CHYNA WWE LEGEND DIES ... Management Confirms

[Kross Rhodes]

WWE legend Chyna -- real name Joanie Laurer -- has died ... this according to her management team

Chyna was 45-years-old.

A statement was posted to Chyna's official Twitter account confirming the death ... saying, "It is with deep sadness to inform you today that we lost a true icon, a real life superhero."

"She will live forever in the memories of her millions of fans and all of us that loved her."

Laurer was discovered at her home, according to ProWrestlingSheet.com.

Chyna was a game changer during her stint with the WWE -- famously teaming up with Triple H to become one of the original members of Degeneration X.

Chyna went on to pose for Playboy before transitioning to reality TV. She appeared on "The Surreal Life" in 2005.

Later, Chyna got into porn ... releasing 6 films from 2004 to 2013.

She later went to Japan to teach English.

Chyna posted a video to her YouTube page earlier this week -- she looked like she was struggling.



Read more: http://www.tmz.com/2016/04/20/chyna-dead-wwe-legend-dies/#ixzz46QyCo2X1

I can't even right now. So many early deaths for former wrestlers this year. It's so sad.

 

[Mitch Buchannon]

RIP Chyna, such terrible news

 

[Jimmy King]

Terribly tragic news. Big loss for the wrestling world.

RIP Chyna.

 

[Vegeta]

Such a damn shame. R.I.P Chyna

 

[Kross Rhodes]

UPDATE FROM WWE.COM:

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 talented performer, Chyna was a true sports-entertainment pioneer. Not only was the Superstar dubbed "The Ninth Wonder of the World" a founding member of the groundbreaking faction D-Generation X, but she also holds the distinction of being the first woman to enter the Royal Rumble Match and the first and only woman to win the Intercontinental Championship.

Upon hearing the sad news, WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon tweeted the following:


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

I really do hope she is able to rest in peace now.

 

[Deezy]

Seemed like an inevitability by last year.
Not going to pretend she was greater than she was, just won't bring up anything negative. Russo should probably feel some measure of culpability over inadvertantly setting her off the tracks by bringing her back into the spotlight after seemingly getting her shit together in Japan.

 

[Kross Rhodes]

Seemed like an inevitability by last year.
Not going to pretend she was greater than she was, just won't bring up anything negative. Russo should probably feel some measure of culpability over inadvertantly setting her off the tracks by bringing her back into the spotlight after seemingly getting her shit together in Japan.

That actually all started when WWE insinuated they wouldn't induct Chyna into the Hall of Fame because of her porn.

 

[Deezy]

That actually all started when WWE insinuated they wouldn't induct Chyna into the Hall of Fame because of her porn.

She was rumored to be in a few years ago with the rest of DX. She got her shit together enough in Japan that the idea was floated around, then Russo put her his podcast and than she threw out assault allegations at Triple H.

Lets not rewrite history because she's dead.

 

[Kross Rhodes]

She was rumored to be in a few years ago with the rest of DX. She got her shit together enough in Japan that the idea was floated around, then Russo put her his podcast and than she threw out assault allegations at Triple H.

Lets not rewrite history because she's dead.

I'm not rewriting anything. I think you're forgetting some details. Triple H said on Stone Cold's podcast that WWE would have a hard time inducting her into the Hall of Fame because they don't want eight-year-old kids googling her name and seeing what she's done in the past. This is all out in the open. Vince Russo invited her on to the show to comment on the remarks made by Triple H and she was a willing participant. I'm not blaming anyone for what happened, Chyna made her own choices.

 

[Deezy]

I'm not rewriting anything. I think you're forgetting some details. Triple H said on Stone Cold's podcast that WWE would have a hard time inducting her into the Hall of Fame because they don't want eight-year-old kids googling her name and seeing what she's done in the past. This is all out in the open. Vince Russo invited her on to the show to comment on the remarks made by Triple H and she was a willing participant. I'm not blaming anyone for what happened, Chyna made her own choices.

Russo had her on before that, his Pyro and Ballyhoo website had her on the first month of its existence, that's the main reason for Steve Austin asking the question.

Lets not forget this is te same person who flipped flopped on X PAC "raping" her on Opie ad Anthony when he called in to defend himself.

 

[Kross Rhodes]

Russo had her on before that, his Pyro and Ballyhoo website had her on the first month of its existence, that's the main reason for Steve Austin asking the question.

Lets not forget this is te same person who flipped flopped on X PAC "raping" her on Opie ad Anthony when he called in to defend himself.

Even if he did have her on there before, she was always going to spiral out of control again. Triple H or WWE no matter what would have eventually been asked about her and the answer would have been the same. Although, something tells me she might get the induction now anyway.

I think we're both in agreement that Chyna had serious issues. I just hope she's at peace wherever she believed in.

 

[Cwalker]

Let's try and focus on the woman's career since we didn't know her personally.

She was a pioneer that broke a lot of barriers in the business. I'm sure she'll get into the Hall someday. RIP

 

[TroyTheAverage]

I will have a yank in her honor later.

Sad she died and all, but really, up until this news I had forgotten all about her.

 

[We Are Legion]

The only thing I can't figure out is why everyone seems so pissed off at the WWE for not inducting her into their "Hall of Fame". The WWE HOF is a complete joke and anyone who understands the concept of a Hall of Fame in virtually any other sport or entertainment industry should agree. There's no committee, there's no nominees, there's no ballot or anything.

It's fucking literally the McMahon's and her ex-boyfriend saying shit like... "Yeah, let's put Jake Roberts in this year. And Edge... he just retired, so he's in. Paul Bearer died recently, so we gotta put him in. I mean... it'd be kinda fucked up if we didn't right? Who else... oh yeah! What was that one guy's name? You know... the black guy with the parrot. Someone look that up for me and add him to the list. And then let's throw in Donald Trump just to piss everyone off."

Yeah guys. Let's totally get pissed off about her not getting into that can of shit. I'm sure as hell she was.

 

[We Are Legion]

That being said... and having been a HUUUUUUGE DX fan in 98 at a point I loved wrestling more than I ever have in my life, even I wouldn't have put Chyna on a Wrestlemania in her recent mental state. Are you KIDDING me? I mean really... are you guys fucking kidding me? No other show in WWE matters except Wrestlemania. Maybe it would have been different if the HOF ceremony took place during "Battleground" or something, but for Wrestlemania the eyes of the world, including all their company sponsors, share-holders, network execs, distributors, and everyone who might do business with them in the future, are watching. Why would anyone in their right mind jeopardize that over someone who was mentally ill, unstable, addicted to drugs, and has a track record of being slanderous towards the company? Why would anyone in charge of the program take that risk? The risk of catastrophe far outweighs any possible reward for anyone involved no matter how you slice it. And then there's the porn thing, but I really doubt that has as much to do with it as most fans automatically assume because of one Triple H interview. I'm sure that was part of it at one time, but please. There are people in that HOF that have done far worse than porn.