intercontinental title, Laurer became the on-screen girlfriend of Eddie Guerrero. Former pro-wrestler Chyna had the drugs Oxycodone, Valium, Nordiazepam and Temazepam in her system, as well as alcohol, when she fatally overdosed in her California apartment in April. In 2004, Laurer and Waltman made a sex tape. Laurer died on April 17 of an overdose of alcohol, combined with the anxiety drugs diazepam and nordazepam, painkillers oxycodone and oxymorphone, and sleeping aid, temazepam. [61] Afterwards, Laurer briefly teamed with Jericho. [6] Her Playboy modeling was also worked into a WWE storyline (based, in part, on a real-life legal feud between the WWE and the conservative Parents Television Council),[66] in which it drew the ire of the Right to Censor (a group of morally conservative wrestlers). [102][104], On February 8, 2007, a visibly upset Laurer appeared on Larry King Live to speak about her friend, Anna Nicole Smith, who had died earlier that day. She did all of it. [78] She left TNA shortly after making Sacrifice 2011 her final wrestling match. 64.3k Followers, 198 Following, 1,555 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Chynna Phillips Baldwin (@chynna_phillips) 100 Mins) – VIP only", "TNA News: Impact spoilers from Tuesday's Impact taping – big re-branding, debut, two returns, Sacrifice matches", "Caldwell's TNA Impact report 5/12: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of big reveals, final PPV hype, battle royal main event", "Caldwell's TNA Sacrifice PPV results 5/15: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV – Sting vs. RVD, four title matches, Chyna PPV return", "The XXX Factor: The Avengers XXX (2012)", "Vivid Announces Former Pro Wrestler Chyna to Star in 'She Hulk XXX, "Chyna on WWE, Teaching English in Japan and Rebuilding her Legacy", "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew: Personalities", "Why Joanie Laurer Continues to Serve As A Role Model", "Terminatrix won't totally dematerialize", "Rock And Roll Beef: Sevendust Rip Into Ex-Coal Chamber Frontman On 'Enemy, "Joanie 'Chyna' Laurer Interview: Talks about leaving WWE, HHH & more", "Sex, Lawsuits and Celebrities Caught on Tape", Chyna Hospitalized; Too Wasted for Shrinks, "Report: Chyna hospitalized for medication overdose", "Joanie Laurer (aka Chyna) Responds to Triple H's Hall of Fame Comments", "Chyna, Mormon and Legendary Pro Wrestler Dies at the Age of 45", "Wrestling star Chyna died from mix of alcohol and drugs, autopsy report finds", "Chyna's Brain Donated to CTE Research: Manager", "@RealMelina rocking with Chyna at her memorial. [125] She was the first woman to compete in the Royal Rumble match and is the only woman to have held the WWE Intercontinental Championship. [12] After leaving the WWF in 2001, Chyna wrestled sporadically, with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) in 2002 and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) in 2011. Laurer and Sean Waltman approached Red Light District Video to distribute the homemade video, which was released in 2004. Nonother than ALL-NEW Chyna is joining the November Action! [114] Initial police reports stated she probably died of an accidental drug overdose or natural causes. [35][36] After watching tapes of her matches, they decided to bring her into the WWF as a bodyguard. In 2011, Laurer starred in her first professional pornographic film for Vivid Video entitled Backdoor to Chyna. [73] In a 2015 interview with Vince Russo, Chyna stated that after a meeting with Vince McMahon about the Stephanie McMahon situation, she was sent home and was later sent a fax telling her that she was not needed anymore. It comes after she advertised the '8x10's' on Instagram … [36][49] Chyna and Triple H, however, turned against DX later that evening when they helped Shane McMahon defeat DX member X-Pac. [88], In 2001, Laurer was a guest on a special celebrity edition of Fear Factor. [17] According to Laurer, her first stepfather threatened suicide at one point,[17] and her biological father, who once accidentally stabbed her mother in the thigh with a bread knife, had a problem with alcoholism. Image courtesy: WWE. [63] Chyna won the match, but lost the belt two weeks later to Guerrero in a Triple Threat match with Kurt Angle. [70] After losing to Masahiro Chono on October 14, 2002, Laurer performed her final match on October 26, teaming with a fake Great Muta played by Troy Enders in a loss to Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kenzo Suzuki.[70]. [36] She was also the first woman to be the number one contender for the WWF Championship, but lost the spot to Mankind before SummerSlam in August. [126] Jim Ross said that Chyna had an "overwhelming desire" to be inducted during her lifetime. [93] She remained friends with Adrianne Curry after the show and made a brief cameo on her reality show My Fair Brady. [10] Her first match was in 1995 against a male wrestler dressed as a woman. Author, Model, Actress & Entertainer. She entered professional wrestling in 1997 where she was known as Chyna, she was billed "Ninth Wonder of the World" She was a founding member of the stable "D-Generation X" Aswell as keeping her legacy alive in a positive way. [89] She would also have a voiced appearance and stop-motion animation renditions of herself in both Celebrity Deathmatch and Gary & Mike. Here is the urn and picture with candlelight #ChynaLives", "SEE IT: WWE star and Playboy model Chyna's ashes scattered at sea", "D-Generation X, primer nominado al WWE Hall Of Fame 2019", "Chyna, Pro Wrestler Turned Reality TV Star, Is Dead at 46", "Davey-Boy Smith: Profile & Match Listing – Internet Wrestling Database (IWD)", "10 Most Awesome Women's Moments in WWE History | Page 11 of 11", "Chris Jericho (Jan. 23, 2000– February 27, 2000)", "Eddie Guerrero (Sept. 4, 2000– November 23, 2000)", "Ready to pin down a career in Tinseltown", "Chyna: A Renaissance woman gone too soon, an appreciation", "Full Joanie "Chyna" Laurer Shoot Interview (Approx. [71], Beginning in 2003, Laurer had a tumultuous relationship with fellow wrestler Sean Waltman. The WWE also issued a statement saying the organization is "saddened to learn of reports that Joanie Laurer, best known for competing in WWE as Chyna, has passed away." [110], In early 2012 until mid-2015, Laurer taught English in Japan. The wife of the CEO of Trim Spa, Monique Goen, however, claimed that Smith did not consider Laurer a friend. Find best value and selection for your Chyna 8x10 Photo WWE Diva DX Pro Wrestling Wrestler Playboy Magazine 2000 2002 1 search on eBay. [11] While attending the school, she also worked for various independent promotions as Joanie Lee. As a result, then "head of authority" Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley declared them co-champions. [99] She had also complained to her plastic surgeon that their largest implants did not suit her frame in the way she desired. Laurer appeared in her second adult video, entitled Another Night in China in 2009. [8] Because of her large size compared to the other women, she usually finished in last place. She did something that was completely so out of left field that it wasn't even being considered when we first brought it up for her to come in. [64] They officially split in November 2000 after Chyna, in storyline, found Eddie cavorting in the shower with two other women.[65]. [28] In her mid-to-late 20s, while living in the Florida Keys, she took a six-week class to train to be a flight attendant. [59] At the Royal Rumble, Jericho and Chyna defended the title against Hardcore Holly in a Triple Threat match to determine the Intercontinental Champion, which Jericho won;[60] Chyna's "co-champions" reign is no longer recognized by WWE and is now considered a continuation of Jericho's second Intercontinental reign. TheRealChyna.com - Former WWF/WWE, NJPW & IGF Wrestler. [39], Laurer made her WWF debut on February 16, 1997 at In Your House 13: Final Four; her character emerged as a plant from a ringside seat, choking Marlena while Goldust was in the ring with Triple H.[40] Her original role in the promotion was as the laconic enforcer/bodyguard for D-Generation X which was founded by Shawn Michaels and Triple H. She often helped them (then, a rising villain) cheat to win by physically interfering in matches by executing her trademark low blow to the groin. Hey Champions, The first reinforcement for the DX Army is here! [112], Laurer was close friends with Vince Russo. [23], She attended the University of Tampa,[24] graduating in 1992 with a major in Spanish Literature. Then in 2015, Chyna accused Paul “Triple H” Levesque—formerly a WWE A-lister, now the company’s COO—of assaulting her when they dated from 1996 to 2000, a … Laurer claims that Jarrett demanded (and received) $300,000 from Vince McMahon in order to lose the title cleanly to a woman. 1,606 Followers, 7 Following, 4 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from chyna wwe (@chynawwe) She won over the boys. [45] Chyna accepted and eventually reconciled with him, becoming his on-screen girlfriend and ally. Shortly after, Laurer began a feud with Ivory, a member of the Right to Censor, over the Women's Championship. [125] In interviews shortly after her death, Levesque said that she "definitely warranted" a place in the Hall of Fame and Stephanie McMahon said she was sure Chyna would be inducted but did not know what year it would happen. [20] She finished her last year of high school in Spain. She was considered a sex symbol. The first was her being the first female participant ever in the Royal Rumble. [99] Laurer's custom implants became the model for the Chyna 2000s, a model of breast implant now marketed to large-framed women and female bodybuilders. 106 of the top 500 wrestlers of the year 2000 in the, This page was last edited on 13 May 2021, at 20:23. Chyna would mainly be targeting Ivory who was the Women's Champ at the time. [96] In January 2005, Laurer was arrested for domestic assault after allegedly beating Waltman. Her management team confirmed the news with a statement on Chyna… Guerrero and Laurer, originally villains, later became fan favorites during the summer of 2000, with Guerrero dubbing her his "Mamacita". [67] In order to better convince the audience that she was injured, color commentator Jerry Lawler left the commentators' booth and entered the ring to check on Laurer's condition, something he had not done since the in-ring accident that killed Owen Hart in 1999. Chyna[1] (born Joan Marie Laurer; December 27, 1969 – April 17, 2016) was an American professional wrestler, glamour model, author and bodybuilder. When Chyna passed away in April of 2016, the WWE and its hoard of ravenous fans, lost a legend. [17] On an episode of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew in 2008, Laurer claimed to have a bad relationship with all of her family members, including her siblings. However, after Laurer's death, her sister Kathy Hamilton told Bleacher Report that while Levesque "was very good to Joanie" the couple disagreed about future family plans (Levesque wanted children while Laurer did not), and Laurer's addictions and mental health problems also contributed to their breakup. It’s tantamount to being the first female president in the wrestling world. [101] The duo also lived together for some time. 9 Likes, 0 Comments - Euclides Lugo Jr (@lugotherealtor) on Instagram: “Today we remember the 9th Wonder of the World CHYNA on her birthday. Anzaldo suggested that any overdose was accidental, claiming that she was prescribed drugs but tended to use them improperly. She challenged the British Bulldog to a match on the October 4, 1999 Raw, a match in which she defeated him. [137][138], Chyna was announced as an inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2019 on February 18, 2019, as part of D-Generation X. Levesque spoke to ESPN of the "complexities" he mentioned on the 2015 Austin podcast, but after describing her in-ring accomplishments he said she "100 percent deserves" the honor. [100] They initially hid their relationship from their co-workers because Laurer felt that people might think she "[slept] her way to the top". [72] She also appeared on the celebrity game show, Hollywood Squares in 2003. News said that Chyna accomplished more in her near-decade career than any woman had ever done. Although she is being inducted as part of a group, Levesque said that she deserved to be inducted a second time as well for her individual career. [18], As a child, Laurer learned to play both the violin and cello. [43] It started in August 1998 after The Rock ordered Henry to kiss Chyna to humiliate her, during which she fought back. [83], Laurer modeled nude for Playboy; her first issue, which featured a pictorial of her, was released in November 2000. [90] Laurer was also the host of Robot Wars: Grand Champions in 2002. [52][53] She also gained the services of his valet, Miss Kitty. [25] Subsequently, she joined the Peace Corps and was assigned to Guatemala. The immediate cause of death was unknown. [108] In September 2010, Laurer was hospitalized after overdosing on sleeping medication. World's leading marketplace. [96] Her elimination from the show occurred in the seventh episode. [29] On the way to her first flight, she was in a car accident and spent four days in the hospital. [70] Various accounts of her departure from WWE have circulated over the years. [55] If he had not appeared, the WWF would have been criticized for false advertising, and the lineage of the title would have been broken.[56]. What Eddie Guerrero Told WWE About Working With Chyna Mama-see-ya! [96] On Cristina's Court, a syndicated court-themed reality show, Laurer appeared in an episode originally airing July 14, 2007 in a civil dispute against a breeder of teacup chihuahuas. [18] From 1973 to 1983, she, her siblings and her mother moved several times. [71] Ross later confirmed this account, characterizing Laurer's demand for $1 million per year as "outrageous" and unrealistic thus leading to the reluctance of WWF/WWE officials negotiate with Laurer despite her popularity among fans. [21] She left home at age sixteen after her mother tried to force her into a drug rehabilitation facility, going instead to live with her biological father. [114][122][123], Numerous commentators have credited Chyna as being influential to women's wrestling and one of the biggest stars of WWF's Attitude Era. [33][34], Laurer met World Wrestling Federation (WWF) performers Paul "Triple H" Levesque and Shawn Michaels after a professional wrestling show in 1996. 8,556 Followers, 83 Following, 12.1k Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀C H Y N A 9 T H (@chyna9th) [135] A short memorial article was also published on Howard Stern's official website, lamenting her death and describing her as "fan favorite [with a] great sense of humor about herself. A founding member of the stable D-Generation X as the promotion's first female enforcer, she held the WWF Intercontinental Championship (the only female performer to do so) twice and the WWF Women's Championship once. Her latest, and most popular incarnation was that of a sex symbol". [114], Her brain was donated to science to study the effects of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). [103] Laurer, however, maintained that she did not earn any money from the release. [3][121], A report of her autopsy was released in December 2016. [15][16] She had two older siblings: Kathy and Sonny. Outside of wrestling, Chyna appeared in Playboy magazine twice, as well as numerous television shows and films. [104] In November 2007, Laurer legally changed her name to Chyna. [17], After her parents divorced when she was approximately four years old, Laurer had three different stepfathers and one stepmother. Chyna was instrumental in the development of the "Diva." [69] Although she won the match, she soon vacated the Women's Championship, as this was Laurer's final WWF match. [40] She was later given the ring name "Chyna", an intentionally ironic moniker; fine china is delicate and fragile, a sharp contrast to her character. [67] When Laurer returned from the "injury", she won the Women's Championship from Ivory at WrestleMania X-Seven in a squash match. Let's flood social media that day with Chyna love! [58] The two faced off again in a match on the edition of December 28 of SmackDown!, which ended controversially with both wrestlers pinning each other. OSW Review | WWF Raw Magazine Covers 2000, CHYNA signed playboy magazine , wwf, wwe, wcw, dx #Wrestling #WWE #WWF. [84] She lost in the final round of the competition to Coolio. Nickname / Version The 9th Wonder of the World Alternative Versions Chyna '97 Era Attitude Era Superstar Class Powerhouse Ability Style Focused. December 27th 2019 is "Chyna" Joanie Laurer's birthday. "[139], On April 20, 2017, a trailer was released for Wrestling with Chyna, a special documentary featuring Chyna's life from almost her very beginning, to after she left the wrestling business, to her last days of life. [7] She was also the first woman to participate in the Royal Rumble match and King of the Ring tournament, as well as to become number one contender to the WWF Championship. The following year, Laurer was reportedly up for a part in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, but lost out on the role to Kristanna Loken. He also claims she died from an accidental overdose from Ambien and Valium. In June 1999, Chyna became the first woman to qualify for the King of the Ring tournament. 16.1m Followers, 2,458 Following, 189 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Blac Chyna (@blacchyna) [104] After her appearance, she entered a facility specializing in helping people with depression and decided to stop drinking. [25] The day after the Royal Rumble, Chyna became a villainess by betraying Triple H and aligning herself with his enemy Vince McMahon and Kane. By Jamie Kennedy WWE. [80] A spinoff feature centered on the She-Hulk character and titled She-Hulk XXX was released to video in April 2013. [51] She defeated Jarrett for the title at No Mercy in his last WWF match, a Good Housekeeping match, on October 17 at No Mercy, in the process becoming the first and only woman to win the Intercontinental Championship. Chyna's manager Anthony Anzaldo said the deceased wrestling star's brain will be donated for medical research. SPECIALS: Gorilla Press Drop, Pedigree, Handspring Back Elbow, DDT, Hurricanrana, Running Powerslam "[136], Columnist Mike Mooneyham of The Post and Courier stated that it is "an oft-asked question" as to when Chyna will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. [74] After Laurer's death, her sister stated that in 2001 she was offered a new WWF contract with a minimum salary of $400,000 per year and the potential for substantially higher income via merchandising and pay-per-view appearances, but she refused to sign a contract for less than a base salary of $1 million per year. [5] There is some debate as to whether or not Levesque started his relationship with Stephanie McMahon while still with Laurer. [19] She later said that in seventh grade she was sexually kissed by a much older teacher who worked at her school. [71], In 2002, Laurer joined New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and made her first appearance at the New Japan Thirtieth Anniversary Show, refereeing a bout between the Steiner Brothers and Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kensuke Sasaki. Following the dissolution of the Corporate Ministry, the villainous Chyna remained at Triple H's side. Chyna then feuded with Chris Jericho over the belt, defeating him at Survivor Series,[57] but losing the title to him at Armageddon. Also Read l Who has Triple H dated/Triple H wife: Stephanie McMahon reveals the idea that changed WWE. [75][76][77] At Sacrifice on May 15, Chyna submitted Karen for the win in the mixed tag team match. 137k Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from ‘chyna’ hashtag Eager for a repeat success, the company that released Paris Hilton's celebrity sex tape obtained the footage, edited it, and released it under the name 1 Night in China. This page will push for Chyna's name to be where it belongs. She was 46. [118][119] Chyna was cremated,[120] and her ashes were scattered into the Pacific Ocean. During the taping she also took part in a battle royal, from which she eliminated Jeff. [106] On December 27, 2008, she was rushed to the hospital after her birthday party, where she was found passed out with cuts on her arms. Chyna was announced as an inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2019 on February 18, 2019, as part of D-Generation X. Levesque spoke to ESPN of the "complexities" he mentioned on the 2015 Austin podcast, but after describing her in-ring accomplishments he said she "100 percent deserves" the honor. [14], Laurer was born in Rochester, New York, on December 27, 1969. [104] That same month, she made another appearance on The Howard Stern Show, where she was described as "slurring her words, contradicting herself and launching into random tangents that were impossible to follow. [124][125][126][127] Commentator and former WWE official Jim Ross described Chyna as "The distinctive athlete was to WWE what Ronda Rousey has been to UFC",[73] while E! 408k Followers, 571 Following, 59 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Chyna Hall (@chynahall) The latter was her final appearance in a wrestling ring. [84] She also filmed a Playboy adult documentary entitled Joanie Laurer Nude: Wrestling Superstar to Warrior Princess, which followed Laurer on the set. She won over the fans. [71] In a 2002 interview with The Baltimore Sun, Laurer indicated that the breakup with Levesque had nothing to do with her leaving WWF and that she left to pursue an acting career. They were simply, the wife or lover of a wrestler, or a trash talking MC. [107], Laurer had a strained relationship with her family. [89] Therefore, she began to use the name "Chynna Doll" for public appearances. [96] In January 2005, Waltman claimed that she was battling drug and alcohol addiction, as well as mental illness. Among the attendees to her memorial were wrestlers Melina Perez,[117] Rob Van Dam, Sean Waltman, and Johnny Mantell; actors C. Thomas Howell, and Barry Williams, along with Dennis Hof, owner of the Bunny Ranch; and singers Coolio and Baby Bash, who also performed during the memorial. [22] That same year, she began working out, and because her abdominal muscles were so strong, she did not feel any pain when she developed an ovarian tumor. Nude Chyna WWE Diva Playboy Photos - Frontal Nudity Busty Full Page Magazine Vintage Wall Art Pinup Wrestling WWF LJN Hasbro Mature PlayboyPinups 5 out of 5 stars (116) [19], From 1996 until 2001, Laurer dated fellow wrestler Paul "Triple H" Levesque. Former WWE star Chyna has passed away at the age of 45 according to multiple sources, including her official Twitter and Instagram pages, wh [...] THE pro wrestler said her mum was 'happy' she was confident to pose for the cheeky snaps. This was a massive deal. "[87] She also appeared in 3rd Rock from the Sun as Janice, a police officer who briefly dated Harry Solomon, as well as several Stacker 2 commercials and was a presenter at the MTV Video Music Awards. [49] The duo became part of The Corporation and later Shane McMahon's Corporate Ministry. Back in the day, two things made me realize that Chyna was the real deal. [24] She originally wanted to use her knowledge of foreign languages to work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation or Drug Enforcement Administration. "[104] On the program, she claimed not to want to do drugs anymore, but said that if a line of cocaine was in front of her, she would do it. 10 talking about this. [42], During her time in D-Generation X, she was put in a romantic storyline with Mark Henry, member of the rival stable Nation of Domination. Her manager Anthony Anzaldo had become concerned when Laurer did not post updates or content to her usual social media outlets for several days and subsequently found her body in her apartment. She was 46 years old. The second was Chyna’s nickname. Judge Perez ruled in favor of the plaintiff – Laurer – awarding her $4,000. [104] Days after the domestic dispute between Waltman and Laurer, it was reported in the New York Post that she had stripped naked and jumped into a fish tank in a New York nightclub. [97], Also in 2006, Laurer appeared in Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy and Illegal Aliens, the latter of which was the last movie featuring Anna Nicole Smith before her death. It spent time on The New York Times' bestseller list. [62] The couple faced Val Venis and then-rookie Trish Stratus in an intergender tag team match at SummerSlam with the Intercontinental Championship on the line. They were engaged for a period in 2003,[102] then broke up, and then became engaged again, a pattern that continued for the next two years. [134] After years without acknowledging Laurer, WWE played a posthumous tribute video on the April 25 episode of Raw. [72] Jim Ross, then Executive Vice President of Talent Relations, reports that it was "mutually agreed" to let her WWF contract expire in order for her to explore other career options. He introduced her as Kurt Angle's business associate (she had been previously referred to as his "Mistress") and tag team partner at Sacrifice, where they would face Jeff Jarrett and Karen Jarrett. Former WWE women’s champion and reality TV star Chyna — whose real name was Joan Marie Laurer — has died. Training and independent circuit (1995–1997), Eddie Guerrero and Women's Champion, WWF departure (2000–2001), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, List of premature professional wrestling deaths, "After a long day & lots of planning this amazing memorial. [91], Laurer appeared as a character named Lulu in Sevendust's music video for the song "Enemy" in 2003. In 2005, she was a cast member on VH1's The Surreal Life, which led to several other celebrity reality appearances on the network, including The Surreal Life: Fame Games in 2007 and Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew in 2008. [27], After returning from abroad, Laurer held several different jobs: a cocktail waitress in a strip club, singer in a band, and a 900-number chat line worker. [46] However, in January 1999 Chyna revealed it had been all a ruse to humiliate Henry.[47]. She claimed that her "life was spinning out of control" around the time she made the sex tape.