10 Things You Never Knew About Chyna, Who Died This Week at 46

Tanya Edwards
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There was more to Chyna than beauty and brawn. (Photo: Picture Perfect/REX/Shutterstock)

Joanie Laurer, know to wrestling fans worldwide as “Chyna, the 9th Wonder of the World,” has died in her home in Redondo Beach, Calif. Police say they were notified by a friend who went to check on her and found Laurer unresponsive. The cause of death is under investigation, but police say there are no signs of foul play.

The news emerged after this message was posted to her Facebook page last night:

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The nearly 6-foot tall Chyna cast an imposing figure as she performed with the WWE from 1997 to 2001. Her post-wrestling life was complex and tinged by scandal, including the release of a sex tape with an ex-boyfriend, a spread in Playboy, and subsequent adult films.

Here are a few things you might not know about Chyna:

1. She wrote a book in 2001, If They Only Knew, in which she described herself as ‘Part feminist, part superhero.’

2. She graduated in August of 1991 from the University of Tampa with a major in Spanish, and with a 3.9 GPA.

3. She loved to sing, and debuted a song she wrote, called “Holiday,” on the Howard Stern Show.

4. While her cause of death is yet to be determined, the ferocious nature of the performances, plus grueling touring schedule and unhealthy lifestyle, has taken a toll on many wrestlers: Eddie Guerrero died at 38 of an enlarged heart, Owen Hart died at 34 after falling during a stunt, and Chris Canyon died at 40 after an overdose.

5. She appeared in the first season of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew in 2008 for alcohol addiction. Sadly, she later relapsed and entered rehab. In September 2010, Laurer was hospitalized after overdosing on sleeping medication.

6. She was involved with fellow wrestler Triple-H (Paul Levesque), both as a performer and in her personal life, for several years. On Twitter, Levesque wrote about his former flame, “Someone who wasn’t afraid to blaze her own trail & create a path for those who would follow. A pioneer whose star shined bright. #RIPChyna”

7. She served in the Peace Corps, traveling to Guatemala and working with children.

8. While in college, Chyna served in the US Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps).

9. Shockingly, Chyna, the only undefeated women’s title holder, is not in the wrestling hall of fame. Some have speculated this is due to her having appeared in Playboy and adult films.

10. She has inspired many women who followed in her footsteps. As WWE diva Trish Stratus tweeted, “Shattered glass ceilings, kicked down doors, broke gender barriers, she was an anomaly & untouchable. Rest now-ur legacy lives on #RIPChyna.”