Ex-WWE wrestler Joanie 'Chyna' Laurer dead at 45

Former World Wrestling Entertainment wrestler Joanie Laurer, better known by her in-ring name of Chyna, was found dead at her Redondo Beach, Calif., home Wednesday afternoon at the age of 45, according to her manager.

No cause of death has been announced.

She abruptly left the WWE in 2001, reportedly in part due to Triple H ending his relationship with her in favor of Stephanie McMahon, daughter of WWE chairman and owner Vince McMahon.

The two were having an on-camera relationship and hit it off.

Her wrestling career was placed on hold as Chyna jumped into the world of pornography in 2004 with the release of “1 Night in China” alongside ex-WWE wrestler Sean “X-Pac” Waltman. Chyna went on to appear in five more pornographic films over the next decade. Chyna’s non-porn acting credits included cameos on “3^rd Rock from the Sun,” “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch" and “Mad TV.”

Full story HERE

Sad news R.I.P very young

First Prince and now Chyna?!? Damn, this entire Thursday [4/21/3016] has been nothing but sadness.

Speaking as a wrestling fan, my all-time favorite Chyna moment is when she, Shawn Michaels, & Triple H were THE day one original members of Degeneration X.

Never forget!:

It seems Joanie Laurer is Prince's Farrah Fawcett today.

TrivialPursuit said:

It seems Joanie Laurer is Prince's Farrah Fawcett today.

Ouch!

Die-hard wrestling fans are fully aware of Joanie's passing. Even fans of HOR, TNA Impact, Luche Underground, & New Japan knows about it by now.

TonyVanDam said:

TrivialPursuit said:

It seems Joanie Laurer is Prince's Farrah Fawcett today.

Ouch!

Die-hard wrestling fans are fully aware of Joanie's passing. Even fans of HOR, TNA Impact, Luche Underground, & New Japan knows about it by now.

Believe me, it wasn't a slam. I just remember how Farrah's death was greatly overlooked when MJ passed later the same day.

TrivialPursuit said:

TonyVanDam said:

Ouch!

Die-hard wrestling fans are fully aware of Joanie's passing. Even fans of HOR, TNA Impact, Luche Underground, & New Japan knows about it by now.

Believe me, it wasn't a slam. I just remember how Farrah's death was greatly overlooked when MJ passed later the same day.

EmmaMcG said:

A lot of wrestlers seem to die young. In the last few years there's been Macho Man, Ultimate Warrior, British Bulldog, Mr Perfect, Roddy Piper and more. And now Chyna. One thing all of them have in common is a history of drug abuse. Whether it's prescription painkillers, steroids or something more hardcore. I think the WWE should have better measures in place to prevent this kind of thing in future.

Most of them died when they were no longer working for the WWE. Not much the WWE can do to prevent this kind of thing IMO.

TrivialPursuit said:

TonyVanDam said:

Ouch!

Die-hard wrestling fans are fully aware of Joanie's passing. Even fans of HOR, TNA Impact, Luche Underground, & New Japan knows about it by now.

Believe me, it wasn't a slam. I just remember how Farrah's death was greatly overlooked when MJ passed later the same day.

Honestly Farrah Fawcett dying on the same day as Michael Jackson probably gave her more attention if she didn't die on that day. Just about every show like Entertainment tonight would talk about MJ death then right after that they would do a segment on Farrah Fawcett. Farrah Fawcett sickness (I think it was cancer) was getting alot of attention in the media before her death. I think if you ask most people if you asked what other famous person died on the same day as MJ would say Farrah (you knew that). Now with Chyna I'm not seeing that much reporting as with Farrah had.

EvilAngel said:

PurpleJedi said:

TrivialPursuit said:

Believe me, it wasn't a slam. I just remember how Farrah's death was greatly overlooked when MJ passed later the same day.

And Ed McMahnon.

I wasn't really all that into wrestling by the time Chyna came along, but I kinda liked her. She seemed like a nice person.

EmmaMcG said:

EvilAngel said:

Most of them died when they were no longer working for the WWE. Not much the WWE can do to prevent this kind of thing IMO.

They may not have been there when they died, but that doesn't mean WWE isn't at least partially to blame. Wrestling may be "fake" but it's dangerous and wrestlers get injured all the time. The problem is that they're so pumped full of painkillers that they don't know the extent of their injuries until it's too late. Not to mention the toll all those steroids and God knows what else can take on their hearts. They should be looked after better.

The show must go on mentality is why they get on pain killers, but at least in the WWE they still get paid if they're forced to take some time off due to an injury. Wrestlers on the indy circuit worse off. They don't make a lot of money in the first place, but if they don't work they don't get paid.

Pro wrestling is unhealthy on so many levels, not just physically. Relationships are doomed to fail, etc etc....