There have been a rare string of deaths in the professional wrestling world over the last few weeks and the latest one could be the result of a career that took a tailspin out of control. It was reported late Wednesday night that former WWE Women’s Champion Joanie Laurer, also known by her ring name as Chyna, was found dead in her California apartment.
The news was reported from her official Twitter account by her close friend Felix who had gone to her apartment to check on her after not speaking with her for a few days.
#RipChyna 😢😢😢 all of us on team Chyna love you and will love you forever babe.
Felix pic.twitter.com/jOfbHUAI2j
— Chyna (@ChynaJoanLaurer) April 21, 2016
Many WWE superstars took to their social media accounts to send their condolences and express their shocked grief at the sudden passing. Chyna was only 45 years old and just recently attended the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony in Dallas Wrestlemania weekend.
https://twitter.com/AmyDumas/status/723074848738676736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Devastated over Chyna passing,she dated Brutus years before wrestling,such a beautiful soul and so kind to my children,rip Joanie love u. HH
— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) April 21, 2016
So sorry to hear the news of the passing of @ChynaJoanLaurer She was always a great friend of me and Ron. RIP https://t.co/tbyqXma5Kh
— John Layfield (@JCLayfield) April 21, 2016
Shattered glass ceilings, kicked down doors, broke gender barriers, she was an anomaly & untouchable. Rest now-ur legacy lives on #RIPChyna
— Trish Stratus (@trishstratuscom) April 21, 2016
The 9th Wonder of the World was one of the biggest superstars in the WWE during the Attitude Era in the mid-90s, playing a masculine and stoic character that took no nonsense from anyone. She is still to this day the only woman to hold the Intercontinental Championship and was the first to compete in the Royal Rumble.
Campus Sports would like to send its condolences to the Laurer family.
RIP Chyna.
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports
