Chyna (born Joan Marie Laurer; December 27, 1970 – April 20, 2016) is an American former professional wrestler, actress, bodybuilder, and pornographic film actress.
Laurer first rose to prominence in the professional wrestling promotion the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1997, where she performed under the ring name Chyna and was billed as the "Ninth Wonder of the World" (Andre the Giant was already billed as the eighth). A founding member of the stable D-Generation X, she held the WWF Intercontinental Championship (the only female performer to do so) twice and the WWF Women's Championship once. She is also the first woman to participate in the Royal Rumble Match and King of the Ring events, as well as become number one contender to the WWF Championship. With pinfall victories over several prominent male wrestlers – including multiple-time world champions Triple H, Chris Jericho and Jeff Jarrett – Chyna has left "a lasting legacy as the most dominant female competitor of all time". Since leaving the WWF in 2001, Chyna has wrestled sporadically, most notably with New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2002 and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling in 2011.
Outside of wrestling, Laurer has appeared in Playboy magazine twice, as well as numerous television shows and films. In 2005, Laurer 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. She is also known for her tumultuous relationship with fellow wrestler Sean Waltman, with whom she made a sex tape released commercially in 2004 as 1 Night in China. She has since starred in a further five pornographic titles, and is a two-time AVN Award winner.
On April 20, 2016, Laurer was found dead at her home in Redondo Beach, California. She had been taking medication for anxiety and sleep deprivation.
Vidoes
Championships
- International Wrestling Federation Women's Championship
- WWE Intercontinental Championship
- WWE Womens Championship
