Chyna at Slim-Fast Fashion Show. Photo by www.lukeford.net – Wikimedia commons

Top 10 Amazing Facts about Chyna


 

Chyna was a well-known figure from the “Attitude Era,” which transformed professional wrestling in the 1990s. However, unlike greater part of the women who made up what evolved into the World Wrestling Federation’s Divas Division, Chyna was a weight lifter who could hold her own in the ring against male wrestlers. While Chyna’s career in World Wrestling Entertainment concluded in a way she presumably could not have predicted at the time, she has managed to remain in the spotlight over the years due to her participation in reality television shows. Chyna played the lead role in a number of adult films after it became clear that she would not be returning to the WWE.

1.Before her incredible wrestling career she worked other jobs

Chyna was appointed to Guatemala after joining the Peace Corps, and upon her return, she worked at many jobs before deciding to pursue a career in wrestling. She worked as a cocktail waitress in a strip joint, a singer in a band, and a 900-number helpline operator. She also completed a six-week air hostess training course. Chyna was in a car crash on her way to her first flight, which sent her to the hospital and placed her job on hold. She’d get a job selling communication devices after that.

She gradually started competing in bodybuilding competitions, which is how she was unearthed.

2.She had a very difficult childhood

Long before she was ever recognized the ‘9th Wonder of the World’, Joan Marie Laurer was the youngest child of Joe and Janet Laurer. She had two older sisters and managed to spend her early life in Rochester (New York). Nevertheless, the situation changed for the worse when her parents separated when she was four years old.

Joan would have three various stepfathers and one stepmother, each with their own set of issues. Her first stepfather tried to commit suicide, and her biological father battled with alcoholism, according to her. The family relocated several times.

All through school, this absence of consistency was amplified. Almost always, we ignore that life is difficult, and childhood is one of the most difficult aspects of life. Laurer had previously spoken about her misuse and hardships with self – induced vomiting, which prompted her mother to try to convince her to enter a drug rehabilitation center. As a direct consequence, Joan moved in with her father.

Despite these obstacles, Joan was able to thrive, and she graduated from the University of Tampa in 1992 with a degree in Spanish Literature.

3.How she got her stage name ‘Chyna’

American actress, Playboy model, and professional wrestler Joanie Laurer. Taken at the 2007 Scream Awards. Photo by Pinguino K – Wikimedia commons

The WWE has a long tradition of renaming wrestlers in order to obtain trademarks for those names. It was no different for Laurer, who later went by the name “Chyna.” As per ABCNews.com, Chyna’s name was chosen as a play on wordplay. After all, fine china is fragile and easily damaged. That was not the issue with Chyna, who was strong and frequently participated in Triple H’s competitions during her time with him. It’s a real tragedy that she was given the name Chyna, because we all know how fragile she was after her days in the WWE.

4.Chyna had plastic surgery after breaking her jaw

Chyna was hurt during a Monday Night Raw episode and had to leave to have her jaw fixed (and restructured). She also had breast augmentation and lost weight during this time in order to come back with a more feminine image. The implant was named after Chyna, ‘The Chyna 2000s,’ because she requested a size that was not readily available at the time. Chyna’s portrayal would soon change following her come back.

5.She broke quite a few records in the WWE

Chyna stood out from every other female WWE athlete at the time of her debut, and her physique and athletic prowess helped her achieve greatness on various occasions. She was the very first woman to be given a spot in a King of the Ring Contest. Chyna was the very first woman to be titled the WWF Championship’s No. 1 contender, a tagline she never managed to hold while employed by the company. Chyna was the first ever woman to compete in a Royal Rumble tournament, and she is the first woman in history to remove a wrestler during a Royal Rumble tournament.

6.Chyna was once a part of the Peace Corps

Her verbal skills (she also spoke interactional German and French) directed her to think about working with the FBI however, Laurer opted to apply for the Peace Corps instead. She was sent to Central America to tutor literacy for two years in Guatemala and Costa Rica.

Regardless of the intrinsic optimism of choosing to spend two years striving to enhance the lives of many others, this choice strained her bond with her parents even more. Her father supposedly never got over her choice to forego a professional life in the FBI in favor of the Peace Corps.

Laurer, on the other hand, spoke greatly of the encounter, however, when it was over, it was time for her to return to the United States.

7.Her trainer (Killer Kowalski) was a very famous wrestler

American actress, Playboy model, and professional wrestler Joanie Laurer. Taken at the 2007 Scream Awards. Photo by Pinguino K – Wikimedia commons

She was coached by one of wrestling’s most famous and significant men. In 1995, she enrolled in his wrestling school in Malden, Massachusetts. She went on to wrestle as Joanie Lee in several independent shows after that. Joanie was appointed by WWE in significant part because of Kowalksi, and it appears that Triple H and HBK also played a factor because they thought she was ideal for DX. Kowalski also coached Hunter personally.

8.The amazing wrestler was assisted by Triple H

Due to her relationship with Triple H, Chyna was guarded in tournaments and during the artistic process, as per Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer. Triple H eventually became a favorite of Vince McMahon, and as a result, Triple H was able to open doors for Chyna. Due to her role in the company, Chyna not only won matches against male wrestlers. She became the very first woman in history to hold a title traditionally occupied by Ultimate Warrior, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, “Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, The Rock, and several others.

9.Chyna moved to Japan for 3 years to pursue another career

Laurer’s life seemed to swerve from one tragedy to another after she left the wrestling industry. Addiction and drug abuse appeared to be in control, and the press was fixated with some of the most outrageous instances of tragedy exhibitionism to emerge from professional wrestling in recent history.

She would feature in a handful of pornographic movies (winning awards, no doubt), however, the bad press focus was too much for her to bear, and she decided to start over somewhere else. According to her, she loaded a suitcase and purchased a one-way ticket to Tokyo.

Beginning from scratch in a different nation is difficult enough, especially in a nation as socially distant as Japan. Laurer, on the other hand, went for it, and she taught English in Tokyo for three years. Her previous Peace Corps experience was eventually put to use. According to her, this was merely an effort to get things back to normal before relocating to the USA.

10.Apart from the adult films, she also featured on a reality show

American actress, Playboy model, and professional wrestler Joanie Laurer. Taken at the 2007 Scream Awards. Photo by Pinguino K – Wikimedia commons

She’s had her highs and lows, and not everybody sympathises with everything she’s practiced, however, there was a time when Chyna showed up on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. Drew was an established TV Doctor at the time who frequently assisted celebs in overcoming their addictions to drugs and alcohol. Since joining WWE in 2001, Chyna’s life has been a hell of a ride, with many bouts in inpatient treatment.