Biography
Chyna (Joanie Laurer) was the first woman to compete in the Royal Rumble, the first woman to win the WWF Intercontinental Championship, and the most physically imposing female performer in WWF history. She redefined what female wrestlers could do and where they could appear.
Chyna was part of D-Generation X alongside Triple H, Shawn Michaels, and others, serving simultaneously as Triple H's manager and bodyguard and then as a legitimate competitor. Her IC title reign in 1999 — defeating Jeff Jarrett at No Mercy — was treated as a genuine upset and breakthrough moment for mixed-gender competition.
Chyna left WWF in 2001 following personal issues. Her post-WWE career was complicated, and she passed away in April 2016 from an accidental drug overdose at age 45. She was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2019.
Championships & Titles
Career Timeline
- 1996Debuts in WWF — immediately stands out physically and character-wise
- 1997Joins D-Generation X as Triple H's enforcer and bodyguard
- 1999Royal Rumble entry — first woman to compete in the Royal Rumble
- 1999Defeats Jeff Jarrett for WWF IC Championship — first woman to win title
- 2001Second IC title reign; brief Women's Championship reign
- 2001Departs WWF following personal difficulties
- 2016Passes away April 20 from accidental drug overdose, age 45
- 2019Inducted posthumously into WWE Hall of Fame as a solo inductee
FAQ
Was Chyna the first woman to hold the Intercontinental Championship?
Yes — Chyna won the WWF Intercontinental Championship twice, making her the first (and, as of 2025, only) woman to hold the title. Her first win came at No Mercy 1999 against Jeff Jarrett.
Did Chyna compete in the Royal Rumble?
Yes — Chyna entered the Royal Rumble in 1999, making her the first woman to compete in the event. She eliminated others in the match, further cementing her status as a crossover competitor.
What is Chyna's legacy?
Chyna broke gender barriers in ways that predated the Women's Evolution era by two decades. She competed against men, held men's titles, and showed that a woman could be a credible physical presence in WWF main events.
When was Chyna inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame?
Chyna was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame posthumously in 2019, as part of that year's class alongside D-Generation X. Her individual induction was separate from the DX group induction in 2019.