Former WWE superstar Chyna (real name Joanie Laurer) revolutionized what a woman could do in the ring, and was as feared as any male superstar during her time with the company. Unfortunately, the WWE legend was found dead on April 20th by her manager, Anthony Anzaldo.
Videos by ComicBook.com
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner conducted the autopsy, the results of which finally made their way online.
Chyna’s relationship with the WWE was fragmented, delaying what otherwise would be a no-brainer induction into the WWE Hall of Fame. On top of that, she struggled with anxiety and insomnia, and the autopsy confirmed that her death was as a result of the “combined effect of drugs and alcohol.”
The news is saddening, as Chyna was just 45 years old, and deserved to see herself inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame before she passed. The wrestling community was also saddened by the news, and here are some of their reactions to Chyna’s passing.
The WWE
The company where Chyna rose to prominence expressed their condolences for the ninth wonder of the world.
We are saddened to learn of the passing of Joanie “Chyna” Laurer. https://t.co/EgNstScdcD #RIPChyna pic.twitter.com/oLSB509p7p
— WWE (@WWE) April 21, 2016
Stephanie McMahon
Chief Brand Officer of WWE Stephanie McMahon celebrated Chyna’s achievements as a pioneer in the industry.
I just heard the tragic news that @ChynaJoanLaurer has passed. She was truly a pioneer in our industry, and she will be missed. #RIPChyna
— Stephanie McMahon (@StephMcMahon) April 21, 2016
Mick Foley
WWE legend Mick Foley regarded Chyna as a close friend, and will always remember how she treated his children.
Joanie, I’m so sorry. I will always treasure our friendship and will never forget your kindness to my children. RIP https://t.co/pVV0KjbkFt
— Mick Foley (@RealMickFoley) April 21, 2016
Ken Shamrock
Ken Shamrock worked with Chyna during the WWE’s Attitude Era, and looks back on those times quite fondly.
RIP chyna great memories good times you will always be a great part of my life during a great time of my life you will be missed
— KEN SHAMROCK (@ShamrockKen) April 21, 2016
Goldust
Dustin Rhodes, better known as Goldust, expressed a simple but sweet message to his former friend.
Rest easy baby girl! @ChynaJoanLaurer
— Dustin Rhodes (@Goldust) April 21, 2016
Hulk Hogan
WWE icon Hulk Hogan remembers Chyna before her wrestling days and makes sure to not just how wonderful she was to his children.
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
Triple H
The two former colleagues might have had their differences, but Triple H had nothing but kind words to share about the WWE pioneer.
Someone who wasn’t afraid to blaze her own trail & create a path for those who would follow. A pioneer whose star shined bright. #RIPChyna
— Triple H (@TripleH) April 21, 2016
Eva Marie
WWE and Total Divas star Eva Marie shared a picture of the “9th Wonder of the World” looking at home in her element.
Someone who wasn’t afraid to blaze her own trail & create a path for those who would follow. A pioneer whose star shined bright. #RIPChyna
— Triple H (@TripleH) April 21, 2016
Paige
Like many female superstars, Paige recognizes just what people like Chyna did for women’s wrestling.
#RIPChyna sad day for women’s wrestling. #9thWonderOfTheWorld
— PAIGE (@RealPaigeWWE) April 21, 2016
Lita
The phenom known as Lita (real name Amy Dumas) had the opportunity to work with Chyna a great deal during her time in WWE and shared a few highlights from their time together.
So tragic. My heart is heavy today reflecting on this amazing woman. #RIPChyna pic.twitter.com/atJK0XJwlS
— Amy Dumas (@AmyDumas) April 21, 2016
Kevin Nash
The man formerly known as Diesel shared a very sweet message about his former friend, and hopes she finds the peace she was always looking for.
@ChynaJoanLaurer May the peace you were seeking put you at rest my friend. So sorry for not seeing the pain @Mania. We’ve shared so much
— Kevin Nash (@RealKevinNash) April 21, 2016
Natalya
Natalya expressed her sadness at the news, and made sure to send prayers to Laurer’s family and friends.
My prayers go out to Joanie Laurer and her family. It’s very sad to hear this news. Chyna was revolutionary for women in wrestling.
— Nattie (@NatbyNature) April 21, 2016
John Layfield
John Layfield also had the chance to work with Chyna, and mentioned how great a friend she was to him throughout all that time.
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
Becky Lynch
The Lass Kicker Becky Lynch wouldn’t be where she is without the efforts of wrestlers like Chyna, and she expressed her gratitude.
Tragic to hear about the passing of Chyna. A true pioneer. #RIPChyna
— Becky Lynch (@BeckyLynchWWE) April 21, 2016
Trish Stratus
Trish Stratus spoke of Chyna’s legacy of breaking glass ceilings and kicking down gender barriers, and that legacy will continue to live on.
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
Kurt Angle
Chyna made an impression wherever she went, and Kurt Angle loved her for it.
#RIPChyna you made an everlasting impression on ALL of us. #LoveUJoanie
— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) April 21, 2016
Shane Helms
The man known as The Hurricane conveyed just how sweet a person Chyna was to him, and he will never forget it.
All I can say is that Chyna was always incredibly kind to me. I never forgot that. Life can be rough even to the strongest amongst us.
— Gregory Shane Helms (@ShaneHelmsCom) April 21, 2016
Death always has a way of putting things into perspective. And that perspective, it seems, can be hard to swallow. …
— Gregory Shane Helms (@ShaneHelmsCom) April 21, 2016
Tell them that you love them, let them know. In the end, that will be ALL that truly matters.
— Gregory Shane Helms (@ShaneHelmsCom) April 21, 2016
Charlotte Flair
Charlotte knows a thing or two about legacies, and she made sure to let fans know that Chyna’s impact on wrestling will never be forgotten.
Chyna was fearless to no man & a huge part of #womenswrestling her impact will never be forgotten. thoughts & prayers are with her family
Bayley
Bayley grew up with Chyna on her television screen, and expressed her sadness at the news.
Just woke up to the sad news about Chyna. Such a huge part of #womenswrestling and of my childhood. Very sad day. #9thWonderOfTheWorld
— Bayley (@itsBayleyWWE) April 21, 2016
Chavo Guerrero Jr.
Chavo Guerrero Jr. shared a wonderful photo of Chyna in the ring with the late great Eddie Guerrero, and knows Eddie is there to greet her.
I’m sure Eddie is welcoming u into God’s Kingdom #RIPChyna #RIPEddie RT @maxthephotog: @mexwarrior @ChynaJoanLaurer pic.twitter.com/H5TN0C2zyD
— Chavo Guerrero jr. (@mexwarrior) April 21, 2016
Bubba Ray Dudley
Bubba Ray Dudley expressed sincere gratitude for the chance to meet and laugh with Chyna during her career.
Happy to have met you, laugh with you and work with you. GOD BLESS. #RIPChyna @ChynaJoanLaurer
— Bubba Ray Dudley (@bullyray5150) April 21, 2016
Dana Brooke
The up and coming star thanked Chyna for being such a huge inspiration to women like her.
Thank you Chyna 4 being a huge inspiration in my wrestling journey!You are a motivation to many & will leave a mark 4 powerful women! #wwe
— Dana Brooke WWE (@DanaBrookeWWE) April 21, 2016
The Miz
The Miz expressed his condolences to the family and celebrated the footprint on WWE she left behind.
Saddened to hear of the passing of Chyna. My condolences to her family. Celebrate her life & the footprint she left on the world #RIPChyna
— The Miz (@mikethemiz) April 21, 2016
Bobby Roode
Current NXT star Bobby Roode was saddened to hear the news, the latest in a long line of people passing away way too soon.
We are losing too many too fast and too soon. Very sad news @ChynaJoanLaurer #RIP
— Bobby Roode (@REALBobbyRoode) April 21, 2016
Sasha Banks
Sasha Banks has modeled herself after stars like Eddie Guerrero, who left this world much sooner than they should have, and expressed her saddness at Chyna’s passing with a few simple words.
