Joanie Marie Laurer
Nickname
Va-Chyna
The Ninth Wonder of the World
Mamacita
Height
5' 10" (1.78 m)
Mini Biography
Chyna has been dubbed the Ninth Wonder of the World because she has changed the face of television forever and is a pioneer for women in sports entertainment. Chyna's success has been measured through her hard work and ability to captivate audiences in every field of entertainment, wherever she may go. In addition, Chyna has also been called the First Lady of Sports Entertainment. She has broken more barriers than any other individual in professional wrestling history.
Chyna's accomplishments have gone far beyond the wrestling ring and far beyond anyone's expectations.
Before exchanging body slams, modeling for the top magazines and guest starring on hundreds of shows, Chyna was a shy girl who was born in Rochester, New York. She spent most of her childhood in a home filled with alcoholism and domestic problems.
She found her release through working out and began doing aerobics and lifting weights at gym near her home. This is where Chyna found her true niche in the world of fitness.
As the only female in the gym Chyna always stood out, but developed bonds and friendships with the local gym members that gave her the encouragement to keep going in the world of fitness.
She broke all gender barriers everywhere she went and continued her love of fitness throughout her college days. Chyna graduated from the University of Tampa with a 3.9 GPA and a double major in Spanish Literature in under two years. She has also studied foreign languages and can speak English, Spanish, German and French.
Chyna is a true humanitarian and has served in the R.O.T.C and in the Peace Corps to help third world countries re-build, and to teach illiterate children to read. Currently she is a strong supporter of the National Animal Rescue charity which helps domesticated animals find good, loving homes.
Throughout her life Chyna always dreamed of being an entertainer. Chyna began her career in the early 90's as a belly dancer and soon moved on to fitness competitions but at 6'0" the star found her true niche in professional wrestling.
She began training to be a professional wrestler under the guidance of Killer Kowalski in a school of all men. Chyna soon took the world of women's wrestling by storm and began competing in the PGWA where she was named the 1996 rookie of the year and won the women's champion.
After dominating the world of women's wrestling Chyna was discovered by Paul Levesque (Triple H) and Shawn Michaels (HBK), two WWF superstars, who helped Chyna break into the big time.
Chyna made her world wide television debut in February 1997 as a bodyguard for Triple H but Chyna soon went on to break all gender stereotypes by competing with some of the toughest men under the name of "Chyna" in the World Wrestling Federation. Years later Chyna became the only woman to qualify for the Royal Rumble and King of the Ring tournaments and became the only female Intercontinental Champion and the only undefeated WWF women's champion in history.
Five years after she debuted as a professional wrestler in the World Wrestling Federation, she parted ways with the company and Chyna then took Japan wrestling by storm and single handedly brought a culture (where women were considered mere second class citizens) into the 21st century by competing against the top male wrestlers in the New Japan Pro Wrestling federation. While in Japan Chyna stepped in the ring with some of the greatest athletes in the world today, wrestlers like The Great Muta, The Great Kabuki and most notably Masahero Chono
Her 2002 Tokyo Dome match against Masahero Chono earned her the title of Nikkian Sport's 2002 Women's Wrestler of the Year.
Meanwhile back in the United States Chyna appeared in several motion pictures, hosted a barrage of shows and showed women can combine strength and beauty in two top selling issues of Playboy which proved to the world that women can be beautiful without having the stereotypical, "tradition", Twiggy look. She also appeared in the first ever Playboy documentary which did personal in depth interviews with Chyna, her former manager Rich Minzer, her friend Joe Gold and Hugh Hefner himself.
Her strong will to the best and "survival of the fittest" attitude made her one of the top wrestlers in history.
She has served as a role model to millions of men and women by proving anything is possible through hard work and determination. In her best selling autobiography If They Only Knew, she discussed what it took to make it to the top and showed the world what she had overcome in her life to make her one of the most well known pop culture icons in the world.
She Shortly after her first appearance in Playboy she released her own fitness video More Than Meets The Eye which has won awards from fitness and lifestyle magazines. The video is still loved among Chyna fans and fitness fans alike.
Unlike most former pro wrestlers, Chyna has had success on her own two feet. She has been on nearly every talk show and has been featured on hundreds of magazine covers from Playboy and Newsweek to TV Guide and People magazine.
She has been featured on Reggie Benjamin's CD 2X-Centrix, performing drums and back up vocals. She was on the top of the "dance music" billboard charts for 5 weeks with the CD single Ride. She also sang with her own rock band named The Chynna Dolls for a short time, doing concerts the The Roxy, Elrey Theater, Hollywood Athletic Center and two performances on the Howard Stern Show.
She is the current star of 2 new comedy films "The Cougar Club" and "Illegal Aliens" now on DVD.
She has also hosted multiple shows from Robot Wars to FYE and AMC's Tough Guys series.
She had many guest starring roles on TV Show such as; Whose Line , Third Rock From The Sun , Nick Cannon , Pacific Blue , Sabrina , Mad TV , MTV's Diary and many others. She was also featured as a cast mate on season four of The Surreal Life and VH1's spin off, Fame Games as well being in feature films including Alien Tracker , Alien Fury ,Frank McKlusky CI , Hunter Back In Force , The Romp & Brown Sugar .
In 2008 she was featured on VH1's "Celebrity Rehab" TV series to conquer person demons and depression caused from an abusive relationship and childhood trauma.
In 2009 Chyna filmed for a role in the new movie, "A Night at the Silent Movie Theater" and had a lead role in the band Lovechild's music video, Gunna Make you Love Me
In 2009 Chyna released a best selling fashion book, "Paper Doll" and so far in 2010 Chyna has been very busy working on another book project with Judith Regan.
Chyna is also filming for several feature films and will be working on releasing a new fashion line and her own fitness video with Mad Dog Athletics Inc.
Trade Mark
Her ability to combine strength, power, and beauty.
Signature Illegal Move: Chyna Downstairs (low blow).
Finishing move: Jackknife Powerbomb (Release Powerbomb).
Finishing move: Pedigree (Double Underhook Facebuster).
Trademark move: DDT.
Trademark move: Sleeper Slam.
Trademark move: Gorilla Press Slam.
Trademark move: Handspring Back Elbow.
Trademark move: Kneeling Low Blow (from behind).
Chynna Doll.
Trivia
Worked as a belly dancer, pager salesperson, and in a band.
Has never been in WCW, unlike most WWF Superstars.
Started lifting weights at 15.
Jane Fonda is her "idol".
In an interview with the TV Guide Channel, former professional wrestler turned Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura said that Chyna was his favorite wrestler and that she's the "the best wrestler out there as we speak".
Chyna is a licensed boxer, and was preparing for her first boxing match when she was hired by the World Wrestling Federation
Former World Wrestling Federation Intercontinental Champion
Once worked as a singing telegram
Received her wrestling training under Killer Kowalski
When she first came to the WWF, the only people that wanted her there were Shawn Michaels and Triple H. Joanie can speak fluently in Spanish, German and French.
Became first woman to compete in the Royal Rumble
Became first woman to compete in the King of the Ring tournament
Became first woman to hold a men's title in he WWF by defeating Jeff Jarrett for the Intercontinental title in 1999.
Was a member of The Corporate Ministry
Was one of the founding members of D-generation X
Was a member of The Corporation
Has appeared in a commercial for STACKER 2
Was once made "Number 1 Contender" for WWF Championsip by "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, but lost her spot to Mankind.
Has written an autobiography
Was called "The Breast Woman In TheWWF" by fellow DX member Shawn Michaels
Can bench-press up to 325lbs.
Once busted an implant while wrestling
Is friends in real-life with Debra
2 time WWF Intercontinental Champion
Was co-holder of the WWF Intercontinental Championship with fellow WWF superstar Chris Jericho
She moved out of home when she was 15 years old
Graduated from The University of Tampa in 1991.
She spent 6 months in Spain finishing off her major in Spanish literature
She travelled around Europe during her teenage years, and would spend 2 nights in Spain, and then off again for 4 nights in France etc.... She ended up spending two months in Germany.
Her father is a recovered alcoholic
She did other jobs like selling beepers, singing in an "old geezers" band, bartender, airline attendant, and a belly dancer.
Her mother married 5 times
Her parents' names are Joe and Janet. When her father remarried, he married Tina.
Left the WWF in June 2001 when she could not come to terms on a new contract due to money issues.
She lost the role of TX she desperately wanted to play in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003) to model/actress Kristanna Loken.
1 Nov 2002 - Engaged to Sean Waltman. Both Joanie Laurer and Sean Waltman were WWE superstars in the now defunct anti-authority stable Degeneration-X, playing the roles of Chyna and X-Pac respectively.
Once sought employment on the U.S. Secret Service.
Dated fellow wrestler and friend Triple H. The relationship ended when Triple H began dating Stephanie McMahon.
Worked for BTW (Big Time Wrestling) in Newark, California in the 90s.
First women to win the World Wrestling Federation Intercontinental Championship.
In November 2007, Joanie legally had her name changed to 'Chyna'.
Once served in the Peace Corps.
Was a UN scholar.
Personal Quotes
I wear the pants around here!
I've had a broken tailbone... a broken nose... a broken implant...
It's a truly remarkable experience to be where I am now. Because I am Chyna.
You have to work hard to be a success and there is no way around it. Surround yourself by good people. They will make or break you and that's for real. Even if you have to make some very difficult choices.
Now I'm fulfilling my dreams, because I've taken chances, I've moved forward without hesitation.
Where Are They Now
(November 2002) Nov. 1, 2002 became engaged to Sean Waltman (formerly X-Pac of WWE)
(August 2004) Announced on Howard Stern's radio show that she might release her first singing album soon.
(May 2005) She and Sean Waltman are no longer together. She confirmed that on the Howard Stern show.
(November 2005) She is currently in negotiations for her own reality TV deal with MTV.
(July 2006) Now starring along side Faye Dunaway, Jolie Fisher & Mo Collins in "Cougar Club"
(July 2006) Will be starring on "VH1'S Fame Games" this fall
(August 2006) Has been making many personal appearances at several Hollywood events to promote her new movie, "Illegal Aliens" and her fall TV series, "Fame Games"
(February 2008) Currently appearing on "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew".
(April 2010) Chyna is in the process of filming several feature films, working on a television series of her own and working on releasing a new book and her own fitness video with Madd Dogg Athletics
(February 2011) Chyna has been signed to a modeling contact with Model House Talents.
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