10 Things You Didn't Know About Chyna
1. Chyna Revolutionised Women's Wrestling
Regardless of your opinion on the backstage politics that clouded the latter part of her tenure in the WWF, the much-storied issues that plagued her following her departure or even her career choices post-wrestling, the legacy that Joanie Laurer leaves behind is arguably untouched in women's wrestling.
More so than any individual she broke down a lot of the barriers that were in front of women in this most-testosterone-fuelled of industries, and the list of her accomplishments makes for impressive reading. Chyna was the first women to hold the Intercontinental Championship (doing so twice), the first to qualify for the King of the Ring tournament and the first to become the number one contender for the WWF Championship.
Laurer was the first female to enter the Royal Rumble, and held singles victories over a whole host of legendary names. She changed the way women were perceived in professional wrestling, and that alone should cement her legacy in the business.
The ever-pervading argument seems to stem around whether or not she will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. I would counter that, despite the importance of recognition, her contribution to wrestling did not go unnoticed and the reaction of her peers to her passing shows. Chyna was a pioneer, and she will be remembered as so.