10 Wrestlers Who Transcended The Business
4. Chyna
The late Joanie Laurer, AKA Chyna, was one of wrestling's most overlooked and underappreciated stars.
She first arrived in the WWF in 1997, aligning herself with Triple H. She would go on to become a founding member of D-Generation X, the first woman to enter a Royal Rumble match, and earned the nickname "The Ninth Wonder of the World" for her incredible feats of strength against men twice her size.
Chyna stood out like a sore thumb from every other woman in wrestling at the time, so it was only natural that mainstream publications wanted to capitalise on her unique look.
She modelled nude for Playboy in 2000 and again in 2002, with both issues being among the highest-selling copies of the magazine of all time. She would also appear in numerous TV shows, including 3rd Rock From The Sun and Celebrity Fear Factor.
Chyna is also known for her work as an adult film star, appearing in numerous movies and even winning awards for her work. That's right, they have awards for porn.
Laurer remains one of the best-known female wrestling stars outside of the business. Had it not been for her troubled personal life, perhaps even more people would know her name, but, all things considered, she did incredibly well for herself.