Entertainment

CHYNA WILL FIGHT NO MORE – WWF STAR QUITS THE RING TO TAKE ON A TV CAREER

CHYNA, the WWF superstar, has officially left pro-wrestling for a career in acting.

The World Wrestling Federation champion – whose real name is Joanie Laurer – is in talks to star in a made-for-TV movie for Fox about a guidance counselor who works in an inner city school, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Laurer also has been signed to guest star in the upcoming syndicated action-hour “Tracker” opposite Adrian Paul (“Highlander”).

The muscle-bound minx, who can no longer go by the name Chyna, has been making the network and studio rounds during the last few weeks looking to score a development deal and drum up prospects for guest shots or recurring roles on existing series.

Laurer dumped the WWF in late June after she and the Vince McMahon-helmed organization could not agree on a new contract.

Her current agreement expires at the end of November, but there are no plans for Laurer to return to the ring, a WWF rep said.

“Her contract was up for renewal, both sides were talking and trying to figure out what would make the most sense,” said WWF spokesman Gary Davis.

“And at the end of the day everyone agreed that it was probably best for her to go ahead and pursue other interests now,” he said.

In late June, the usually boisterous WWF downplayed Laurer’s exit in a short statement buried as an item in an Internet column written by WWF exec Jim Ross.

“The Federation has ceased contract negotiations with Chyna, and they will not resume. Chyna’s contract expires on Nov. 30, and we wish her continued success,” Ross wrote. “Her contributions to the Federation will be long remembered and are much appreciated.”

Laurer’s final match was on May 20 in a WWF pay-per-view special called “Judgment Day.”

At the time neither Laurer or WWF knew it would be her final appearance.

Laurer’s departure from the WWF comes at a time when she is peaking in popularity.

Besides her countless appearances on WWF programming, just last November she appeared nude in a steamy Playboy magazine pictorial.

She’s also been seen in a well-received MTV special, “So You Want to be a Pro-Wrestler,” episodes of “3rd Rock From the Sun,” “Pacific Blue” and a movie slated for 2002 called “Frank McKlusky C.I.” that stars Kevin Pollak, Randy Quaid and Dolly Parton.

Leaving the wrestling world could turn out to be a risky proposition for Laurer.

More than two years ago sexy WWF star Rena Mero, a.k.a. Sable, also posed for Playboy and then left the WWF after suing for sexual harassment.

Afterwards, Mero appeared on talk shows, the cover of TV Guide and in a handful of low-rated syndicated and cable shows such as “Relic Hunter” and SCIFI’s “First Wave.”

The appearences were pretty much panned by critics and Mero’s disappeared off the radar ever since.