Chyna

Chyna, born Joan Marie Laurer, was one of the most groundbreaking performers in modern professional wrestling. Emerging from Killer Kowalski’s school and early independent dates as Joanie Lee and Just Joanie, she entered the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1997 as the silent, imposing enforcer of D‑Generation X.

Billed as the Ninth Wonder of the World, she broke gender barriers by wrestling men regularly on national television, presenting a muscular, bodybuilder aesthetic rarely seen in women’s wrestling at the time.

Her WWF run saw her become the first woman to enter the Royal Rumble, the first to compete in the King of the Ring tournament, and the first and only woman to hold the WWF Intercontinental Championship, which she won twice. She also held the WWF Women’s Championship, giving her a unique dual legacy in both divisions.

As DX evolved from heel degenerates to beloved anti‑heroes, Chyna’s alignment shifted as well, and she later enjoyed high‑profile angles alongside Eddie Guerrero and others.​

After leaving WWF in 2001, she wrestled briefly in New Japan Pro‑Wrestling (NJPW), working intergender and mixed tags against male stars like Masahiro Chono, and later made a short return to wrestling in 2011 with TNA.

Outside the ring, she posed for Playboy, worked in reality television, and entered the adult film industry, while also battling addiction and personal struggles.

Chyna died in 2016, but in 2019, WWE posthumously inducted her into its Hall of Fame as part of D‑Generation X, cementing her as a pioneer for women in mainstream wrestling.