Chyna: If They Only Knew
Review
by : Troy
Brownfield 
Written
by : Joanie Laurer (Chyna) and Michael Angeli
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Perhaps no
WWF superstar that has come as close to receiving as much attention as The Rock in
the past six months as Chyna. She’s become a frequent talk-show guest, an awards-show
presenter, and a TV guest-star. Little kids and female fans particularly seem to love
her, and the line for her autograph at the Wizard World con last August was capped an hour-and-a-half before she even got there. And that’s all without mentioning that
little 12-page pictorial she did for Playboy last fall.
The capper
for all of that is Chyna’s new autobiography. Released in January, it’s a
collaborative effort between the Ninth Wonder of the World and journalist (Details, Rolling Stone) Michael Angeli. Although it’s somewhat brief, the duo have
crafted Chyna’s rather dysfunctional life into an involving tale. It’s a testament
to the will power of one woman who rose from horrible circumstances to a unique
station of fame.
Part of what
I enjoyed about the book are some of the colorful descriptions. I sense that this
might be the hand of seasoned writer Angeli at work in certain places, but there
are plenty of times when you can tell that the humor or expressions are vintage
Chyna (anyone who’s seen her on Leno can tell you that she’s quick-witted and
engaging).
Whereas Mick
Foley’s book was amazing for what he dealt with in the ring, Chyna’s is equally
amazing for what she went through as a kid. Her dad was a con man, her mom had
problems, and Joanie herself had to cope with some definite self-esteem issues. We
also get detailed accounts of both her first meeting with long-time boyfriend Triple
H and her historic Intercontinental Title Match with Jeff Jarrett. There are also
some guest commentaries from Triple H, Foley, and Chris Jericho.
I found
this book to be an interesting look at fame and its cost through the psychological
perspective of one unique individual. I would like to "check in" with Chyna a few
years down the road in her career to see what insights she might offer at a later
time. The book also piqued my curiousity as to what Triple H might have to say
in a book of his own.
On its own
terms, If They Only Knew provides a solid addition to that new literary
sub-genre, the wrestling biography. Frankly, I enjoyed it more than the rather
basic The Rock Says.... Chyna’s perseverance is a truly admirable quality, and she’s
earned her right to her popularity.
Troy
Brownfield is the Editor-in-Chief of Shotgun Reviews. If you’re
wondering why he reviewed this book and not regular wrestling writer Russ Ray,
it’s because Troy’s wife (and huge Chyna fan, Becky) bought it first. Email him at psikotyk@aol.com.
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