Famed Chyna of the WWE has passed away at the age of 45. Chyna, real name Joanie Laurer, was found dead in her home in Redondo Beach on Wednesday. Her manager confirmed the news but expressed that there is no definite cause of death at this point, although it’s being investigated as a possible overdose.
Chyna continued to have a career in entertainment after her wrestling days came to a close, posing for Playboy and appearing on the reality show The Surreal Life. Her time on the show specifically highlighted her struggles with alcohol addiction.
Many have shared their condolences of her passing, including the WWE who released an official statement on their website highlighting some of her accomplishments.
“Chyna was a true sports-entertainment pioneer. Not only was the Superstar dubbed ‘The Ninth Wonder of the World’ a founding member of the groundbreaking faction D-Generation X, but she also holds the distinction of being the first woman to enter the Royal Rumble Match and the first and only woman to win the Intercontinental Championship.”
Celebrities who were close to Chyna have also been sharing their condolences on Twitter, including Adrienne Curry with whom she starred on The Surreal Life and Brooke Hogan, daughter of Hulk Hogan.
Chyna went through a lot in her life. There was a great lady under that struggle. Rest in peace, old friend pic.twitter.com/G8zb3LHTTL
— Adrianne Curry (@AdrianneCurry) April 21, 2016
Not even believing @ChynaJoanLaurer is gone. She's graduating early…God must have needed an angel.
— Brooke Hogan (@MizzHogan) April 21, 2016
Many from the wrestling community spoke out as well, highlighting the fact that Chyna figuratively and possibly literally kicked down doors paving the way for many women in the industry.