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WWE News: Former WWE Women’s Champion Chyna Passes Away

By Wayne Tomkins • Published 21st April 2016
TJR Wrestling

Chyna, a former WWE Women’s and Intercontinental Champion, has passed away according to a post on her official Twitter account. Her real name was Joanie Laurer.

ABC 7’s Entertainment Analyst George Pennacchio in Los Angeles noted via Twitter that she was found in her bed. He listed her age as 46, even though she turned 45 last December:

The City of Rendondo Beach Police Department also issued a statement regarding the death of Joanie “Chyna” Laurer, saying that they discovered her body late on Wednesday night. They are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding her passing. You can see the full statement below:

This terrible news has also made mainstream media coverage withVarietyposting an article on her passing, which you can readhere.

Many celebrities and members of the wrestling community have taken to Twitter to show their heartfelt comments and disbelief. A selection of tweets are below:

https://twitter.com/AmyDumas/status/723074848738676736

The WWE and in particular Stephanie McMahon, who had a very public falling out and difficult relationship with Chyna, tweeted the following about her passing:

Here are comments from Triple H, who dated Chyna for many years.

WWE posted this onto their site a few hours ago:

Chyna passes away

WWE is saddened to learn of reports that Joanie Laurer, best known for competing in WWE as Chyna, has passed away.

A physically striking and wildly talented performer, Chyna was a true sports-entertainment pioneer. Not only did the Superstar dubbed “The Ninth Wonder of the World” help found the groundbreaking faction D-Generation X, but she also holds the distinction of being the first and only female to win the Intercontinental Championship.

WWE extends its condolences to Laurer’s family, friends and fans.

All of us here at TJRWrestling also send our condolences to Joanie “Chyna” Laurer’s family and friends.

Ski’s Take – It must be huge news when my mobile phone blows up at 5am UK time. What horrible horrible news to wake up to. It seems that not a month goes by when another member of our beloved industry gets taken from us.

This woman broke down so many barriers in the wrestling industry. A founding member of Degeneration-X, the first woman to participate in the Royal Rumble, being the only female in WWE history to hold and defend the Intercontinental Championship against men and making the fans accept that she and possibly other women wrestlers too can hold their own against their male counterparts. The walls she broke down made it easier for other women to enter a male dominated industry.

There will never again be a pioneer (albeit she didn’t know she was at the time) like her for women’s wrestling.

RIP Joanie “Chyna” Laurer