:Chyna

{{Professional wrestling sidebar}}Joan Marie Laurer was born in Rochester, New York, on December 27, 1969. Her parents divorced when she was around four years old. She had three stepfathers and one stepmother. She said her first stepfather threatened suicide at one point,Laurer, Joanie. If They Only Knew, pp. 31–32, 79. while her biological father had a problem with alcoholism and once accidentally stabbed her mother in the thigh with a butcher knife.Laurer, Joanie. If They Only Knew, pp. 34–36. From 1973 to 1983, she, her siblings and her mother moved several times.

As a child, Laurer learned to play violin and cello.{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_20010429/ai_n14526973 |title=The parent's guide to WWF |publisher=Sunday Mirror |access-date=July 4, 2007 |date=April 29, 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071031064222/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_20010429/ai_n14526973 |archive-date=October 31, 2007 |url-status=dead }} She later said that in seventh grade she was sexually kissed by a much older teacher who worked at her school.Laurer, Joanie. If They Only Knew, 98–99. At 13, while attending Penfield High School, she began purging after she ate.Laurer, Joanie. If They Only Knew, 63. She left home at 16 when her mother tried to force her into a drug rehabilitation facility and lived with her biological father.Laurer, Joanie. If They Only Knew, 74–75, 77. That 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. She finished her last year of high school in Spain.Laurer, Joanie. If They Only Knew, 115.

Laurer attended the University of Tampa,Laurer, Joanie. If They Only Knew, 122, 127. 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.Laurer, Joanie. If They Only Knew, 129. 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.Laurer, Joanie. If They Only Knew, 130.

After returning from abroad, she held several jobs: a cocktail waitress in a strip club, singer in a band, and a 900-number chat line worker.Laurer, Joanie. If They Only Knew, 18–19. In her mid-to-late 20s, while living in the Florida Keys, she took a six-week class to train as a flight attendant.Laurer, Joanie. If They Only Knew, 15–16. On the way to her first flight, she was in a car crash and spent four days in the hospital.Laurer, Joanie. If They Only Knew, 22–23. When she recovered, her sister Kathy helped her get a job selling pagers; they both also worked as belly dancers.Laurer, Joanie. If They Only Knew, 138–139.

After college, Laurer began to regularly enter fitness competitions. In 1996, she competed in the New York City regional level of the Fitness America competition.Laurer, Joanie. If They Only Knew, 225–228. Because of her large size compared to the other women, she usually finished in last place.

Laurer trained at Wladek "Killer" Kowalski's professional wrestling school in Malden, Massachusetts.Laurer, Joanie. If They Only Knew, 145–148. Her first match was in 1995 against a male wrestler dressed as a woman.Laurer, Joanie. If They Only Knew, 184. While attending the school, she also worked for various independent promotions as Joanie Lee.Laurer, Joanie. If They Only Knew, 178.Laurer, Joanie. If They Only Knew, 203. Some of her earliest matches were set up by The Fabulous Moolah.{{cite book|author=Ellison, Lillian|title=The Fabulous Moolah: First Goddess of the Squared Circle|year=2003|isbn=978-0-06-001258-8|publisher=ReaganBooks|page=203}}

Laurer met World Wrestling Federation (WWF) performers Paul "Triple H" Levesque (then known as Hunter Hearst Helmsley) and Shawn Michaels after a professional wrestling show in 1996.Laurer, Joanie. If They Only Knew, 207–213.{{cite AV media|title=It's Our Time|people=Triple H and Chyna|date=1999|medium=VHS|publisher=World Wrestling Federation}} After watching tapes of her matches, they decided to bring her into the WWF as a bodyguard. Vince McMahon, 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.Laurer, Joanie. If They Only Knew, 215. While waiting for the WWF's decision, Laurer was approached by World Championship Wrestling (WCW), who wanted her to be the sole female member of the New World Order.Laurer, Joanie. If They Only Knew, 338–341. She initially accepted the offer, but later turned it down when Shane McMahon, Vince McMahon's son, informed her that she was about to be hired by the WWF. However, Kowalski said that he got Laurer hired by the WWF after introducing her to Shane McMahon and telling him of WCW's interest in her.{{cite web|url=http://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2001/02/06/killer-kowalski-slams-chynas-book/|title=Killer Kowalski slams Chyna's book|author=Powell, John|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|access-date=August 7, 2008|date=February 6, 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722154616/http://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2001/02/06/killer-kowalski-slams-chynas-book/|archive-date=July 22, 2020|url-status=live}}

{{Main|D-Generation X}}

File:Chyna and Triple H in 1997 (cropped).jpg in 1997]]

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.Laurer, Joanie. If They Only Knew, 259, 269. The next night, she appeared on Raw and bearhugged Marlena. 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. She was later given the ring name "Chyna", an intentionally ironic moniker; fine china is delicate and fragile, a sharp contrast to her character.Laurer, Joanie. If They Only Knew, 289. Offstage, however, the male wrestlers were hesitant at first to let a woman be seen overpowering them.Laurer, Joanie. If They Only Knew, 274.

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.{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/henry_mark.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120524091615/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/henry_mark.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=May 24, 2012|title=Mark Henry|last=Milner|first=John M.|author2=Oliver, Greg|access-date=March 20, 2009|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer|work=Slam! Sports}} It started in August 1998 after The Rock ordered Henry to kiss Chyna to humiliate her, during which she fought back.{{cite web|url=http://slashwrestling.com/raw/980824.html|title=Raw, 24 August 1998|access-date=June 23, 2020|publisher=Slash Wrestling}} Henry would chase her romantically, eventually threatening her with a storyline sexual harassment demand over one of her beatdowns if she didn't go to a date with him.{{cite web|url=http://slashwrestling.com/raw/981012.html|title=Raw, 12 October 1998|access-date=June 23, 2020|publisher=Slash Wrestling}} Chyna accepted and eventually reconciled with him, becoming his on-screen girlfriend and ally.{{cite web|url=http://slashwrestling.com/raw/981228.html|title=Raw, 28 December 1998|access-date=June 23, 2020|publisher=Slash Wrestling}} However, in January 1999, she revealed it was all a ruse to humiliate Henry.{{cite web|url=http://slashwrestling.com/raw/990118.html|title=Raw, 18 January 1998|access-date=June 23, 2020|publisher=Slash Wrestling}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_4_2/ai_67872115 |title=Chyna's Dynasty |publisher=Wrestler's Digest |author=Chamberlin, Thomas |date=December 2000 |access-date=July 4, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071206211710/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_4_2/ai_67872115 |archive-date=December 6, 2007 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |last=Varughese |first=Joel |title=5 current WWE Superstars who have been compared to Hall of Famers |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/5-current-wwe-superstars-compared-hall-famers |access-date=December 1, 2022 |website=www.sportskeeda.com |date=December 2022 |language=en-us}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://slamwrestling.net/index.php/1999/02/15/mcmahon-makes-a-giant-mistake-at-inyh/|title=McMahon makes a Giant mistake|author=Powell, John|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|access-date=August 8, 2008|date=February 15, 1999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722172123/http://slamwrestling.net/index.php/1999/02/15/mcmahon-makes-a-giant-mistake-at-inyh/|archive-date=July 22, 2020|url-status=live}} At WrestleMania XV, she turned on Kane in his match by attacking him with a chair, appearing to rejoin DX.{{cite web|url=http://slamwrestling.net/index.php/1999/03/29/austin-wins-title-at-wm15/|title=Austin wins title at WM15|author=Powell, John|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|access-date=August 8, 2008|date=March 29, 1999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722152626/http://slamwrestling.net/index.php/1999/03/29/austin-wins-title-at-wm15/|archive-date=July 22, 2020|url-status=dead}} 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.

In June 1999, Chyna became the first woman to qualify for the King of the Ring tournament. 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. Later that year, she became a fan favorite again during her long feud with Jeff Jarrett. She challenged the British Bulldog to a match on the October 4, 1999, Raw, and defeated him.{{Cite web |url=http://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/davey-boy-smith-29.html?year=1999 |title=Davey-Boy Smith: Profile & Match Listing – Internet Wrestling Database (IWD) |access-date=February 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216094115/http://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/davey-boy-smith-29.html?year=1999 |archive-date=February 16, 2019 |url-status=live }} At Unforgiven, she had a match for the WWF Intercontinental Championship against Jarrett, which she lost.Laurer, Joanie. If They Only Knew, 311. She defeated Jarrett for the title at No Mercy in his last WWF match, a Good Housekeeping match on October 17, in the process becoming the first and only woman to win the Intercontinental Championship.{{Cite web|url=https://wrestletalk.com/features/10-greatest-womens-moments-wwe-history/|title=10 Most Awesome Women's Moments in WWE History | Page 11 of 11|first=Wrestle|last=Talk|date=September 12, 2018|website=WrestleTalk|access-date=January 12, 2020}}Laurer, Joanie. If They Only Knew, 299. She also gained the services of his valet, Miss Kitty. Laurer said that Jarrett demanded (and received) $300,000 from Vince McMahon to lose the title cleanly to a woman.Laurer, Joanie. If They Only Knew, 314. His contract had expired on October 16, and he was therefore not contractually obligated to appear on the pay-per-view.{{cite web|url=http://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2001/01/30/chynas-book-for-fans-only/|author=Powell, John|title=Chyna's book for fans only|access-date=May 14, 2007|date=January 30, 2001}} If he had not appeared, the WWF would have been criticized for false advertising, and the title's lineage would have been broken.Laurer, Joanie. If They Only Knew, 316.

Chyna then feuded with Chris Jericho over the belt, defeating him at Survivor Series,{{cite web|url=http://slamwrestling.net/index.php/1999/11/15/booking-blows-survivor-series/|title=Booking blows Survivor Series|author=Powell, John|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|access-date=August 8, 2008|date=November 15, 1999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722152559/http://slamwrestling.net/index.php/1999/11/15/booking-blows-survivor-series/|archive-date=July 22, 2020|url-status=live}} but losing the title to him at Armageddon.{{cite web|url=http://slamwrestling.net/index.php/1999/12/13/steph-betrays-vince-at-armageddon/|title=Steph betrays Vince at Armageddon|author=Powell, John|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|access-date=August 8, 2008|date=December 13, 1999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722152552/http://slamwrestling.net/index.php/1999/12/13/steph-betrays-vince-at-armageddon/|archive-date=July 22, 2020|url-status=live}} They faced off again in a match on the December 28 edition of SmackDown!, which ended controversially with both wrestlers pinning each other. As a result, then "head of authority" Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley declared them co-champions.{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322608 |title=Chris Jericho (Jan. 23, 2000– February 27, 2000) |publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment |access-date=August 8, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070421221143/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322608 |archive-date=April 21, 2007 }} 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.{{cite web|url=http://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2000/01/24/rocky-wins-the-rumble/|title=Rocky wins the Rumble|author=Powell, John|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|access-date=August 8, 2008|date=January 24, 2000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723132405/http://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2000/01/24/rocky-wins-the-rumble/|archive-date=July 23, 2020|url-status=live}} Chyna's "co-champions" reign is no longer recognized by WWE and is now considered a continuation of Jericho's second Intercontinental reign.{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322608 |title=Chris Jericho's second reign |access-date=April 16, 2007 |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070421221143/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322608 |archive-date=April 21, 2007 }} Afterwards, Chyna briefly teamed with Jericho.

File:Chyna and Eddie Guerrero - King of the Ring 2000.jpg event with Eddie Guerrero in June 2000]]

Not long after losing the Intercontinental title, Chyna became the onscreen girlfriend of Eddie Guerrero. Originally villains, they became fan favorites during the summer of 2000, with Guerrero dubbing her his "Mamacita".Laurer, Joanie. If They Only Knew, 7–8. They faced Val Venis and then-rookie Trish Stratus in an intergender tag team match at SummerSlam with the Intercontinental Championship on the line.{{cite web|first=John|last=Powell|url=http://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2000/08/28/stunts-highlight-summerslam/|title=Stunts highlight SummerSlam|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|access-date=August 8, 2008|date=August 28, 2000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723012927/http://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2000/08/28/stunts-highlight-summerslam/|archive-date=July 23, 2020|url-status=dead}} Chyna won the match, but lost the belt two weeks later to Guerrero in a Triple Threat match with Kurt Angle.{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322640 |title=Eddie Guerrero (Sept. 4, 2000– November 23, 2000) |publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment |access-date=August 8, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080221163609/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322640 |archive-date=February 21, 2008 }} They officially split in November 2000 after Chyna, in storyline, found Eddie cavorting in the shower with two other women.{{cite web|first=John|last=Milner|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/guerrero.html|title=Eddie Guerrero|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|date=October 13, 2004|access-date=August 8, 2008|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720164133/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/guerrero.html|archive-date=July 20, 2012|url-status=usurped}}

At the same time, Chyna posed nude for Playboy magazine's November 2000 issue.{{cite web|url=http://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2000/10/27/the-real-chyna-revealed/|title=The real Chyna revealed|author=Laroche, Stephen|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|access-date=August 7, 2008|date=October 27, 2000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722161347/http://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2000/10/27/the-real-chyna-revealed/|archive-date=July 22, 2020|url-status=live}} It was also worked into a WWF storyline (based, in part, on a real-life legal feud between the WWF and the socially conservative Parents Television Council),{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2001/biz/news/wwf-wins-round-1-against-parents-org-1117800064/|title=WWF wins round 1 against parents org|author=Dempsey, John|publisher=Variety|access-date=April 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531031549/http://variety.com/2001/biz/news/wwf-wins-round-1-against-parents-org-1117800064/|archive-date=May 31, 2016|url-status=live|date=May 28, 2001}} in which it drew the ire of the Right to Censor (a group of morally conservative wrestlers). Shortly after, Chyna began a feud with Ivory, a member of the Right to Censor, over the Women's Championship. It culminated in a storyline at the Royal Rumble where Chyna appeared to reinjure her neck while performing a handspring back elbow.{{cite web|first=John|last=Powell|url=http://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2001/01/22/surprises-dominate-rumble-2001/|title=Surprises dominate Rumble 2001|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|access-date=August 8, 2008|date=January 22, 2001|archive-date=July 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722154512/http://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2001/01/22/surprises-dominate-rumble-2001/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |last=King |first=Tevon |date=November 18, 2022 |title=10 Things WWE Fans Should Know About The 2001 Royal Rumble |url=https://www.thesportster.com/wwe-2001-royal-rumble-facts-trivia-things-to-know/ |access-date=December 1, 2022 |website=TheSportster |language=en-US}} To convince the audience she was injured, color commentator Jerry Lawler left the commentators' booth and entered the ring to check on her condition, something he had not done since the in-ring accident that killed Owen Hart in 1999. When she returned from the "injury", she won the Women's Championship from Ivory at WrestleMania X-Seven in a squash match.{{cite web|url=http://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2001/04/02/austin-turns-heel-at-wm-x-seven/|title=Austin turns heel at WM X-Seven|author=Powell, John|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|access-date=August 8, 2008|date=April 2, 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722153947/http://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2001/04/02/austin-turns-heel-at-wm-x-seven/|archive-date=July 22, 2020|url-status=live}} She also defended her title against Lita at Judgment Day in 2001.{{cite web|url=http://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2001/05/21/triple-h-loses-austin-wins-at-j-day/|title=Triple H loses, Austin wins at J-Day|author=Powell, John|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|access-date=August 8, 2008|date=May 1, 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722154352/http://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2001/05/21/triple-h-loses-austin-wins-at-j-day/|archive-date=July 22, 2020|url-status=live}} She soon vacated the title, however, as it was her final WWF match.

She left the WWF on November 30, 2001, several months after she had been taken off of television.{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/c/chyna.html|title=Chyna's profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=August 9, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080405050713/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/c/chyna.html|archive-date=April 5, 2008|url-status=live}} Various accounts of her departure have circulated over the years. Behind the scenes, her former real-life boyfriend Paul "Triple H" Levesque began a relationship with Stephanie McMahon; Chyna said the pair began seeing each other before she and Levesque had broken up. In a 2002 interview with The Baltimore Sun, Chyna indicated that the breakup with Levesque had nothing to do with her leaving WWF, stating she left to pursue an acting career.{{cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2002/01/26/ready-to-pin-down-a-career-in-tinseltown/|title=Ready to pin down a career in Tinseltown|author=Eck, Kevin|work=The Baltimore Sun|access-date=September 18, 2008|date=January 26, 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427170127/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2002-01-26/features/0201260050_1_laurer-wwf-acting-career|archive-date=April 27, 2016|url-status=live}} At the time of Chyna's departure from WWF Jim Ross, then Executive Vice President of Talent Relations, reported it was "mutually agreed" to let her WWF contract expire in order for her to explore other career options.{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com/wwe/story/wwe-chyna-triple-h-jim-ross-an-appreciation-042116|title=Chyna: A Renaissance woman gone too soon, an appreciation|author=Ross, Jim|work=FoxSports.com|access-date=April 30, 2016|date=April 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602130724/http://www.foxsports.com/wwe/story/wwe-chyna-triple-h-jim-ross-an-appreciation-042116|archive-date=June 2, 2016|url-status=live}} In a 2015 interview with Vince Russo, Chyna said after a meeting with Vince McMahon about the Stephanie McMahon situation, she was sent home and later received a fax telling her that she was not needed anymore.{{cite web|url=http://www.pyroandballyhoo.com/brand/full-joanie-chyna-laurer-shoot-interview-approx-100-mins/|title=Full Joanie "Chyna" Laurer Shoot Interview (Approx. 100 Mins) – VIP only|author=Vince Russo|access-date=February 10, 2015|date=February 10, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210102238/http://www.pyroandballyhoo.com/brand/full-joanie-chyna-laurer-shoot-interview-approx-100-mins/|archive-date=February 10, 2015|author-link=Vince Russo}} After Chyna's death, Chyna's sister Kathy reported the wrestler was offered a new WWF contract in 2001 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. Ross later confirmed this account, characterizing the demand for $1 million per year as "outrageous" and unrealistic, leaving WWF officials reluctant to negotiate with her despite her fan popularity.

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=641&page=4&year=2002&promotion=1401|title=Cagematch matches database|access-date=September 6, 2022}} 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.

During the May 3, 2011 tapings for the May 12 edition of Impact!, Chyna made her Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) debut, introduced by the returning Spike TV network consultant Mick Foley. 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. During the taping she also took part in a battle royal, where she eliminated Jeff.{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_49796.shtml|title=TNA News: Impact spoilers from Tuesday's Impact taping – big re-branding, debut, two returns, Sacrifice matches|date=May 3, 2011|last=Caldwell|first=James|access-date=May 4, 2011|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110505231909/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_49796.shtml|archive-date=May 5, 2011|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1304483154|title=Spoilers: TNA Impact taping for May 12|date=May 4, 2011|last=Tedesco|first=Mike|access-date=May 4, 2011|work=WrestleView|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926111208/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1304483154|archive-date=September 26, 2012|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_50020.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact report 5/12: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of big reveals, final PPV hype, battle royal main event|date=May 12, 2011|last=Caldwell|first=James|access-date=May 12, 2011|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515041312/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_50020.shtml|archive-date=May 15, 2011|url-status=live}} At Sacrifice on May 15, Chyna submitted Karen for the win in the mixed tag team match.{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_50080.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Sacrifice PPV results 5/15: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV – Sting vs. RVD, four title matches, Chyna PPV return|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=May 15, 2011|access-date=May 15, 2011|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110517221346/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_50080.shtml|archive-date=May 17, 2011|url-status=dead}} She left TNA shortly after, making Sacrifice 2011 her final wrestling match.

File:Joanie Laurer.jpg

Laurer modeled nude for Playboy in the November 2000 issue. In 2002, following her departure from the WWF, she appeared in a second nude pictorial.{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingBiosC/chyna_01dec04-sun.html|title=Joanie Laurer sheds Chyna image|author=Tilley, Steve|publisher=Edmonton Sun|access-date=August 7, 2008|date=August 7, 2008|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115061937/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingBiosC/chyna_01dec04-sun.html|archive-date=January 15, 2013|url-status=usurped}} She also filmed a Playboy adult documentary, Joanie Laurer Nude: Wrestling Superstar to Warrior Princess, which followed her on the set.{{cite web|title=Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew: Personalities|publisher=VH1|url=http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/celebrity_rehab_with_dr_drew/series_characters.jhtml|access-date=August 11, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724015617/http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/celebrity_rehab_with_dr_drew/series_characters.jhtml|archive-date=July 24, 2008|url-status=dead}}

In 2001, Laurer released her autobiography, If They Only Knew. It spent time on The New York Times{{'}} bestseller list.{{cite web|url=http://www.liftedmagazine.com/Issues/Lifted_12-01_2007.pdf|title=Why Joanie Laurer Continues to Serve As A Role Model|author=Moreno, Andrew|publisher=Lifted Magazine|access-date=August 8, 2008|date=January 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080910134730/http://www.liftedmagazine.com/Issues/Lifted_12-01_2007.pdf|archive-date=September 10, 2008}}

Laurer appeared on The Howard Stern Show in 2000, where she claimed she "made [an ass] out of [her]self."Laurer, Joanie. If They Only Knew, 364–365. She also appeared in three episodes of 3rd Rock from the Sun as Janice, a police officer who briefly dated Harry Solomon, and in several commercials for Stacker. She was a presenter at the MTV Video Music Awards.Laurer, Joanie. If They Only Knew, 368–369.

In 2001, she was a guest on a special celebrity edition of Fear Factor. She lost in the final round of the competition to Coolio. She provided her voice for stop-motion animation renditions of herself in Celebrity Deathmatch and Gary & Mike. The next year, she was reportedly considered for a part in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, but lost the role to Kristanna Loken.{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20030708/ai_n12510942|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227064915/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20030708/ai_n12510942|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 27, 2007|title=Terminatrix won't totally dematerialize|author=Pearlman, Cindy|work=Chicago Sun Times|access-date=July 4, 2007|date=July 8, 2003}} She hosted Robot Wars: Grand Champions in 2002, and appeared on the celebrity game show Hollywood Squares in 2003.{{cite episode|title=January 13, 2003|series=Hollywood Squares|series-link=Hollywood Squares|network=Syndicated|airdate=January 13, 2003}}

Laurer appeared as Lulu in Sevendust's music video for the song "Enemy" in 2003.{{cite web|title=Rock And Roll Beef: Sevendust Rip Into Ex-Coal Chamber Frontman On 'Enemy'|publisher=MTV|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1477938/20030908/sevendust.jhtml|date=September 8, 2003|last=Wiederhorn|first=Jon|access-date=August 11, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080829232203/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1477938/20030908/sevendust.jhtml|archive-date=August 29, 2008|url-status=dead}}

In early 2005, she debuted on The Surreal Life with housemates Da Brat, Jane Wiedlin, Adrianne Curry, Christopher Knight, Marcus Schenkenberg and Verne Troyer.{{cite web|url=http://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2007/11/20/chynas-rough-road-in-hollywood/|title=Chyna's rough road in Hollywood|author=Kapur, Bob|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|access-date=August 7, 2008|date=October 12, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723135439/http://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2007/11/20/chynas-rough-road-in-hollywood/|archive-date=July 23, 2020|url-status=live}} On the show, she drank heavily, appeared nude, and got into an argument with her ex, Sean Waltman. She remained friends with Adrianne Curry after the show and made a brief cameo on her reality show My Fair Brady.{{cite episode|title=Love On the Rocks (Therapy Part 1)|series=My Fair Brady|series-link=My Fair Brady|network=VH1|airdate=June 18, 2006|season=1|number=14}} She also appeared on The Surreal Life: Fame Games, which began airing on VH1 in January 2007.{{cite episode|title=Welcome To Celebrity Island|series=The Surreal Life: Fame Games|series-link=The Surreal Life: Fame Games|network=VH1|airdate=January 8, 2007|season=1|number=1}} Filming took place in April 2006 in Las Vegas. She was eliminated from the show in the seventh episode.{{cite episode|title=Dial M for Mommy|series=The Surreal Life: Fame Games|series-link=The Surreal Life: Fame Games|network=VH1|airdate=March 4, 2007|season=1|number=7}}

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. 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. Judge Perez ruled in her favor and awarded her $4,000.{{cite episode|title=Chyna's Chihuahua|series=Cristina's Court|airdate=July 14, 2007|number=2CC051}}

Laurer made her adult film debut with the 2004 video 1 Night in China. Laurer and Sean Waltman approached Red Light District Video to distribute the homemade video, which was released in 2004. Laurer appeared in her second adult video, Another Night in China in 2009. In 2011, she starred in her first professional pornographic film for Vivid Video, Backdoor to Chyna.{{cite web|url=http://vivid.com/movie/backdoor-to-chyna/|title=Backdoor to Chyna|publisher=Vivid Video|access-date=July 30, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805023059/http://vivid.com/movie/backdoor-to-chyna/|archive-date=August 5, 2011|url-status=live}} She also starred for Vivid as She-Hulk in their parody of The Avengers, released in May 2012.{{cite web|url=http://originalvidjunkie.blogspot.com/2012/05/xxx-factor-avengers-xxx-2012.html|title=The XXX Factor: The Avengers XXX (2012)|work=Video Junkie|last=Wilson|first=William S.|access-date=May 21, 2012|date=May 20, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140807033011/http://originalvidjunkie.blogspot.com/2012/05/xxx-factor-avengers-xxx-2012.html|archive-date=August 7, 2014|url-status=live}} A spinoff feature centered on the She-Hulk character, She-Hulk XXX, was released to video in April 2013.{{cite web|url=http://theflickcast.com/2012/02/23/vivid-announces-former-pro-wrestler-chyna-to-star-in-she-hulk-xxx/|title=Vivid Announces Former Pro Wrestler Chyna to Star in 'She Hulk XXX{{'-}}|work=The Flick Cast|access-date=May 21, 2012|date=February 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120607061714/http://theflickcast.com/2012/02/23/vivid-announces-former-pro-wrestler-chyna-to-star-in-she-hulk-xxx/|archive-date=June 7, 2012|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://originalvidjunkie.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-xxx-factor-she-hulk-xxx-2013.html|title=The XXX Factor: She-Hulk XXX (2013)|work=Video Junkie|last=Wilson|first=William S.|access-date=June 8, 2013|date=June 8, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130628030424/http://originalvidjunkie.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-xxx-factor-she-hulk-xxx-2013.html|archive-date=June 28, 2013|url-status=live}}

In one of her final YouTube videos before her death, she said that she'd had no ambitions to go into porn, but was "making lemonade out of lemons" after the video of her and X-Pac was released "without her permission".{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPLSBmF0KAc |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/sPLSBmF0KAc |archive-date=December 22, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Chyna on WWE, Teaching English in Japan and Rebuilding her Legacy|date=July 2015 |via=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}

Laurer's breast implants were custom-made for her after her first implants were ruptured during a wrestling match. She had also complained to her plastic surgeon that their largest implants did not suit her frame as she desired.Laurer, Joanie. If They Only Knew, 94–97. The custom implants became the model for the Chyna 2000s, now marketed to large-framed women and female bodybuilders. Laurer said she paid $6,000 for them.

File:Chyna and Triple H.jpg, whom she dated from 1996 to 2000]]

From 1996 until 2000, Laurer dated fellow wrestler Paul "Triple H" Levesque.{{cite web |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_2_4/ai_88761521 |title=Wrestler snapshot: Triple H |publisher=Wrestling Digest |access-date=September 20, 2007 |date=August 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071121150725/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_2_4/ai_88761521 |archive-date=November 21, 2007 |url-status=dead }} They initially hid their relationship from their co-workers because she felt people might think she "[slept] her way to the top".Laurer, Joanie. If They Only Knew, 277. They also lived together for some time. There is some debate as to whether Levesque started his relationship with Stephanie McMahon while still with Laurer. 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 and Laurer did not), and that Laurer's addictions and mental health problems also contributed to their breakup.{{Cite web |url=http://thelab.bleacherreport.com/the-great-fall-of-chyna/ |title=The Great Fall of Chyna |access-date=October 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917045808/http://thelab.bleacherreport.com/the-great-fall-of-chyna/ |archive-date=September 17, 2016 |url-status=live }}

Beginning in 2003, Laurer had a tumultuous relationship with fellow wrestler Sean Waltman. They were engaged for a period in 2003,{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20050828/ai_n15617271 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071218192548/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20050828/ai_n15617271 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 18, 2007 |author=Wiser, Paige|title=Caught in the act|work=Chicago Sun Times|access-date=July 4, 2007|date=August 28, 2005 }} then broke up, then became engaged again, a pattern that continued for the next two years. In 2004, they released a sex tape which was filmed in 2003. 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. It sold over 100,000 copies, with Laurer and Waltman earning a share of the profits.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/19/fashion/sundaystyles/19tapes.html|title=Sex, Lawsuits and Celebrities Caught on Tape|author=Ogunnaike, Lola|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 11, 2007|date=March 19, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722143316/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/19/fashion/sundaystyles/19tapes.html|archive-date=July 22, 2011|url-status=live}} Laurer, however, maintained that she did not earn any money from the release.{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2006/1145655056.shtml|title=Joanie 'Chyna' Laurer Interview: Talks about leaving WWE, HHH & more|author=Gerweck, Steve|publisher=WrestleView|access-date=August 7, 2008|date=April 16, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229140725/http://www.wrestleview.com/news2006/1145655056.shtml|archive-date=December 29, 2008|url-status=live}} In January 2005, she was arrested for domestic assault after allegedly beating Waltman in front of his children.{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/01/29/914012.html|title=Chyna over the edge|author=Madigan, T.J.|publisher=The Calgary Sun|access-date=March 16, 2007|date=January 29, 2005|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130101004949/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/01/29/914012.html|archive-date=January 1, 2013|url-status=usurped}}

File:Chyna at Slim-Fast Fashion Show 1.jpg

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. Laurer said that she "knew it was coming" because of how the media ridiculed Smith, and she drew parallels between the plight of Smith and herself. However, the wife of the CEO of Trim Spa, Monique Goen, stated that Smith did not consider Laurer a friend.{{cite web|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0702/08/lkl.01.html|title=The Death of Anna Nicole Smith – Larry King Live transcript|publisher=CNN|date=February 8, 2007|access-date=October 30, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071230042521/http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0702/08/lkl.01.html|archive-date=December 30, 2007|url-status=live}}

After leaving the WWF, Laurer was unable to use the name "Chyna" because of its trademark.{{cite news|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingBiosC/chyna2_01dec05-sun.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130101110257/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingBiosC/chyna2_01dec05-sun.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 1, 2013|title=Fine dining and Chyna at Prego|author=Strobel, Mike|newspaper=Toronto Sun|access-date=August 7, 2008|date=December 5, 2001}} She began using the name "Chyna Doll" for public appearances. In November 2007, she legally changed her name to Chyna.

She also had problems with substance abuse. She said that her "life was spinning out of control" around the time she made the sex tape. In January 2005, Waltman said that she was battling drug and alcohol addiction, as well as mental illness. Days after the domestic dispute between Waltman and Laurer, it was reported in the New York Post that she had removed her clothes and jumped into a fish tank in a New York nightclub. That 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." On the program, she said she did not want to do drugs anymore, but said that if a line of cocaine was in front of her, she would do it. After her appearance, she entered a facility specializing in depression recovery, and decided to stop drinking. In early 2008, she appeared on the VH1 reality TV show Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, but said on the show that she did not consider herself an addict.{{cite episode|title=Intake|series=Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew|series-link=Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew|network=VH1|airdate=January 10, 2008|season=1|number=1}} On December 27, 2008, she was rushed to the hospital after her birthday party, where she was found unconscious with cuts on her arms.[https://www.tmz.com/2008/12/28/chyna-taken-to-the-hospital/ Chyna Hospitalized; Too Wasted for Shrinks] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081228182026/http://www.tmz.com/2008/12/28/chyna-taken-to-the-hospital/ |date=December 28, 2008 }} TMZ.com, December 28, 2008

Laurer had a strained relationship with her family. She last saw her mother at the age of 16, and she said that her father was never able to get over her decision not to pursue a career in law enforcement with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. She also alleged that her father took out several student loans in her name without her knowledge, leaving her with $40,000 in debt. On an episode of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew in 2008, Laurer said she had a bad relationship with all of her family members, including her siblings.{{cite episode|title=Friends and Family|series=Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew|series-link=Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew|network=VH1|airdate=February 14, 2008|season=1|number=6}} In September 2010, Laurer was hospitalized after overdosing on sleeping medication.{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/09/20/15415086.html|title=Report: Chyna hospitalized for medication overdose|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer|date=September 20, 2010|access-date=September 21, 2010|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715091620/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/09/20/15415086.html|archive-date=July 15, 2012|url-status=usurped}} Laurer later re-established a good relationship with her mother; her father died on May 15, 2014.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmIjyMiR2Ys&t=1h36m43s|title=Joanie Laurer aka Chyna Talks Triple H, WWE Hall of Fame, and More|date=February 16, 2015|access-date=April 27, 2016|via=YouTube|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404110006/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmIjyMiR2Ys&t=1h36m43s|archive-date=April 4, 2023|url-status=dead|time=1h36m43s}}

From early 2012 until mid-2015, Laurer taught English in Japan.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFYWr-_Fup4&t=4m9s|title=Joanie Laurer (aka Chyna) Responds to Triple H's Hall of Fame Comments|publisher=YouTube|date=February 6, 2015|access-date=February 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114163456/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFYWr-_Fup4&t=4m9s|archive-date=November 14, 2020|url-status=dead|time=4m9s}} She converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while there.{{cite web|url=http://www.ldssmile.com/2016/04/21/chyna-mormon-and-legendary-pro-wrestler-dies-at-the-age-of-45|title=Chyna, Mormon and Legendary Pro Wrestler Dies at the Age of 45|access-date=April 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424041508/http://www.ldssmile.com/2016/04/21/chyna-mormon-and-legendary-pro-wrestler-dies-at-the-age-of-45/|archive-date=April 24, 2016|url-status=live|date=April 21, 2016}}

On April 20, 2016, Laurer was found dead at her home in Redondo Beach, California at the age of 46. Her manager Anthony Anzaldo was concerned when she did not post updates or content to her usual social media outlets for several days, and subsequently found her body in her apartment.{{cite news|first=Veronica|last=Rocha|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features/la-me-ln-chyna-autopsy-drugs-alcohol-20161222-story.html|title=Wrestling star Chyna died from mix of alcohol and drugs, autopsy report finds|newspaper=Sun-Sentinel|date=December 22, 2016|access-date=February 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006003929/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/features/la-me-ln-chyna-autopsy-drugs-alcohol-20161222-story.html|archive-date=October 6, 2022|url-status=dead}} Initial police reports stated that she appeared to have died of either an accidental drug overdose or of natural causes. Anzaldo suggested that any overdose was accidental, saying that she was prescribed drugs, but tended to use them improperly.

Her brain was donated to science to study the effects of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).{{cite web|url=http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Joan-Laurer-Chyna-CTE-Brain-Research-Concussion-377145861.html|title=Chyna's Brain Donated to CTE Research: Manager|first=Jonathan|last=Lloyd|date=April 26, 2016|website=NBC Southern California|access-date=April 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427112539/http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Joan-Laurer-Chyna-CTE-Brain-Research-Concussion-377145861.html|archive-date=April 27, 2016|url-status=live}} However, the brain had naturally decomposed to a point where it could not be definitively determined whether Laurer had CTE.{{cite episode|title=Autopsy: The Last Hours of Chyna|series=Autopsy: The Last Hours of...|people=Eric Meyers (narrator), Suzy Davis, Ed Taylor, and Michael Kelpie (executive producers)|network=Reelz|date=August 25, 2019}} A memorial service was held in Los Angeles on June 22, 2016. Among the attendees were wrestlers Melina Perez,{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/ChynaArmy/status/747892587978170369|title=@RealMelina rocking with Chyna at her memorial. Thankyou Melina|date=June 28, 2016|access-date=February 4, 2018|work=Twitter}} Rob Van Dam, Sean Waltman and Johnny Mantell; actors C. Thomas Howell and Barry Williams; Dennis Hof, owner of the Bunny Ranch; and singers Coolio and Baby Bash, who also performed during the memorial.{{cite web|url=https://www.dailybreeze.com/2016/06/23/wrestling-star-chyna-remembered-by-fans-wwe-celebrities/|title=Wrestling star Chyna remembered by fans, WWE celebrities|work=Daily Breeze|first=Guzman|last=Richard|date=June 23, 2016|access-date=February 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205072400/https://www.dailybreeze.com/2016/06/23/wrestling-star-chyna-remembered-by-fans-wwe-celebrities/|archive-date=February 5, 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://abc7.com/entertainment/wrestler-chyna-remembered-during-memorial-service-in-los-angeles/1398687/|title=Wrestler Chyna remembered during memorial service in Los Angeles|first=George|last=Pennacchio|date=June 23, 2016|website=ABC 7|access-date=July 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729172338/http://abc7.com/entertainment/wrestler-chyna-remembered-during-memorial-service-in-los-angeles/1398687/|archive-date=July 29, 2016|url-status=live}} Chyna was cremated{{cite web|url=http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2016/05/21/Chynas-cremated-remains-to-be-scattered-at-sea/6501463862294/|title=Chyna's cremated remains to be scattered at sea|last=Karen|first=Butler|date=May 21, 2016|access-date=May 22, 2017|work=United Press International|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205130255/https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2016/05/21/Chynas-cremated-remains-to-be-scattered-at-sea/6501463862294/|archive-date=February 5, 2018|url-status=live}} and her ashes were scattered into the Pacific Ocean.{{cite news|url=https://torontosun.com/2016/11/10/ashes-of-legendary-wrestler-chyna-dropped-in-ocean-months-after-passing/wcm/92e6e94d-b033-4afb-956c-9ba146036c2a|title=Wrestler Chyna's ashes dropped in ocean months after death|newspaper=Toronto Sun|first=Hunter|last=Brad|date=November 10, 2016|access-date=July 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711043551/https://torontosun.com/2016/11/10/ashes-of-legendary-wrestler-chyna-dropped-in-ocean-months-after-passing/wcm/92e6e94d-b033-4afb-956c-9ba146036c2a|archive-date=July 11, 2018|url-status=live}}

A report of her autopsy was released in December 2016 which determined that she 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/chyna-s-death-was-accidental-overdose-medication-manager-n563816 |title=Chyna's Death Was From Accidental Overdose of Medication: Manager |last1=Helsel |first1=Phil |last2=Rudansky |first2=Andrew |date=April 27, 2016 |work=NBC News |access-date=April 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170522184439/http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/chyna-s-death-was-accidental-overdose-medication-manager-n563816 |archive-date=May 22, 2017 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/817759/chyna-s-autopsy-report-reveals-cause-of-death-prescription-drugs-and-alcohol|title=Chyna's Autopsy Report Reveals Cause of Death: Prescription Drugs And Alcohol|first=Heller|last=Corinne|date=December 22, 2016|access-date=February 4, 2018|work=E! News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205001337/http://www.eonline.com/news/817759/chyna-s-autopsy-report-reveals-cause-of-death-prescription-drugs-and-alcohol|archive-date=February 5, 2018|url-status=live}}

Numerous commentators have credited Chyna as being influential to women's wrestling and one of the biggest stars of WWF's Attitude Era.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/sports/features/remembering-chyna-the-wwe-star-who-redefined-the-rules-20160421|title=Remembering Chyna, the WWE Star Who Redefined the Rules|last=Oster|first=Aaron|date=April 21, 2016|access-date=April 30, 2016|magazine=Rolling Stone|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428015341/http://www.rollingstone.com/sports/features/remembering-chyna-the-wwe-star-who-redefined-the-rules-20160421|archive-date=April 28, 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/boxing/chyna-deserved-better-than-to-be-discarded-by-wrestling-and-the-rest-of-us/2016/04/28/e819a268-0d4e-11e6-bfa1-4efa856caf2a_story.html|title=Chyna deserved better than to be discarded by wrestling, and the rest of us|last=Blackistone|first=Kevin B.|date=April 28, 2016|access-date=April 30, 2016|newspaper=The Washington Post|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604135233/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/boxing/chyna-deserved-better-than-to-be-discarded-by-wrestling-and-the-rest-of-us/2016/04/28/e819a268-0d4e-11e6-bfa1-4efa856caf2a_story.html|archive-date=June 4, 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.postandcourier.com/20160424/160429670/pro-wrestling-superstar-chyna-was-a-force-of-nature|title=Pro wrestling superstar Chyna was a force of nature|last=Mooneyham|first=Mike|date=April 24, 2016|access-date=April 30, 2016|newspaper=The Post and Courier|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427055020/http://www.postandcourier.com/20160424/160429670/pro-wrestling-superstar-chyna-was-a-force-of-nature|archive-date=April 27, 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/758731/how-chyna-paved-the-way-for-women-in-the-wwe|title=How Chyna Paved the Way for Women in the WWE|last1=Schnurr|last2=Choen|first1=Samantha|first2=Jess|date=April 21, 2016|access-date=April 30, 2016|website=E! News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424115131/http://www.eonline.com/news/758731/how-chyna-paved-the-way-for-women-in-the-wwe|archive-date=April 24, 2016|url-status=live}} Commentator and former WWE official Jim Ross called her, "the distinctive athlete [who] was to WWE what Ronda Rousey has been to UFC", while E! News said that she accomplished more in her near-decade career than any other woman. Others praised her as a feminist icon who defied gender norms;{{cite web|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2016/04/21/chyna_the_female_wrestler_who_broke_all_the_gender_rules_is_dead_at_45.html|title=Why I'll Miss Chyna, the Female Wrestler Who Broke All the Gender Rules|last=Docking|first=Vanessa Vitiello|date=April 21, 2016|access-date=May 1, 2016|work=Slate|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160501023751/http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2016/04/21/chyna_the_female_wrestler_who_broke_all_the_gender_rules_is_dead_at_45.html|archive-date=May 1, 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/wwe-star-chyna-was-a-feminist-icon-who-lived-a-hell-of-a-life|title=WWE Star Chyna Was A Feminist Icon Who Lived A Hell of a Life|last=Bassett|first=Jordan|date=April 21, 2016|access-date=May 1, 2016|publisher=NME|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426025126/http://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/wwe-star-chyna-was-a-feminist-icon-who-lived-a-hell-of-a-life|archive-date=April 26, 2016|url-status=live}} Dawn Heinecken, a professor of women's and gender studies at the University of Louisville, wrote in 2004 that "She was demonized as a feminist who challenged male dominance ... Her latest, and most popular incarnation was that of a sex symbol". She was the first woman to compete in the Royal Rumble match and is the only woman to have held the WWE Intercontinental Championship. Luke Winkie of Sports Illustrated listed her as the 79th greatest wrestler of all time,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2016/07/26/wwe-wcw-ecw-100-best-wrestlers-all-time|title=Ranking the top 101 wrestlers of all time|last=Winkie|first=Luke|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=July 26, 2016|access-date=August 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160731185657/http://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2016/07/26/wwe-wcw-ecw-100-best-wrestlers-all-time|archive-date=July 31, 2016|url-status=live}} while WWE named her the fourth greatest "Female Superstar in Modern WWE History" in 2021.{{cite web |last1=Defelice |first1=Robert |title=Trish Stratus Named 'The Greatest' Female Superstar In Modern WWE History; Full Top 50 List Revealed |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/trish-stratus-named-greatest-female-superstar-modern-wwe-history-full-top-50-list-revealed |website=Fightful |access-date=February 13, 2023 |date=March 26, 2021 |language=en}} Beth Phoenix credits her with "breaking down doors" in the industry, and Kimber Lee credits Chyna as her motivation for entering wrestling.{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/03/31/kellers-wwe-hall-fame-report-331-kurt-angle-rock-n-roll-express-ddp-rick-rude-teddy-long/|title=KELLER'S WWE HALL OF FAME REPORT 3/31: Kurt Angle, Rock 'n' Roll Express, DDP, Rick Rude, Teddy Long, Beth Phoenix|last=Wade|first=Keller|date=March 31, 2017|access-date=May 21, 2017|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170507055145/http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/03/31/kellers-wwe-hall-fame-report-331-kurt-angle-rock-n-roll-express-ddp-rick-rude-teddy-long/|archive-date=May 7, 2017|url-status=live}} In 2017, WWE Hall of Famer Tammy Sytch said Chyna should be inducted into the Hall of Fame, stating: "I believe she really opened up the doors for women's wrestling; not for Divas, but for the women's wrestling industry. She was wrestling men and it was believable because she was such a big personality, such a huge human being, and she should be rewarded for what she did."{{Cite web |last=Gray |first=Ryan |date=August 17, 2017 |title=Sunny On If Chyna Should Be In The WWE Hall Of Fame, Her "Adults Only" Section On Her Website |url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2017/08/sunny-on-if-chyna-should-be-in-the-wwe-hall-of-fame-630228/ |access-date=December 19, 2023 |website=Wrestling Inc. |language=en-US}}

{{Quote box|width=30%|align=right|quote=[She] absolutely, definitely deserves to be in there. It'd be tough to pick a female that was more impactful on the business. 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. ... it wasn't an easy thing, and against all odds she did all of that. She earned everybody's trust. She won over the fans. She won over the boys. She did all of it.|source=Paul Levesque on Chyna's Hall of Fame induction.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/26024475/d-generation-x-inducted-wwe-hall-fame|title=D-Generation X to be inducted into WWE Hall of Fame|last=Fiorvanti|first=Tim|date=February 18, 2019|access-date=February 19, 2019|publisher=ESPN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190219005733/http://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/26024475/d-generation-x-inducted-wwe-hall-fame|archive-date=February 19, 2019|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}}}

The day following her death, a post on WWE.com expressed sadness about it{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/article/chyna-passes-away |url-status=live |date=April 21, 2016 |archive-date=April 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421102157/http://www.wwe.com/article/chyna-passes-away |title=Chyna passes away}} and featured a video of her winning the Women's Championship.{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/videos/chyna-captures-the-women-s-championship-wrestlemania-x-seven |archive-date=May 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160501183855/http://www.wwe.com/videos/chyna-captures-the-women-s-championship-wrestlemania-x-seven |title=Chyna captures the Women's Championship: WrestleMania X-Seven |quote=Chyna's star shines at The Showcase of the Immortals when she dethrones Ivory as Women's Champion. }}
{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5k1QSsmaM4 |title=Chyna captures the Women's Championship: WrestleMania X-Seven |website=YouTube |date=April 21, 2016 |access-date=May 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916021005/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5k1QSsmaM4 |archive-date=September 16, 2017 |url-status=live }} After years without acknowledging Laurer, WWE played a posthumous tribute video on the April 25 episode of Raw.{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/videos/a-special-look-back-at-chyna-s-trailblazing-career-raw-april-25-2016|title=A special look back at Chyna's trailblazing career: Raw, April 25, 2016|date=April 25, 2016|access-date=May 21, 2017|work=WWE|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510092012/http://www.wwe.com/videos/a-special-look-back-at-chyna-s-trailblazing-career-raw-april-25-2016|archive-date=May 10, 2017|url-status=live}} 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."{{cite web|url=https://www.howardstern.com/show/2016/4/29/remembering-chyna-wwe-legend-and-friend-stern-show/|title=Remembering Chyna: WWE Legend and Friend of the Stern Show|date=April 29, 2016|access-date=November 29, 2018|work=howardstern.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109112005/https://www.howardstern.com/show/2016/4/29/remembering-chyna-wwe-legend-and-friend-stern-show/|archive-date=November 9, 2018|url-status=live}}

Columnist Mike Mooneyham of The Post and Courier stated after Chyna's death that it was "an oft-asked question" as to when she would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Jim Ross said that Chyna had an "overwhelming desire" to be inducted during her lifetime. On February 9, 2015, during a WWE Network podcast with Stone Cold Steve Austin, Paul Levesque mentioned that Chyna deserved to be in the Hall of Fame but that her career in pornography prohibited it. 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-sports/wrestling/triple-h-says-former-wrestler-7804686|title=Triple H says former wrestler Chyna deserves WWE Hall of Fame spot after ex's shock death|last=Docking|first=Neil|date=April 23, 2016|access-date=April 30, 2016|work=The Daily Mirror|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430030356/http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-sports/wrestling/triple-h-says-former-wrestler-7804686|archive-date=April 30, 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/2016/05/06/stephanie-mcmahon-chyna-wwe-hall-of-fame/|title=Stephanie McMahon Chyna Will Be in HOF ... 'At Some Point'|author=TMZ Staff|date=May 6, 2016|access-date=May 20, 2016|publisher=TMZ|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509041957/http://www.tmz.com/2016/05/06/stephanie-mcmahon-chyna-wwe-hall-of-fame|archive-date=May 9, 2016|url-status=live}}

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. Although she was being inducted as part of a group, Levesque said that she deserved to be inducted a second time as well for her individual career. Shawn Michaels also endorsed the idea of her being inducted a second time, stating: "Of all the people in this group, and D-Generation X as a whole is deserving, but I don't think there's anybody that would argue that [Chyna] is not the most deserving of [an induction]."{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/2019/03/25/shawn-michaels-supports-chyna-wwe-hall-of-fame-solo-wrester/|title=Interview: Shawn Michaels Supports Chyna Entering WWE Hall of Fame as a Solo Wrestler|last=Casey|first=Connor|date=March 25, 2019|access-date=April 1, 2019|work=comicbook.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401062756/https://comicbook.com/wwe/2019/03/25/shawn-michaels-supports-chyna-wwe-hall-of-fame-solo-wrester/|archive-date=April 1, 2019|url-status=live}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/844989/first-trailer-for-wwe-star-chyna-s-documentary-features-interview-filmed-one-week-before-her-death|title=WWE First Trailer for WWE Star Chyna's Documentary Features Interview Filmed One Week Before Her Death|last=Kendall|first=Fisher|date=April 20, 2017|access-date=May 21, 2017|work=E! News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525213852/http://www.eonline.com/news/844989/first-trailer-for-wwe-star-chyna-s-documentary-features-interview-filmed-one-week-before-her-death|archive-date=May 25, 2017|url-status=live}} On June 16, 2021, Vice TV aired the documentary with exclusive interviews from friends and family members and her manager Anthony Anzaldo.

• AVN Awards
• Best-Selling Title (2006) - 1 Night in China
• Best Celebrity Sex Tape (2012) - Backdoor to Chyna
• International Wrestling Federation
• IWF Women's Championship (1 time)
• Ladies International Wrestling Association
• Rookie of the Year (1998)
• Professional Girl Wrestling Association
• Rookie of the Year (1996){{cite web|url=http://www.glorywrestling.com/WomensWrestlingNews/20040114_1617.asp|title=PGWA Announces 2003 Rookie of the Year|publisher=GLORY Wrestling|access-date=November 4, 2008|date=January 14, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909142136/http://www.glorywrestling.com/WomensWrestlingNews/20040114_1617.asp|archive-date=September 9, 2017|url-status=live}}
• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
• Ranked No. 106 of the top 500 wrestlers of the year 2000 in the PWI 500{{cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/pwi-500/2000.html|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2000|work=profightdb.com|publisher=The Internet Wrestling Database|access-date=January 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203044516/http://profightdb.com/pwi-500/2000.html|archive-date=February 3, 2019|url-status=live}}
• Women's Wrestling Hall of Fame
• Class of 2025{{cite web | url=https://womenswrestlinghalloffame.com/wwhof-news/f/women%E2%80%99s-wrestling-hall-of-fame-class-of-2024 | title=Women's Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2024 }}
• World Wrestling Federation / WWE
• Houston Royal Rumble (1999)
• WWF Intercontinental Championship (2 times){{Cite news |url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/intercontinental/ |title=WWE Intercontinental Championship Title History |newspaper=Wwe |access-date=January 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116121547/https://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/intercontinental |archive-date=November 16, 2018 |url-status=live }}
• WWF Women's Championship (1 time){{Cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/women/ |title=WWE Women's Championship Title History |access-date=January 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619140530/https://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/women |archive-date=June 19, 2018 |url-status=live }}
• WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2019) – as a member of D-Generation X{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwe-hall-of-fame/wwe-hall-of-fame-2019/article/dx-wwe-hall-of-fame-2019-inductee|title=D-Generation X to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2019; tickets available now|publisher=WWE|date=February 18, 2019|access-date=February 18, 2019}}
• Ranked No. 4 of the top 50 Greatest WWE Female Superstars of all time (2021){{cite web|last=Middleton|first=Marc|title=Becky Lynch And Others Trend After Reveal Of WWE's 50 Greatest Women Superstars|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2021/03/becky-lynch-and-others-trend-after-reveal-of-wwes-50-greatest-women-superstars/|work=Wrestling Inc.|date=March 26, 2021|access-date=September 20, 2021}}

• List of premature professional wrestling deaths

{{Reflist}}

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