Chyna at Blizzard Brawl 2015

Joanie Laurer died about 2 years ago.  At 46, she waqs way too young, but she was deeply troubled.

Originally bursting onto the wrestling scene as a dominant force in 1997 as Chyna, she was unlike anything seen in a ring.  She started as a bodyguard for DX, but soon began wrestling.  She won the Woman's title once, but she also wrestled men, winning the Intercontinental title twice.  She was also in a relationship with Triple H, who would eventually marry Stephanie McMahon.

After leaving the WWE, Laurer dealt with a lot of issues.  Substance abuse and relationship problems plagued her.  She died in 2016 from a combination of alcohol, painkillers, anxiety medication and sleeping pills.  It was ruled an accident.

I've written several times about how great she was in my dealings with her.  Back when I was running a literacy program at Lerner Newspapers, Laurer contributed several autographed pictures and cd's.  She offered to send more whenever needed.  It was especially nice, because she was near the peak of her career in the WWE at the time, yet she gave so much stuff to the program.  When I met her a couple years later, I thanked her and she greeted me warmly.  From then on, she remembered me and was just a real sweetheart.

She just seemed like a sad soul to me.  She was kind of used and then forgotten in the wrestling business.  More importantly, she seemed forgotten in life.  I was happy that promoters like David Herro brought her in for appearances.  Hopefully, she felt the love of the fans at these events.  She always seemed happy there.

Laurer isn't in the WWE Hall of Fame yet, but I hope she makes it someday.  I know the WWE HOF isn't a real entity, but I'd like to see Laurer get some recognition anyway.

Chyna and me in Waukesha, WI-December 2015.

Rest In Peace: Chyna (Joanie Laurer)

Joani "Chyna" Laurer burst onto the wrestling scene as "The Ninth Wonder of the World."  She competed against me.  She won titles.  She was a star in the WWE.

Unfortunately, a series of problems and issues derailed her career and life.  Her battles have been well-documented and she has received more than her share of criticism.  Even more unfortunate, Laurer passed away earlier this week.

A lot will be written and said about Laurer.  I don't claim to have been great friends with her, but she did help with a literacy project I ran years back at Lerner Newspapers and I have met her several times.

For the literacy program, Laurer sent us several signed 8x10's and cd's (she released some music at the time).  She also offered to give us more if needed or help us in any other way.  We had hundreds of celebrities and athletes contribute to the cause, but Laurer gave us more than most and especially among the young girl students, Laurer was very popular.

As part of the press, I also got to meet and talk to her more than the average fan at several conventions.  She was extremely sweet and I found her delightful.  At the first convention, I reminded her of the ad series and she remembered and gave me a huge hug.  From then on, at every convention, I received the same treatment.  At the last one (Blizzard Brawl last December), she stopped the regular fan line to do some pictures with me, even suggesting a few fun poses.

Chyna will go down as a bit of a controversial figure in wrestling history.  Hopefully the WWE will induct her into their Hall of Fame, not because she died, but because she deserves it.

I will always have my memories of Laurer and they are all good.  Rest in Peace Chyna and thanks for some great memories.

Joanie Laurer, Jason Fleigel and me in Schaumburg, IL-November 2015.