Chyna, born Joan Marie Laurer, was a trailblazing figure in the world of professional wrestling, best known for breaking barriers as the first woman to compete in traditionally male-dominated matches like the Royal Rumble and King of the Ring. Known as the "Ninth Wonder of the World," she rose to fame in WWE during the 1990s, standing out for her immense strength, imposing stature, and unprecedented accomplishments in the sport. Her legacy goes beyond wrestling, influencing future generations of female athletes and expanding her career into reality television and fitness modeling​.

Early Life

Chyna, born Joan Marie Laurer on December 27, 1969, in Rochester, New York, faced many challenges in her early life. Her parents, Joseph and Janet Laurer, divorced when she was four years old. Her childhood was marked by difficulties, including a troubled family environment where her father struggled with alcoholism. She had two older siblings and lived with multiple step-parents throughout her youth.

Despite these hardships, Chyna excelled academically and musically, learning to play the violin and cello. She attended Penfield High School, though she struggled with an eating disorder during her teenage years. After leaving home at 16, she spent some time in Spain, completing her high school education there.

Chyna went on to attend the University of Tampa in Florida, where she earned a degree in Spanish Literature in 1992. She also studied French and German, and was a member of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), aspiring to work for organizations like the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) or the FBI. However, after graduating, she chose to join the Peace Corps and was stationed in Guatemala, where she taught English.

Career

Chyna, born Joan Marie Laurer in 1969, was a groundbreaking professional wrestler who made a significant impact in the WWE (formerly WWF). She debuted in 1997 as the enforcer for the faction D-Generation X, alongside Triple H and Shawn Michaels. Her unique role as a powerful woman capable of competing against menearned her the nickname "The Ninth Wonder of the World."

Chyna was the first woman to participate in the Royal Rumble match, the first woman to qualify for the King of the Ring tournament, and she remains the only woman to ever win the Intercontinental Championship—doing so twice. In addition to her in-ring success, she became a pop culture figure, appearing on the cover of Playboy magazine and authoring a bestselling autobiography.

Her WWE career ended in 2001, reportedly due to personal and contractual issues, including conflicts with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. After WWE, Chyna worked briefly in Japan’s New Japan Pro-Wrestling and had various appearances in reality TV and adult films. Despite her struggles with substance abuse and legal issues, Chyna left a lasting legacy in wrestling, particularly for breaking gender barriers in a male-dominated sport. She was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2019 as part of D-Generation X. Chyna passed away in 2016 at the age of 45​.

Relationship

One of her most well-known relationships was with fellow WWE wrestler Paul "Triple H" Levesque. The two dated from 1996 to 2000, but their relationship ended amid rumors of infidelity involving Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, another prominent figure in WWE.

After her relationship with Triple H ended, Chyna entered into another tumultuous relationship with wrestler Sean "X-Pac" Waltman. The couple dated on and off from 2003 to 2005. They even became engaged at one point, but their relationship was marked by struggles with substance abuse and domestic issues, including an incident in 2005 where Chyna was arrested for domestic violence against Waltman.

Net Worth

As of 2016, Chyna, had a net worth of approximately $500,000 at the time of her passing. She was a pivotal figure in women's wrestling, known for being the first woman to enter the Royal Rumble and for winning the Intercontinental Championship twice. Beyond wrestling, Chyna pursued a career in acting, bodybuilding, and even in films. Despite her fame, she faced personal struggles, including substance abuse, which affected her finances​.