Introduction to Chyna’s Unforgettable Moments
Chyna, a WWE Hall of Famer, was a trailblazer in professional wrestling, known for her unforgettable moments in the WWF (now WWE) during the Attitude Era. With a career spanning only four years, Chyna broke down many barriers, including becoming the first woman to win a men’s championship before capturing the WWF Women’s title. Her legacy continues to inspire women in the industry today.
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Chyna’s Debut and Early Career
Chyna made her debut in the WWF as a plant in the audience, emerging from a ringside seat to choke Marlena while Goldust was in a match against Triple H. Her debut was unforgettable, with a shocked commentary team playing it off as a disgruntled fan gone too far. It wasn’t until the next night on “Monday Night Raw” that WWF fans knew they were seeing someone who was about to make an impact in the company.
After training at “Killer” Kowalski’s school in Massachusetts, Chyna met Triple H and Shawn Michaels at a show in 1996. They wanted to bring her in as a bodyguard, but Vince McMahon wasn’t initially on board with the idea. She wouldn’t join WWF until after initially accepting an offer from WCW to be the only woman in the New World Order.
First Woman in the Royal Rumble
One of Chyna’s most significant achievements was becoming the first woman to enter the Royal Rumble. This historic moment occurred in January 1999, almost 20 years before the women of WWE would get their own Rumble match. Chyna entered the match last, at number 30, and eliminated Mark Henry, with whom she had been involved in a romantic storyline in the weeks leading up to the Rumble.
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#1 Contender for the WWF Championship
Chyna became the only woman to ever become the number one contender to the WWF Championship, a unique fact of her career. She achieved this by pinning Triple H during an August 1999 episode of “Monday Night Raw.” The then-commissioner of “Raw,” Shawn Michaels, booked a triple threat match between Chyna, Triple H, and The Undertaker, with the winner getting a shot at “Stone Cold” Steve Austin’s championship at SummerSlam that year.
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First Woman Intercontinental Champion
Chyna had one of her most unforgettable moments when she won the men’s Intercontinental Championship from Jeff Jarrett in a Good Housekeeping Match at No Mercy in 1999. The match type was slightly controversial, as it played off Jarrett’s heel character who believed that women should be in the home and the kitchen, not in the wrestling ring, like Chyna.
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Only WWF Women’s Championship Victory
Chyna’s time with the WWF Women’s Championship finally came when she defeated Ivory (who was in Right to Censor at the time) at WrestleMania 17 in 2001. The pair began feuding after another iconic moment in Chyna’s career, her Playboy cover and pictorial in the magazine’s November 2000 issue.
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Final Match in WWF Still a Champion at Judgment Day
One of Chyna’s most unforgettable moments wasn’t fully realized until after the fact. She would unknowingly leave WWF a champion. After just two official title defenses against Ivory and Molly Holly, Chyna faced Lita at Judgment Day 2001. With Chyna’s former storyline love interest Eddie Guerrero looking on from the stage, the women faced off in a 6-minute, 30-second match.
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Chyna remains one of the most iconic women in professional wrestling history for all she did for the business and all the unforgettable moments she had in her career. Learn more about Chyna’s career and legacy Here
