Former WWE Legend and Women's champion Chyna died Thursday at age 45.
"It is with deep sadness to inform you today that we lost a true icon, a real-life superhero," read a statement
on her official Twitter account. "Joanie Lauer aka Chyna, the 9th
wonder of the world has passed away. She will live forever in the
memories of her millions of fans and all of us that loved her."
Her manager confirmed her death to ABC7's George Pennacchio. The WWE announced the news later in the evening.
The Redondo Beach Police Department released a statement saying that
while "there are no indications or signs the death was a result of foul
play... events leading up to the death of Joan Laurer is under
investigation by the Redondo Beach Police Department to assist in the
determination if the death was natural or accidental," per David Caplan of ABC News.
According to the Internet Wrestling Database, Chyna's final match in WWE came at Judgment Day 2001, and after that, she had brief spells with New Japan Pro Wrestling and TNA.
The timing of her departure from WWE meant she missed out on the
resurgence of women's wrestling in WWE. While Trish Stratus, Molly
Holly, Jacqueline and Lita were all with the company, it would still be
another few years before the division started really taking off.
Still, there's no question Chyna was one of most recognizable female
wrestlers in the company during her prime, and she helped set the stage
for the likes of Trish and Lita to take women's wrestling even further.
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