10 Things We Learned From VICE's Chyna Documentary

4. The Other Side Of The Coin

Chyna VICE
VICE

WWE get to set a clear narrative anytime they talk about Chyna. Despite giving Joanie more praise over the past few years than at any point since her release in 2001, the company may never tell her side of the story properly. That's why docs like this one from VICE are so essential.

Chyna found love letters from Stephanie McMahon to Triple H around a year before they officially split up, which is incredible. Things moved quicker from there, and she ended up leaving the promotion in '01. Discussions started after that between both parties - Joanie wanted to use the Chyna name, but Vince wasn't so sure he should let her.

He owned it, after all.

The breakdown of her personal relationship with Hunter, and a perceived drop down to the women's division after years of wrestling men combined to set Chyna on a rocky path. After leaving and battling for her ring name, Joanie spiralled into further anxiety and depression when she didn't get it.

It's sad to watch.

In this post: 
Chyna
 
Posted On: 
Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.