The wrestling world lost a legend yesterday (April 20) when WWE star Chyna was found dead in her home in Redondo Beach, California, according to KTLA.
The wrestler’s team broke the news on her website and Twitter page.
“It is with deep sadness to inform you today that we lost a true icon, a real life superhero,” the statement says. “Joanie Laurer 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. #TeamChyna”
Police were called to Chyna’s apartment at around 3:35 in the afternoon after a friend of the wrestler, model and actress called 911 and said she was not breathing. Authorities say Chyna died before her friend found her. She was 45 years old.
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TMZ says that police are investigating a possible overdose because of her history with drug problems. The site says that there were prescription bottles found in the apartment, but no illegal substances.
Chyna won the hearts of wrestling fans as she became the only woman to go undefeated in the World Wrestling Foundation’s history. She was named the PGWA’s Rookie of the Year in 1996 and then entered the WWF, where she broke many boundaries for women in the sport of wrestling.
Royce da 5’9, Travi$ Scott and Gangsta Boo all paid their respects to Chyna on social media.
“I’m sorry .. #RIPChyna” the Detroit rapper says on Twitter.
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Travi$ Scott took to both Twitter and Instagram to mourn the loss of the entertainer.
“R.I.P. Chyna,” he says on the first site. “Greatest female wrestler ever.”
On Instagram, he paid homage to Chyna’s famous punchline, “Suck it.”
“If u not down with that we got two words for ya !!” he writes for the caption of an image of her with a wrestling title belt.
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Gangsta Boo reposted former wrestler and current WWE commentator Jerry Lawler’s picture of himself with the legend.
“Super sad…” the rapper says. “I grew up watching Wrestling. Especially being from Memphis where the King Jerry is from and resided. #RIPCHYNA dam smh. So young man …”
View the social media posts honoring Joanie “Chyna” Laurer below:
