Former WWE star Chyna dead at 45
On Wednesday, former WWE star Chyna was found dead in her apartment.
She was 45.
Billed as the “Ninth Wonder of the World” by the WWE, Joanie Laurer broke several barriers while performing for the company from 1997 through 2001.
Trained by Killer Kowalski outside of Boston, Laurer caught the eye of Shawn Michaels and Triple H and was signed by the WWE.
The three became the original D-Generation X group and her star only grew from there.
She was transcendent as far as female wrestlers go, as she was the first woman to take part in the Royal Rumble, the only woman to take part in the King of the Ring tournament, and she is still the only woman to hold a man’s title in the WWE.
At No Mercy on October 17, 1999 at the Gund Arena in Cleveland, Chyna defeated the departing Jeff Jarrett to win the Intercontinental title.
I was there that night, and even though I knew in advance the title change was happening, I could not believe what I was witnessing.
Chyna won the WWE Women’s title at WrestleMania X-7 in 2001 when she defeated Ivory, but she would be gone from the company before the year was out.
Chyna’s personal demons, along with her reaction to Triple H, her real life boyfriend, leaving her for Stephanie McMahon, pushed Chyna towards a downward spiral.
She was 31 and in her physical prime when she left, but one bad decision after another would keep her from returning to the WWE.
Two WWE stars suspended
Social Outcast member Adam Rose and Konnor from the Ascension tag team have both been suspended 60 days for failing the WWE Wellness Policy for the second time each.
Once the pair return, if they were to fail another Wellness Policy test, they would be terminated.
Another star returning
While Rose and Konnor will be out of action until mid-June, Titus O’Neil is scheduled to return to the WWE Monday.
He was suspended for unprofessional conduct on the February 9 edition of Raw, he grabbed Vince McMahon by the arm in a playful way.
However, McMahon took it any way but playful and suspended O’Neil for 60 days.
Ryback unhappy?
Earlier this week, Ryback was interviewed while taking part in the WWE’s overseas tour.
During the interview with Dubai radio personality Myles, Ryback mentioned that he may have to look elsewhere to work.
“I’ve heard in this business hard work doesn’t always pay off,” he said. “So maybe The Big Guy has to go find another world where that work does pay off.”
Ryback has been vocal about being unhappy that he was left off of the main WrestleMania card and having to face Kalisto on the preshow instead.
TNA changes coming?
Word from inside TNA said the company is on its last leg unless investors are brought on board.
The company has been meeting with potential investors and one group is the favorite to end up with TNA while another group is said to be a long shot.
The group that is the favorite apparently already has two people, Ron and Don Harris, with wrestling experience already in TNA.
Longtime owner Dixie Carter is trying to work a deal that will keep her in control of the company but the majority of TNA will be sold regardless.
If TNA is not sold soon, look for the current owners to shut the company down.
The news this week of the potential new investors comes after a rough stretch last week.
TNA was rumored to be evicted from its office in Cummins Station in Nashville and it is in the process of moving the main offices across town to its ShopTNA warehouse.
This week’s questions
Bret Hart is appearing at WWE Payback next Sunday, a few weeks after sounding off about other wrestlers appearing part-time for the company at WrestleMania. Isn’t that hypocritical? Chon, an online reader from Phoenix.
I touched on this last week before it was even announced that Hart would appear at the PPV.
In a one-worded answer, yes, it makes him a hypocrite, but Hart has always put himself first and this is another chance for him to be in the spotlight that he still craves.
Email questions/comments to Bill at powerhousehughes@gmail.com.