Brutus Beefcake allegedly dated Chyna before she became one of the biggest female stars in WWE history, according to a new claim from his former wife, Barbie Beefcake.
While speaking to Monte & The Pharaoh, Barbie opened up about how she first met Brutus, whose real name is Ed Leslie. She said he was seeing several women at the time, but claimed one of them was Joanie Laurer, years before wrestling fans knew her as Chyna. Barbie dropped the claim while explaining what Brutus’ personal life looked like when they first crossed paths.
“He was dating when I first met him. He was probably dating a lot of women before, during and after, but he was with Chyna when I met him.”
The hosts immediately stopped Barbie and asked whether she was seriously talking about Chyna before her WWE career. Barbie doubled down and claimed Laurer was working as a stripper at the time.
“She was nobody at that time. She was just breaking into the business. In fact, she was a stripper.”
Barbie was then asked directly whether Chyna was a stripper when she was involved with Brutus. She insisted the story was true and claimed she had personally seen photographs of them together.
“Yes, and that’s the truth. He has pictures of him and her. Trust me, I know. I’ve seen them.”
According to Barbie, this was well before Chyna joined WWE, became a founding member of D-Generation X and turned herself into one of the most recognizable women in professional wrestling. Barbie also described what Chyna looked like at the time, saying she had short hair, a muscular build and had not yet developed the presentation fans would later recognize on television.
“She was a little rough around the edges. She was big—she was always very fit, almost too fit—and I didn’t see the feminine piece of that. She was very big and dressed sort of provocatively.”
Barbie claimed she remembered Linda Hogan talking about Joanie before she ever became known as Chyna. She also recalled seeing her dressed in a way that reflected her work at the time.
“I remember one time, when I was first dating Eddie, Linda saying, ‘Thank God I got rid of Chyna’—or Joanie. I don’t think she was even going by Chyna at that time.”
“Joanie came to Disney World with us one time dressed probably more stripper-ish. Again, God rest her soul, no ill will.”
Barbie believes Brutus and Chyna allegedly dated in secret because Laurer had not yet entered the wrestling business. She said the relationship was either ending when she met Brutus or was never serious because he was not looking to settle down.
“I think it was a bit of a secret that those two were dating because she wasn’t into wrestling. She wasn’t a wrestler. She was a stripper, period.”
“I think they were in the middle of breaking up, or he wasn’t really a commitment guy then. Again, probably never was, but I thought I was the one—maybe for a little bit.”
Barbie made it clear she was talking about a version of Chyna that existed long before Triple H, D-Generation X and WWE fame entered the picture.
“There she is with Triple H, but this was way before that. She had very short hair. Very short.”
Neither Brutus Beefcake nor Chyna publicly confirmed this alleged relationship, but Barbie claims the photographs existed and that she saw them herself. Her story adds another wild chapter to Chyna’s life before she became the Ninth Wonder of the World.
What do you make of Barbie Beefcake’s claim that Brutus Beefcake allegedly dated Chyna before her WWE career? Let us know what you think and leave your feedback in the comments.
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