All Time Falls From Grace - Chyna's Place

[IrishCanadian25]

As I alluded to last week in my column "Moderation Breeds Mediocrity," the tough and public lifestyle of a professional athlete / entertainer - especially a professional wrestler - takes it toll on people not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. As a result, we see some people hit their breaking points and fall apart. I'd love to see a list assembled - perhaps here - on the biggest falls from grace in the history of professional wrestling.

To frame the assembly of our list I want to use the report / press release that appeared today on Wrestlezone.com regarding the instant release of Chyna's newest adult film. An excerpt:

"This is the XXX movie that I always wanted to make for my fans and it is full-out nasty...I chose the guys in the movie and made sure that the sex is as wicked as it can be...We did scenes in a warehouse, a bar, a gym and even in my own home in the Hollywood Hills -- and I guarantee you it is hot, hot, hot...I've always been a pioneer in my life and I am thrilled with this movie. I loved every minute of it. It made me feel beautiful, sexy and very empowered. My fans know that I've been through many obstacles and I want them to know that I feel and look better than ever and I'm definitely ready for them to see me close-up...I think almost every adult can use a little porn in their lives. If they don't want to make a movie, they can benefit from watching one. And, if they don't think sex is a natural human function, they should seek help."

Chyna has continually set the bar very high for herself. She graduated from college with a 3.9 GPA; speaks fluent Spanish, French and German; served in the ROTC and the Peace Corps; has been on the covers of numerous magazines from Playboy to People and on such TV shows as "The Surreal Life: Fame Games" and "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew."

Now I am not trying to make this a referrendum on the adult film industry. I have my opinions and ideas on it, and I don't expect people to conform to how I feel nor care about my opinion on it regardless. But I think many of us can agree that it is not easy to go from 3.9 GPA / tri-lingual / Peace-corps / WWF Superstar / HHH's wife all the way down to Realty TV reject / Playboy laughing stock / porn career. It's safe to say that mistakes were made along the way.

Rumor had it that, following Chyna's 1-time appearance on TNA programming (how ironic is that now, in retrospect?), Vince and the WWE crew were tossing around ideas of a Chyna return to the WWF. As a trailblazing first woman to hold WWF Singles gold not from a female division, the hall of fame may have even been on the table! Forget that now - to quote Ray Stanz, they wouldn't touch her with a 10 meter cattle prod. (though I think some other guy does that in the film...)

Where does Chyna rank in the history of the biggest falls from grace in pro wrestling history?

Certainly she is below the top dawg in Chris Benoit. Surreal Life / porn star is easilly trumped by double murder / suicide. How does she compare to Scott Hall, a former WWF Intercontinental Champion and massive draw in WCW during the formation of the nWo whose drug and alcohol addictions have resulted in multiple stints in rehab and several embarassing appearances? Or to Jake Roberts, featured in films coked up in front of his estranged daughters only to come back as a born-again, putting over Steve Austin in the process, and subsequently relapsing? Of course, we have to mention The Ultimate Warrior.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic - who are the biggest falls from grace in pro wrestling history, and how does Chyna match up in the all time list?

 

[Rayne]

Eh. She's still in show business.

It's not that she's become a porn star that'll end her professional wrestling career; that was already done. This isn't 1997; she isn't a draw anymore. If she were younger and prettier, a few years down the line most of the audience would have forgotten about it, or hell, the right promotion would even use it to market her.

Now, she's wrestling-old. I don't even want to see that film as sort of a curiousity thing; I saw 1 Night in China, and still have recurring flashbacks. She can have one good night, but I find it hard to believe she would have been anything but a shadow of her former self. Nowadays, she can make more money for forty minutes on her back then she could for three seconds.

 

[IrishCanadian25]

Apparently the pop for Chyna in TNA was pretty solid, even if it was in front of 1,000 people instead of 20,000 or 30,000. I guess I wonder where she goes from here. She has zero prospects with the WWE now because of the PG image. They will separate from her completely. Toss away serious acting career for all intents and purposes. Has she written a book yet?