Former WWE Superstar Chyna (Joanie Laurer)

Former WWE Superstar, Chyna (Joanie Laurer) was found dead in her Redondo Beach, California home today. She was 45 years old. Chyna had a historic wrestling career, paving the way for her successors. Without Chyna we wouldn’t have a Beth Phoenix, Natalya Neidhart or a strong WWE Diva’s Division. Chyna was a pioneer for women in the sports-entertainment industry. A powerhouse in both the men’s and Diva’s divisions, Chyna was named “The Ninth Wonder of the World” (Andre the Giant, dubbed the eighth). She was the first woman to enter the Royal Rumble Match and the first and only woman to win the Intercontinental Championship.

Chyna was also a founding member of D-Generation X (DX), one of the greatest factions in WWE history. DX was the face of the WWE Attitude Era. Original members included Shawn Michaels, Triple H and Rick Rude. The group later expanded to include X-Pac, Billy Gunn and Road Dogg. Chyna initially started out as the groups bodyguard, helping Triple H win matches by executing her signature move; a low-blow to the groin. Chyna would hit the peak of her wrestling career in 1999.

Degeneration-X members from left to right: X-Pac, Road Dogg, Triple H, Chyna, Billy Gunn

In January 1999, Chyna would become the first woman to qualify for the Royal Rumble Match; entering 13^th in the match only to be eliminated by a clothesline from The Texas Rattle Snake, Stone Cold Steve Austin.

In June of that year she also became the first woman to qualify for The King of The Ring tournament. According to Daily Motion, she lost in the quarter final round to Road Dogg, who was wearing a metal cup during the match, preventing him from succumbing to her signature move. In October ’99, Chyna would beat, Jeff Jarret at No Mercy to become the first and only woman to win the Intercontinental Championship. She would hold this title until December after losing it to Chris Jericho. However, in January 2000, Chyna and Chris Jericho would become co-champions of the title after a double-pin was declared during their title match on Smackdown. According to wwe.com, Twenty days later at the Royal Rumble, Chyna would be defeated by Jericho in a triple threat match. As per wwe.com, Chyna would then go on to win Women’s Championship from Ivory at Wrestlemania 17, holding onto the title until late 2001. She vacated the title shortly before her exit from the WWE.

Chyna’s wrestling career continued after her exit from the WWE. According to Pro Wrestling Wikia, she wrestled for a short period of time with New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2002 and had a short stint with Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling (TNA) in 2011. Chyna also appeared in Playboy, starred in adult films and television shows like Fear Factor, The Surreal Life and a music video for Sevendust.

Chyna touched the lives of hundreds WWE Superstars and fans. A revolutionary woman in the wrestling industry is gone but never forgotten. Our hearts go out to Joanie and her family during this difficult time. May she rest in peace.

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Seems like August 2011 is the month for movies by graffiti artists. First we had Banksy’s “Antics Roadshow,” followed by Robbo’s “Graffiti Wars,” and now we have Shepard Fairey‘s “The Rise.”

Unlike the other two short films, Fairey’s video is not super edited, nor is it as offensive. (Banksy’s video highlighted societal mishaps and Robbo’s criticized Banksy. Fairey’s film is a little more… peaceful. Fitting, considering his recent “peace dove” murals in Copenhagen and at the West Hollywood Library.)

Mostly, Fairey just talks to a camera for three and a half minutes about his influences and start in the graffiti scene. Fairey concisely documents his childhood in South Carolina, background in punk rock and skateboarding, and introduction to street art in New York City. He doesn’t delve into the Obey Clothing Line, but does talk about other trademarks like Andre The Giant.

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