Late last week, the wrestling world was stunned to find out that former WWE Intercontinental and Women’s Champion Joanie Laurer, aka ‘The Ninth Wonder of the World’ Chyna, had passed away at age 45. While the cause of death has not been announced — and apparently won’t be for some time — the wrestlers and personalities she worked alongside and influenced have been vocal in support of the memory of a controversial and complex performer.
On Monday, WWE opened Raw with a tribute graphic in Chynas’ memory:
#RIPChyna #RAW pic.twitter.com/a0bu8UTZdd
— WWE (@WWE) April 26, 2016
They followed that with an emotional tribute video that integrated many of those supportive social media messages with clips and images from her career. That includes her becoming the first woman to compete in a Royal Rumble, becoming the first woman to hold the Intercontinental Championship, and a bunch of Eddie Guerrero footage that will emotionally compromise you even further.
You will be missed… #RIPChyna #RAW https://t.co/xSUFp32Ymr
— WWE (@WWE) April 26, 2016