Joanie Laurer was better known for her appearances in the WWF between 1997 and 2001
as “Chyna.” She was known as the “Ninth Wonder of the World."  Her physical appearance
was unmatched by her peers and strikingly intimidating.  She was trained by the legendary
Killer Kowalski before entering the World Wrestling Federation as Hunter Hearst Helmsley’s
bodyguard.

  In the months that followed, Chyna, Helmsley, Shawn Michaels and Rick Rude formed
DeGeneration X.  Chyna was on hand in Montreal as Michaels beat Bret Hart for the WWF
World Title in November 1997.  Later in the month, Rude left the group for WCW.  The New
Age Outlaws joined the faction.  Chyna quickly made the “Low Blow” famous and her
appearances caused for more fighting in and out of the ring.  In 1998, she left DX and joined
Vince McMahon’s Corporation.  Chyna eventually returned to the cheers of the fans and
became one of the most popular figures in the organization.

  On October 17, 1999 in Cleveland, Chyna beat Jeff Jarrett to capture the WWF
Intercontinental Title, becoming the first woman to hold the coveted belt.  She held the title for
nearly two months.  On December 12th in Sunrise, Florida, Chris Jericho won the title by
submission.  In late December, the I-C Title was held-up after a match between Chyna and
Jericho.  Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley announced on January 3, 2000 that both Chyna and
Jericho had a claim to the belt.  Her second reign began.

  If one of them lost a title match, both would lose the belt.  On January 23rd in New York
City, Jericho beat Chyna and Hardcore Holly in a three-way dance for the title.  Chyna
ventured into Hollywood to perform the role of Janice on the NBC Comedy “3rd Rock from the
Sun.” The episode aired on March 19, 2000.  She returned on May 23rd in both part I and
part II.  Many were delighted to see her on the small screen and beckoned for more.  During
the summer, she formed a bond with high-flyer Eddy Guerrero.  On August 27th at
SummerSlam, Chyna won her third Intercontinental Title during a tag team match with
Guerrero against Trish Stratus and Val Venis.  Her pin over Stratus gave her Venis’
championship.  Eddy later beat her for the belt on September 4th in Lexington.

  Laurer posed for the cover of the November 2000 edition of Playboy.  The issue was the
best selling issue of all-time.  She appeared on the Howard Stern Radio Show on September
29th in New York City.  She also did Conan O’Brien, where she was scheduled to marry a
mini Jay Leno.  Fans seemingly got to know more about her personal side and her sense of
humor.  Chyna, the character, was becoming a real figure outside of the ring.  The fans were
about to learn much more about her life.

  On January 30, 2001, a book by Chyna and Michael Angeli entitled If They Only Knew was
released by Regan Books.  The hardback, autobiograpical work was 325 pages.  The book
was praised by wrestling fans and critics.  In it’s first week, it went to number 2 on the New
York Times Bestseller List.

  In early 2001, she suffered an injury, but a match against the WWF Women’s World
Champion was still scheduled for WrestleMania in Houston.  Nearly 68,000 fans watched
Chyna beat Ivory for the World Title.  During the summer, Joanie Laurer and the WWF were
unable to resolve a contract dispute.  She left the organization and the Women’s World Title
was subsequently declared vacant.  Many of the WWF’s audience had no idea what had
happened to her.

  She appeared on Larry King Live on August 29, 2001 and informed the public about her
departure from the wrestling world.  She announced that she was going to be on the cover of
the January 2002 issue of Playboy, only 13-months seperated from her last pictorial.  On a
sad note, Barbara Olson was a guest prior to Laurer’s apperance on Larry King’s Show.  Mrs.
Olson died tragically on Tuesday, September 11th during the terrorist attacks on the U.S.

  Laurer appeared on NBC’s “Fear Factor” on November 27, 2001 and overcame some
tough obstacles.  In the end, Grammy Award winning rapper, Coolio won the money for
charity.

  On December 18th, 19th, and 20th, 2001, Laurer was scheduled to headline a play entitled
“My Darling Judith” in Mississauga, Ontario.  More can be learned about Joanie on her official
website, www.bodybyjoanie.com.  She remains to be an inspiration to all and will continue her
venture into acting and the Hollywood Stage.  Chyna may return one day for a DX reunion,
though.

TITLE HISTORY:
  -A three-time WWF Intercontinental Champion
          -Defeated Jeff Jarrett (1999)
          -Awarded (2000)
          -Defeated Trish Stratus (2000) tag match victory
  -WWF Women’s World Title (2001) defeated Ivory





Research by Tim Hornbaker
Joanie Laurer Wrestling History
Custom Search
PPV Ring Record        TV Ring Record        Career Record
Legends of Pro Wrestling