# Chyna

> American professional wrestler and actress (1969-2016)

**Wikidata**: [Q466683](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q466683)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chyna)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/chyna

## Summary
Chyna, born Joan Marie Laurer, was an American professional wrestler and actress who lived from 1969 to 2016. She is best known for her groundbreaking career in professional wrestling where she broke gender barriers as a dominant competitor, earning the moniker "The Ninth Wonder of the World," and for her work as a model and actress in film and television.

## Biography
- **Born:** December 27, 1969
- **Nationality:** United States
- **Education:** University of Tampa (Florida, USA); attended other institutions including those associated with Q751289, Q7162648, and Q7199498
- **Known for:** Being a pioneering female professional wrestler who competed against men, her role as "The Ninth Wonder of the World," and her work as a Playboy Playmate and actress.
- **Employer(s):** WWE (World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment), Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW)
- **Field(s):** Professional wrestling, acting, modeling, erotic photography

## Contributions
Chyna's primary contribution was the transformation of the role of women in professional wrestling. By competing in mixed-gender matches and holding the Intercontinental Championship, she challenged the traditional "diva" stereotype and established a new standard for female athletes in sports entertainment.
- **Wrestling Career:** Active from 1995 until her death in 2016, she became one of the most recognizable figures in WWE history.
- **Modeling:** She posed for *Playboy* magazine, becoming a prominent Playboy Playmate and erotic photography model, which expanded her visibility beyond the wrestling ring.
- **Acting:** She appeared in various television shows and films, including the 2004 film *1 Night in China* by Sean Waltman, and worked as a television and film actor.
- **Authorship:** She wrote an autobiography, documenting her life and career experiences.
- **Cross-Promotional Appearances:** She performed for major international promotions including Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and New Japan Pro-Wrestling, helping to bridge the gap between American and Japanese wrestling styles.

## FAQs
**What was Chyna's real name and when was she born?**
Her birth name was Joan Marie Laurer, and she was born on December 27, 1969. She passed away on April 17, 2016.

**Which professional wrestling organizations did Chyna work for?**
Chyna was most famously associated with WWE, where she became a global superstar. She also performed for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) and made appearances in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW).

**What was Chyna's nickname and why was she called that?**
She was widely known as "The Ninth Wonder of the World." This nickname was a play on the "Seven Wonders of the World," highlighting her unique status as a dominant female force in a male-dominated sport.

**Did Chyna have a career outside of wrestling?**
Yes, she was a multifaceted entertainer who worked as a model, including as a Playboy Playmate and erotic photography model. She also acted in films and television and wrote an autobiography.

**Where did Chyna receive her education?**
She attended the University of Tampa in Florida, USA, which was founded in 1931. She also had educational affiliations with other institutions referenced in her biographical data.

## Why They Matter
Chyna matters because she fundamentally altered the landscape of professional wrestling by proving that women could be credible competitors against men in the ring. Before her rise, female wrestlers were often relegated to secondary roles or gimmick-based storylines; Chyna's physical dominance and technical skill forced the industry to recognize women as legitimate athletes. Her success paved the way for future generations of female wrestlers to compete in main events and hold titles previously reserved for men. Beyond the ring, her crossover success as a model and actress demonstrated the potential for wrestlers to become mainstream pop culture icons. Her legacy endures as a symbol of breaking barriers in sports entertainment and expanding the definition of what a female performer could achieve in the industry.

## Notable For
- **Breaking Gender Barriers:** Becoming the first woman to win the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
- **Unique Moniker:** Being known globally as "The Ninth Wonder of the World."
- **Playboy Feature:** Being featured as a centerfold in *Playboy* magazine as a Playboy Playmate.
- **Multi-Hyphenate Career:** Successfully working as a professional wrestler, actress, model, and autobiographer.
- **International Reach:** Performing for major promotions in the US (WWE, TNA) and Japan (NJPW).
- **Physical Dominance:** Standing at 178 cm (5'10") and weighing 82 kg (180 lbs), she was physically imposing for a female wrestler of her era.
- **Pop Culture Icon:** Appearing in the film *1 Night in China* and various television productions.
- **Affiliation with D-Generation X:** Being a key member of the famous wrestling stable D-Generation X.
- **Educational Background:** Attending the University of Tampa.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Joan Marie Laurer was born on December 27, 1969, in the United States. She pursued higher education at the University of Tampa, a private not-for-profit university located in Tampa, Florida. The university, founded in 1931, is known for its semester-based academic calendar and has educated thousands of students. Laurer's educational background provided a foundation before she entered the entertainment industry. She is also associated with other educational institutions referenced in her biographical records (Q751289, Q7162648, Q7199498).

### Professional Wrestling Career
Chyna's professional wrestling career began in 1995 and continued until her death in 2016. She is primarily associated with WWE (formerly WWF), where she became one of the most prominent figures in the company's history. Her role in WWE was revolutionary; she competed in mixed-gender matches and held the Intercontinental Championship, a title that had never before been won by a woman. She was a member of the famous stable D-Generation X, which debuted on August 11, 1997, and played a pivotal role in the "Attitude Era" of wrestling.

Her career extended beyond the US. She performed for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), an American promotion founded in 2002 by Jeff and Jerry Jarrett. TNA, also known as Impact Wrestling, provided a platform for her to showcase her talents to a different audience. Additionally, she appeared in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), a Japanese promotion founded in 1972 by Antonio Inoki. NJPW is known for its "puroresu" style and international roster, and Chyna's presence there highlighted her global appeal.

### Modeling and Acting
Beyond wrestling, Chyna had a significant career in modeling and acting. She was a model employed to display and promote products, and she specifically worked as an erotic photography model, posing nude for sensual photos. Her modeling career peaked when she became a Playboy Playmate, a title given to female models featured in the centerfold of *Playboy* magazine. This exposure significantly boosted her celebrity status.

In the realm of acting, she performed in both film and television. She appeared in the 2004 film *1 Night in China*, directed by and starring Sean Waltman. Her work as a television actor included various roles in dramatic and comic productions. She also worked as a film actor, appearing in motion pictures. Her versatility allowed her to transition between the physical demands of wrestling and the performance aspects of acting.

### Personal Life and Legacy
Chyna's personal life was marked by her unique identity and public persona. She was an American citizen and a human being who left a lasting impact on the entertainment world. Her work period spanned from 1995 to 2016. She authored an autobiography, sharing her personal story and insights into her career. Her physical attributes were notable, with a height of 178.0 cm and a weight of 82.0 kg.

She passed away on April 17, 2016. Her legacy is preserved through various media and records. She is associated with numerous identifiers and aliases, including "Joanie Laurer," "Joan Laurer," "Chynna Dolly," and "The Ninth Wonder of the World." Her digital footprint includes social media accounts and profiles on various databases. She is remembered not just for her physical prowess but for her ability to redefine the role of women in professional wrestling, influencing countless performers who followed in her footsteps. Her contributions to the industry, from breaking title barriers to expanding the market for female wrestlers, remain a critical part of wrestling history.

## References

1. MusicBrainz
2. Find a Grave
3. [Source](http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/legendary-professional-wrestler-chyna-joanie-laurer-dies-45-n559576)
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. [Source](https://boobpedia.com/boobs/Chyna)
6. Genius API
7. The Movie Database
8. [Chyna | Pro Wrestling | Fandom](https://prowrestling.fandom.com/wiki/Chyna)
9. [Chyna (Wrestling) - TV Tropes](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Wrestling/Chyna)
10. [Source](https://mec.lacounty.gov/case-detail/?caseNumber=2016-03032)