Former WWE wrestler Chyna Dead at 46

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by icecube

I had a buddy who was a ref in the independent circuits for a few years. I went down to Regina with him to watch a couple guys get trained. I had the opportunity to learn to run the ropes and take a few bumps. Just falling onto the back on my own from a standing position, running off the ropes and falling properly , etc. Beginner stuff. Did this for an hour and a half ish. Never been more sore than I was the next day. Wrestling is scripted but it's far from fake.

Jericho talked about this in his first book, when he talked about wrestling training. Just running the ring ropes was bad enough because you have to learn how to do it so you don't hurt yourself, but I think he talked about the first backdrop that he took and he thought he'd pooped his pants it hurt so much.

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by Matata

Wrestlers also take way more damage than regular athletes. If a wrestler wants to get paid, they have to show up, any downtime for healing comes out of their own pocket, which is why they are all on pain killers and working injured.

People get caught up in the fake part of it, and generally don't respect how physically taxing it is. I remember Brock Lesnar talking about how he has a WWE ring set up in his personal gym, people would always say "Body slam me Brock, it'll be fun", Brock would oblige and no one ever asked for a second, because being lifted into the air by a human gorilla and being thrown onto a thin sheet of padding, plywood and steel trusses hurts like hell, no matter how you do it.

I agree. Everytime wresting comes up in a conversation, you get the typical "you know it's fake right?" comment from some dumb ass. And then I have to correct them. It's not fake, it's staged. Those are two different things. Jackie Chan doing stunts is staged, but that doesn't mean it's fake.

Anyways, Chyna had a pretty troubled life. Hope she's at peace now. RIP.

[Vulcan]

When I used to watch wrestling in Vancouver, the NWA All Star Wrestling, which had Gene Kiniski and Don Leo Jonathon as it's main attractions. I went to one live card which IIRC featured Dory Funk versus Bulldog Brower for the World Title. It was mostly two guys grunting and slobbering over each other as they went for a submission hold. Pretty boring compared to what goes on today but I think they sold it better as now it seems like it's a soap opera for teens.

[AcGold]

It's so much more than just staged. When they actually hurt themselves brutally they keep trying to perform and try to pretend they are ok. Wrestling is an absolutely insane career and it pretty much guarantees serious injury.

I'd rather be an mma fighter, they only get beat up seriously 2 or 3 times a year. For wrestlers it's every week, I have no clue how the human body can take being dropped so frequently. The only sports worse on the body have to be American Football and boxing.

Chyna was an excellent entertainer and a pioneer for women, she could physically compete with men. To be honest I've never seen a women so athletic and strong. Sure bodybuilders are strong but she was functionally strong and big. Not many women like that in the world. RIP.

[Derek Sutton]

I don't Chyna passing away came as a surprise to anyone. Going from wrestling to celebrity rehab to the porn industry is certainly trending in the wrong direction. Chyna did not do herself any favours and told a lot of lies about the people who were her friends and who were big players in her wrestling career such as HHH and X Pac. I heard the interview posted below live at the time, it's an interview with her from Opie and Jimmy where XPac (who is a "freind of the show") is listening and phones in to call her on all her BS. He came of as totally honest and she once again appeared to be a train wreck. You could tell then the end was near for her. FWIW, I only recall her busted implant as the most serious injury she had.

NSFW!

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

I agree. Everytime wresting comes up in a conversation, you get the typical "you know it's fake right?"

This has never made sense to me. People are aware that The Bachelor is staged, right? Doesn't seem to stop people from watching it.

[Mr.Coffee]

is it just me, or is it kind of an indictment to this site that the Chyna wrestling girl has passed away thread gas generated more discussion than the Ecuador massive sad earthquake killing 235 people discussion?

[JiriHrdina]

What sparks discussion isn't necessarily reflective of what people care more about.

[pylon]

I would also assume that steroid use would have been a massive contributing factor. It wasn't even debatable. She had the worst case of 'shenis' I have ever seen, the most common side effect of steroid abuse in women. Anyway, it is still sad she couldn't beat her demons. She was still a human being.

There has to be a point in time where they simply shut down the pro wrestling circuit. The amount of tragedy and death is sickening at this point, and eventually someone has to put an end to it. I actually feel guilt watching it now, knowing these people are literally killing themselves for my entertainment.

[FireGilbert]

She will always be remembered as She-Hulk to me

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

What sparks discussion isn't necessarily reflective of what people care more about.

just a lousy joke

[Swift]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

This has never made sense to me. People are aware that The Bachelor is staged, right? Doesn't seem to stop people from watching it.

Right. It goes for all forms of fiction though. Nobody ever states "Uh, you know Game of Thrones isn't real right? It's all scripted and they're not really hurting each other!"

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by pylon

I would also assume that steroid use would have been a massive contributing factor. It wasn't even debatable. She had the worst case of 'shenis' I have ever seen, the most common side effect of steroid abuse in women. Anyway, it is still sad she couldn't beat her demons. She was still a human being.

There has to be a point in time where they simply shut down the pro wrestling circuit. The amount of tragedy and death is sickening at this point, and eventually someone has to put an end to it. I actually feel guilt watching it now, knowing these people are literally killing themselves for my entertainment.

Realistically if you go by that logic then you have to shut down the Hollywood entertainment history.

How many tragedies do we see in terms of deaths by things like overdoses etc.

If anything you could argue that the WWE has to an extent reformed themselves with the health and wellness program, and on top of that they do more for their former employees then Hollywood ever does.

As for the violent messaging, the stuff that you see on regular TV and regular movies is far in excess of the WWE in terms of staged violence and disturbing actions.

I think there's a huge double standard when it comes to wrestling versus other forms of entertainment.

Are there tragedies in the WWE and with their former wrestlers, sure but for every Chyna there's a River Phoenix. For every Balls Mahoney there's a Chris Farley.

How many stuntpeople have died doing dangerous things or been left crippled, we just don't hear a lot about it.

In terms of movies versus wrestling.

2 hours of home alone movies is more violent and sadistic then the past 10 Wrestlemanias.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Realistically if you go by that logic then you have to shut down the Hollywood entertainment history.

How many tragedies do we see in terms of deaths by things like overdoses etc.

If anything you could argue that the WWE has to an extent reformed themselves with the health and wellness program, and on top of that they do more for their former employees then Hollywood ever does.

As for the violent messaging, the stuff that you see on regular TV and regular movies is far in excess of the WWE in terms of staged violence and disturbing actions.

I think there's a huge double standard when it comes to wrestling versus other forms of entertainment.

Are there tragedies in the WWE and with their former wrestlers, sure but for every Chyna there's a River Phoenix. For every Balls Mahoney there's a Chris Farley.

How many stuntpeople have died doing dangerous things or been left crippled, we just don't hear a lot about it.

In terms of movies versus wrestling.

2 hours of home alone movies is more violent and sadistic then the past 10 Wrestlemanias.

With wrestling you have the added effects of steroid/pain killer use, road scheduling, and a toss you aside once we're done attitude.

You basically put people in a situation where they are physically and psychologically messed up from years of pressured steroid and pain killer abuse. Then you pay them marginally well (I know the superstars get paid well, but that's not the norm) and force them to be on the road, so they can't pursue other avenues. After all that, the industry seems to treat them as though they were disposable.

You can argue they know what they're getting into ahead of time, but that doesn't make it nice. You don't have that same deadly combo in other entertainment industries....well maybe porn. But even then, they don't have the same grueling road schedule.

[Jordan!]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

is it just me, or is it kind of an indictment to this site that the Chyna wrestling girl has passed away thread gas generated more discussion than the Ecuador massive sad earthquake killing 235 people discussion?

[Derek Sutton]

Originally Posted by blankall

With wrestling you have the added effects of steroid/pain killer use, road scheduling, and a toss you aside once we're done attitude.

You basically put people in a situation where they are physically and psychologically messed up from years of pressured steroid and pain killer abuse. Then you pay them marginally well (I know the superstars get paid well, but that's not the norm) and force them to be on the road, so they can't pursue other avenues. After all that, the industry seems to treat them as though they were disposable.

You can argue they know what they're getting into ahead of time, but that doesn't make it nice. You don't have that same deadly combo in other entertainment industries....well maybe porn. But even then, they don't have the same grueling road schedule.

You've described every professional sport. Yes the athletes playing at the highest level of the big four are all paid well, but for every one that makes it, there are 1000's beating the hell out of themselves to cling on in the minor leagues. Heck, the NCAA and CHL are doing the same with teenagers, to single out pro wrestling is very narrow minded.

For about 10 years (98-08?), yes there was a huge problem with early deaths in wrestling, it took time first recognize and accept there was a problem, put some action plans in place and see some results. Things are certainly much better now, just look at all the wrestlers currently out with injuries. The WWE health and wellness policy does seem to apply more to some then others, but since becoming a public company they have turned things around.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Realistically if you go by that logic then you have to shut down the Hollywood entertainment history.

How many tragedies do we see in terms of deaths by things like overdoses etc.

If anything you could argue that the WWE has to an extent reformed themselves with the health and wellness program, and on top of that they do more for their former employees then Hollywood ever does.

As for the violent messaging, the stuff that you see on regular TV and regular movies is far in excess of the WWE in terms of staged violence and disturbing actions.

I think there's a huge double standard when it comes to wrestling versus other forms of entertainment.

Are there tragedies in the WWE and with their former wrestlers, sure but for every Chyna there's a River Phoenix. For every Balls Mahoney there's a Chris Farley.

How many stuntpeople have died doing dangerous things or been left crippled, we just don't hear a lot about it.

In terms of movies versus wrestling.

2 hours of home alone movies is more violent and sadistic then the past 10 Wrestlemanias.

Many people have died or been injured filming motion pictures but the difference is that due to their celebrity status when a wrestler dies it makes big news but when it's joe blow stunt man or some set person that nobody knows losing their life it's easy to overlook.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by blankall

With wrestling you have the added effects of steroid/pain killer use, road scheduling, and a toss you aside once we're done attitude.

In the entertainment industry you have rampant alcohol abuse and drug abuse, a pretty killer road schedule where the average working actor is away from home for long stretches of time as well, and hollywood and the entertainment is far more ruthless then the WWE ever was in terms of fading talents. At least WWE has set up not only a health and wellness program, but they've also set up a tuition assistance program for retired wrestlers who go back to school.

Originally Posted by blankall

You basically put people in a situation where they are physically and psychologically messed up from years of pressured steroid and pain killer abuse. Then you pay them marginally well (I know the superstars get paid well, but that's not the norm) and force them to be on the road, so they can't pursue other avenues. After all that, the industry seems to treat them as though they were disposable.

You can argue the same thing in Hollywood too, you don't think the contract workers in that industry are under tremendous pressure because they're not guaranteed their next job. Not every actor is paid well, lives in a big mansion . They're forced to be on the road filming, doing promotional work etc. Seems that they're both similar. For all of the big celebrity tragedies that we hear about, there are probably a lot more of the more unknown people that are the bigger story.

Originally Posted by blankall

You can argue they know what they're getting into ahead of time, but that doesn't make it nice. You don't have that same deadly combo in other entertainment industries....well maybe porn. But even then, they don't have the same grueling road schedule.

You absolutely do in the other industries, but it might be more psychological then physical. I was also reading the the WWE has also changed their schedule to 4 days on the road and 3 days off, for most of the wrestlers so that's no different then a traveling sales person.

Look, is wrestling awesome to its people, not all the time, and there are issues there, but to say that its an extreme over the entertainment industry in terms of how it treats people and the content that it produces is a bit dishonest. I would argue that the trail of broken people in the entertainment industry is far more pronounced in the entertainment business then it is in wrestling because by its own nature its designed that way in the search for the next big thing.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Derek Sutton

You've described every professional sport. Yes the athletes playing at the highest level of the big four are all paid well, but for every one that makes it, there are 1000's beating the hell out of themselves to cling on in the minor leagues. Heck, the NCAA and CHL are doing the same with teenagers, to single out pro wrestling is very narrow minded.

For about 10 years (98-08?), yes there was a huge problem with early deaths in wrestling, it took time first recognize and accept there was a problem, put some action plans in place and see some results. Things are certainly much better now, just look at all the wrestlers currently out with injuries. The WWE health and wellness policy does seem to apply more to some then others, but since becoming a public company they have turned things around.

Other professional sports are not year round. The NCAA, by definition, gives their athletes the opportunity to go to college. Other sports also don't involve steroid use to such an extreme. Taking PEDs is one thing, but to put on a professional wrestler's size and bodybuilder style physique requires steroid abuse to a much higher degree and over much longer periods of time.

Another separating factor from other sports obviously is the kind of athlete it attracts and the lifestyle the lead. While I don't deny the hard work it takes to be big in wrestling, the system does not seem to follow the same regimented schedule that other sports would. The lifestyle would be somewhere in between being an athlete and a rock star.

I'm not denying that other sports/forms of entertainment are tough on the talent. Professional wrestling, however, takes it to an extreme degree, as evidenced by the much higher proportion of athletes who end up dead at a young age. Yes, you may be right they are recognizing this and turning things around. But to just say it's like any other sport is facetious.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Many people have died or been injured filming motion pictures but the difference is that due to their celebrity status when a wrestler dies it makes big news but when it's joe blow stunt man or some set person that nobody knows losing their life it's easy to overlook.

I would argue that because of its own mainstream status, when an actor blows his brains out or overdoses or drives wrecklessly into a pole at 200 mph, the very nature is to an extent over mourn, rehabilitate the celebrity in death, and ignore the causes, that's the hollywood hype machine.

With Wrestlers its a press condemnation of the industry because its a freak show and a circus.

Last year there were 20 wrestler deaths. Out of that one I could see was an in ring caused death, Roddy Piper's death was pretty much 60 years old when he passed, but he also wrestled in a type of environment that doesn't exist anymore. Dusty Rhodes as well, but he was never a picture of healthy living. Bockwinkle and Gagne were old men. You had a wrestler die after brain surgery for removal of a tumor.

This year, you've had three major deaths.

Axl Rotten who was no surprise, he was pretty much a junkie. You had Balls Mahoney who was pretty much a junkie as well, and he also wrestled a style that was conductive to serious injury.

And you had Chyna, but her death was caused by a drug addiction that went far beyond wrestling, she was reached out to and refused to take the help and she's dead. Its sad but it should be a cautionary tail of addiction more then an indictment of the industry that she was in or the company that she was in 16 years ago.