Chyna (1) (1969–2016)

I have had this kicking around for about a decade and didn't think much of reading it. Chyna is from later wrestling TV era than I followed. However, I very much enjoyed this. The writing is witty and entertaining. More than just the expected color photo section, the book is jammed with B&W photos interspersed chronologically in the easy to read chapters and a bonus final chapter of only photos. Chyna's lie story is her overcoming a dysfunctional home including a scheming father that show more burdened her with student loan debt when he fed the cash into his schemes. From an athletic background, acting, beeper hustling, bodybuilding, fitness modeling with Fitness America she stumbled into an intense desire to break into wrestling. She had a lot to overcome breaking into the boy's club which she did and she explains the Vince McMahon managed path to her becoming the first female WWF Intercontinental Championship belt wearer. show less

Reading this now that she has passed, it is truly tempting to say "Poor Joanie." Of course, a lot more awful stuff was waiting for her on the other side of this book, which is what eventually led to her death, and many of the people she mentions here are responsible for that *cough* Vince *cough*. Of course, I could write a whole diatribe about the awful things that man has done to people, so we'll leave it at the cough for now.

Joanie Laurer, the woman who would be Chyna, had a difficult show more childhood. Not necessarily a terrible childhood, but certainly rough. An overly paranoid mother and an absent father, who would later take serious advantage of her, led her to some tough times. Eventually though, she found her calling.

This was an interesting story, and Joan doesn't pull her punches. show less

There were some strange metaphors and similes she used but otherwise it was really interesting!

Oh, god. Don't read this book.