Monday, April 2, 2007

WWF - Chyna, Part 1


Chyna (Joanie Laurer) attended Killer Kowalski's Wrestling School in 1995 which is where she met Hunter Hearst Helmsley. Voted "Rookie Of The Year 1996" by the PGWA, Joanie became part of the WWF family in 1997 by making her debut as "Chyna", Triple H's valet. She was soon declared 'The Ninth Wonder Of The World' by ringside announcers since she was physically one of the largest (5'10" 190 lbs.) women anyone in the wrestling world had ever seen. Most male viewers however were left cold by her unfeminine appearance - she was too muscular, had no chest and was definitely not the desirable sex symbol that wow's the male audience. To the detriment of Triple H's opponents however, Chyna discovered that she could easily make the difference between her man winning or losing a match by giving them her lethal and now famous 'low blow'.
Chyna and Triple-H quickly went on to team up with the WWF World Champion Shawn Michaels in 1997-98 and formed the irreverent and comical group D-Generation X. With athletes like X-Pac, Road Dogg and Bad Ass Billy Gunn this group was a major force to be reckoned with each and every week. Chyna became integral to the groups multiple victories and became quite skillful in interfering during a match by taking an opponent 'out' while the ref was being distracted by other member's of DX.

Taking time off towards the end of 1998 Chyna returned to the WWF after having gone to a plastic surgeon and having her jawline reconfigured. A few weeks later a much "bustier" Chyna appeared with Triple H who was returning from an injury. Chyna and the WWF were obviously on the right track for propelling her towards Diva status. Male hormones began to stir when the new and improved "Ninth Wonder" entered the ring to kick some guys ass.

After publicly stating that she had no desire to go after the WWF Women's Wrestling Championship Title since she didn't feel that there was much of a challenge facing other women, Chyna began blossoming into a well-liked (by fans anyway) and respected woman in a man's world. Obviously reveling in the excitement of testing herself in the ring against the men while enjoying her new found status as an up and coming Diva, she did quite well for herself while seizing several firsts in the wrestling world. In January 1999 Chyna became the first woman to compete in a Royal Rumble PPV as she continued her assault on the WWF men's division. Not content in just confronting her one time mentor Triple H (who was now in real life her significant other) she decided to battle the two Superstars of the WWF - Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock - and held her own against either in several matches.

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