Former WWE superstar Chyna dies at 45

Former WWE superstar Joanie Laurer, also known as Chyna, has died at the age of 45, her manager said in a statement on Twitter early Thursday.

(FOX)- The immediate cause of death was unknown. Laurer’s manager told Pro Wrestling Sheet that she was found dead in her Redondo Beach, Calif., home Wednesday, and she had been taking medication for anxiety and sleep deprivation. It’s unclear if her medications played a part in her death, but TMZ reported that authorities are investigating her death as a possible overdose.

“She will live forever in the memories of her millions of fans and all of us that loved her,” a statement read on her Twitter account.

WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon paid tribute in a Tweet calling Laurer’s death “tragic news” and describing Chyna as “truly a pioneer in our industry”.

Laurer, a native of Rochester, New York, was mostly known for performing under the name Chyna during her career with WWE (then known as WWF). She was also a renowned body builder and an adult film star.

In 1999, Laurer became the first woman to participate in the WWF’s Royal Rumble event. Later that year she broke another barrier by becoming the first woman to participate in the King of The Ring tournament — which had mostly been dominated by male performers — and shared a championship belt.

After issues with WWE, Laurer and the company parted ways in 2001.

She left the wrestling business altogether in 2011 after stops at New Japan Pro Wrestling and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.

In between her wrestling career, Laurer started in six adult films and was featured on four seasons of “The Surreal Life,” “My Fair Brady” and “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew” on VH1.

(Read More)