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According to her verified Twitter account, former WWE Wrestler and Reality star Joanie “Chyna” Laurer has passed away. One of wrestlings biggest figures in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, Chyna was known for her hulking figure and wrestled against women and men. In October 1999, Chyna became the first woman to hold a major wrestling title, winning the WWE Intercontinental Championship. Laurer also posed nude for Playboy Magazine in 2000 and 2002 and her 2001 autobiography entitled “If They Only Knew” was a New York Times Best Seller. She also dated former WWE champion and current Executive Vice President of Talent, Live Events & Creative, Triple H.
After being released from the WWE, drugs and controversy followed Laurer. In 2004 a sex tape she made with fellow former WWE star Sean “X-Pac” Waltman was turned into the porn “1 Night In China.” She would continue to make more Adult videos. In early 2005, Laurer debuted on the VH1 reality show “The Surreal Life,” where we would learn about Chyna’s drug and Alcohol habits. Through it all, Chyna is looked at as one of the biggest names during her time in Wrestling and help revolutionize the industry.
Chyna was only 45 Years old. No word on the cause of death.
