If They Only Knew

The story of Chyna – wrestling’s first-ever female intercontinental champion – who showed tremendous personal and physical courage to overcome childhood abuse, and prejudice in later life to establish herself as the First Lady of WWF.

Following in the tradition of the huge bestsellers, Mankind and The Rock Says… comes the emotionally charged and inspiring true story of Chyna – the first woman to infiltrate the male dominated world of professional wrestling.

As a child, Chyna was the victim of an alcoholic mother and a father who starved her. Feeling like an outsider, this straight-A student left home at 15 and took refuge in academia. Graduating from the University of Tampa after only two years, she joined the Peace Corps and travelled to Costa Rica.

But her near-obsession with weight training and success in several fitness contests, persuaded her to change direction. Hoping to find a career that would exhibit her strength, athleticism and desire to be an entertainer, she met with strong opposition, but eventually found the world of professional wrestling.

In 1995, Chyna signed up, alongside three men, for entrance into Walter “Killer” Kowalski’s wrestling school. Despite brutal competition she was the only one remaining after the first week.

Shortly after graduation, Chyna began wrestling for the PGWA where she was voted Rookie of the Year. Yet it was her WWF debut in 1997 that stunned fans everywhere when she joined Triple H in the ring with Goldust and Marlena.

Now an overwhelmingly popular wrestling superstar, Chyna was the first woman ever to compete in both the Royal Rumble and King of the Ring tournament, as well as the first-ever female Intercontinental champion.