Who Is Chyna? Age, Biography and Wiki
Joan Marie Laurer, widely known by her ring name Chyna, was born on December 27, 1969. She made history as one of the most influential female wrestlers in the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE). Chyna's unmatched athleticism and charisma helped elevate women’s wrestling in a male-dominated industry. Tragically, Chyna passed away on April 20, 2016, but her impact on professional wrestling continues to resonate. Her journey from being a bodybuilder to a wrestling icon showcases her determination and groundbreaking spirit.
Occupation | Autobiographer |
---|---|
Date of Birth | December 27, 1969 |
Age | 46 Years |
Birth Place | Rochester, New York, U.S. |
Horoscope | Capricorn |
Country | U.S |
Date of death | 17 April, 2016 |
Died Place | Redondo Beach, California, U.S. |
Popularity
Chyna's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Chyna was known for her impressive physique, which was a result of years of dedicated training. Her body stats were:
- Height: 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm)
- Weight: 165 lbs (75 kg) during her wrestling career
- Measurements: 40-28-38 inches (101-71-96 cm)
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Chyna had a complex personal life, marked by her relationships with fellow wrestlers and celebrities. Notably, her relationships with wrestlers Sean Waltman (X-Pac) and Paul Levesque (Triple H) drew public attention. Despite her romantic involvements, she often expressed a strong sense of independence and empowerment. Throughout her life, Chyna fiercely advocated for women's rights and body positivity, creating a legacy that went beyond wrestling.
Outside of wrestling, Chyna appeared in Playboy magazine twice, plus numerous television shows and films. She was considered a sex symbol. 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. Chyna was 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, which won a 2006 AVN Award for Best-Selling Title. She starred in a further five pornographic titles, including AVN's 2012 Best Celebrity Sex Tape, Backdoor to Chyna.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of her passing, Chyna’s estimated net worth was around $400,000. Despite facing financial struggles in her later years, her prior earnings from wrestling contracts, appearances, and ventures in adult entertainment contributed to her net worth. However, her influence on the industry was priceless, and her contributions continue to inspire future generations.
A week after her storyline with Henry, Chyna was the 30th entrant in the Royal Rumble, becoming the first woman ever to enter the eponymous match. In the match she eliminated Mark Henry before being eliminated by Stone Cold Steve Austin.
One day later, she turned heel by betraying Triple H and aligning herself with his enemies Vince McMahon and Kane. She teamed with Kane at the St. Valentine's Day Massacre pay-per-view against former allies X-Pac and Triple H. At WrestleMania XV, she turned on Kane in his match by attacking him with a chair, appearing to rejoin DX.
Chyna and Triple H, however, turned against DX later that evening when they helped Shane McMahon defeat DX member X-Pac. The duo became part of The Corporation and later Shane McMahon's Corporate Ministry. Following the dissolution of the Corporate Ministry, the villainous Chyna remained at Triple H's side. They split up later that year.
Career, Business, and Investments
Chyna’s career began in bodybuilding before transitioning to professional wrestling. She made her WWF debut in 1997 and quickly became a fan favorite, known for her strength and in-ring abilities. Beyond wrestling, she ventured into reality TV, appearing in shows like “Surreal Life” and participating in various business opportunities, including a line of merchandise that reflected her persona.
Chyna also ventured into adult entertainment, which sparked both controversy and conversation about her career choices. Despite the challenges, she worked on her personal brand, producing content that combined her wrestling persona with her interests.
Chyna first rose to prominence in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in 1997, where she was billed as "The Ninth Wonder of the World" (André the Giant was already billed as the eighth).
A founding member of the stable D-Generation X as the promotion's first female enforcer, she held the WWF Intercontinental Championship twice and the WWF Women's Championship once.
She was also the first woman to participate in the Royal Rumble match and King of the Ring tournament, in addition to becoming number one contender to the WWF Championship. She is considered one of the biggest stars of the Attitude Era.
With singles victories over several prominent male wrestlers – including multiple-time world champions Triple H, Kurt Angle, Chris Jericho and Jeff Jarrett – she left what WWE called "a lasting legacy as the most dominant female competitor of all time".
After leaving the WWF in 2001, she wrestled sporadically, with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) in 2002 and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) in 2011. The latter was her final appearance in the ring.
Social Network
Chyna was active on various social media platforms, using them to connect with fans and to share her journey. Following her passing, her legacy continues to be honored on platforms like Instagram and Twitter, where fans and fellow wrestlers remember her contributions and celebrate her life. Various fan pages and tribute accounts keep her memory alive, reflecting the love and respect she gained during her life.
After the end of her WWF career in 2001, Chyna made her way to Japan in 2002 where she had a relatively brief but productive stint with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). Her first appearance was at the New Japan Thirtieth Anniversary Show, refereeing a bout between the Steiner Brothers and Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kensuke Sasaki.
On August 8, 2002, Chyna defeated woman boxer Chika Nakamura for Universal Fighting Arts Organization, beating Nakamura in the first round by TKO. In September and October 2002, she wrestled several matches for the promotion.
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. Despite working with the biggest names like Masahiro Chono and Hiroshi Tanahashi, Chyna could not break out as a relevant player for NJPW.
Education
Before her rise in the wrestling world, Chyna earned a degree in Spanish and Humanities from the University of Tampa. Her education provided her with a well-rounded perspective on life, helping her navigate the challenges she faced both personally and professionally. Her commitment to education reflects her belief in self-improvement and empowerment.
Laurer attended the University of Tampa, graduating in 1992 with a major in Spanish literature. She studied French and German there (she could converse in either language) and said that during this time she was raped by two men after getting drunk at a party. She was a member of the ROTC.
She originally wanted to use her knowledge of foreign languages to work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation or Drug Enforcement Administration. She subsequently joined the Peace Corps and was assigned to Guatemala.