Chyna - Fitness Women Wrestling

In 1997, Joan Marie Laurer, better known as Chyna, hit the ring in the then WWF.
Joan had competed in fitness competitions in 1996, but because of her size, she usually didn't place well.
(She probably would have been better off aiming at straight up bodybuilding)
Despite that, she still got to the New York City regional level of the Fitness America competition in 1996.
She was trained by legendary Wladek "Killer" Kowalski and actually made her wrestling debut in 1995.

On April 20, 2016, Chyna was found dead at her home in Redondo Beach, California.

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Joanie Laurer, Chyna

Before she became the "The Ninth Wonder of the World" Joanie Laurer aka Chyna tried her hand at fitness competitions.
According to everything I've read, she didn't do well, but I think that's because with her size and build, she should have focused on Bodybuilding instead.
But the fitness worlds loss was pro wrestling's gain and she soon appeared on the then WWF as Triple H's bodyguard valet.

Joanie started out lifting weights and working out as a way to get away from the domestic turmoil at home.
But it wasn't really until she met Gerry Blais, a bodybuilder at World Gym in Londonderry, New Hampshire that things took off for her.
She dove into training and entered fitness competitions.
The only ones I could really find were the 1994 ESPN Fitness America Competition and the 1996 New York City regional of the Fitness America Pageant.

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