One of the most groundbreaking figures in professional wrestling history, Chyna — born Joanie Laurer — reshaped what was possible for women in WWE at the height of the Attitude Era. Though her active WWE-career was relatively brief (about four years), she made indelible marks: breaking down gender barriers, capturing championships typically reserved for men, and creating moments that still resonate decades later. Below are some of her most memorable moments, along with context on why they mattered so much — both in her time and for what has followed.
Early Career & Debut Moments
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Training and Arrival: Chyna trained under “Killer” Kowalski’s reputable wrestling school and soon drew attention due to her unique athleticism and presence. While she initially entertained an offer from the competing WCW (World Championship Wrestling) to join the New World Order as its sole female member, she instead joined WWF (later WWE) after being recruited by Shane McMahon.
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Surprise Debut in Disguise: Her very first appearance was unexpected. She began as a planted audience member during a major match, then emerged to attack Marlena, setting the stage for a character who blurred lines — literally and figuratively — between roles, expectations, and spectacle.
Shattering Glass Ceilings
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First Woman in the Royal Rumble (1999): She became the first woman ever to enter the Royal Rumble. Entering last in the match, she eliminated a much larger male opponent in Mark Henry. This moment was especially powerful because it challenged traditional gender roles in wrestling and opened up possibilities for intergender participation.
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#1 Contender for the WWF Championship: Chyna became the only woman in WWF history to be a number one contender for the world men’s title. After a daring pinfall over Triple H on a regular episode of Raw, she earned a chance at the title (though storyline interference prevented her from capturing it). This was an unprecedented elevation of a female competitor in a male-dominated championship storyline.
Championship Wins & Historic Titles
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Winning the Intercontinental Championship (1999): One of Chyna’s most notable achievements was capturing the men’s Intercontinental Championship by defeating Jeff Jarrett in a “Good Housekeeping Match.” The match was controversial by design, with a storyline framing that women belong in the home. She used this against her opponent, turning everyday household items into weapons, culminating with using Jarrett’s guitar to win. She held that title for nearly two months.
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Second Intercontinental Reign & Intergender Matches: She became worthier of the title again in a match involving intergender competition. She pinned Trish Stratus in one such match even while teams were mixed gender, highlighting her ability to hold her own in storylines that defied traditional gender separation.
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Only WWF Women’s Championship Victory: Although Chyna had already made history in male-dominated title situations, she later won the Women’s Championship. She defeated Ivory, who at the time was part of a conservative, censorious faction opposing what they deemed inappropriate content in wrestling. Their feud included a storyline based on Chyna’s Playboy pictorial, which some in the audience and industry considered controversial. At WrestleMania, Chyna decisively defeated Ivory to win the Women’s Championship.
Leaving WWF While Still Champion
One of her most poignant, perhaps even bittersweet, moments came not during an epic battle so much as during the end of her time with WWE. After defending the Women’s Championship a few times (including versus Lita), Chyna’s last official match occurred at Judgment Day in 2001, where she retained the title. Shortly after, she quietly left the company and the title was vacated without much fanfare. Thus, she left her WWF/WWE run still as Women’s Champion — a rare occurrence, which added to her mystique.
Legacy & Broader Impact
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Trailblazer for Women’s Wrestling: Chyna opened doors. She showed what was possible in terms of female performers being more than eye candy or managers. She showed women could main-event, win male titles, and participate in storylines traditionally reserved for men.
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Influence Beyond the Ring: Her presence paved the way for later generations — female stars who compete in men’s matches, women’s Royal Rumble matches, and who headline big Pay-Per-View events. Her ability to cross gender norms in wrestling contributed meaningfully to WWE’s evolving portrayal of women as full competitors.
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Complex Personal Narrative: Offstage, her life and career had complexities — controversies, issues with contracts, and personal struggles. While those often overshadow her work in media, her in-ring legacy continued to be celebrated by fans and peers alike. After her passing, many tributes reinforced how much she meant to people who believed in her breaking of barriers.
Why These Moments Matter
Each of the moments above weren’t just headline achievements; they served symbolic purpose:
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They challenged the status quo (e.g. first woman in the Royal Rumble; intergender matches).
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They forced wrestling promotions, story writers, and audiences to question what merit, strength, and success could look like for women in the industry.
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They left behind a standard against which future trailblazers are measured.
Conclusion
Chyna’s career, though relatively short in duration, is packed with unforgettable moments because she did more than win matches — she changed expectations. She remains one of the most iconic figures in wrestling history, both for the barriers she crossed and the blueprint she helped build for women who followed. Her legacy endures not just in nostalgia, but in the very structure of how wrestling treats female performers in competitive, dramatic, and powerful roles.