EXCLUSIVE: Former WWE wrestler Chyna’s brain to be donated to science, will be examined for signs of CTE

A plan is underway to turn Chyna's brain over to the doctor played by Will Smith in "Concussion," the wrestler’s manager and best friend told the Daily News Friday.

"We want to donate her brain. We want to know what made Chyna tick," manager Anthony Anzaldo said.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

He said lawyers reached out to him long before Chyna's death Wednesday to test her interest in joining a brain injury lawsuit against the WWE. They didn't want any part in litigation but were intrigued by the science, he said.

"When she died, they called me again and asked, 'Can we have her brain,'" Anzaldo told The News. "My hope is that we can do it. I'm in the process of getting the permission to speak on behalf of family to tell the coroner it's okay to release it."                                                                                                                                         He identified the doctor involved as Dr. Bennet Omalu, the famed forensic pathologist who discovered chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) by examining professional football players.

The true story of Dr. Omalu's fight to make the NFL recognize CTE was brought to the big screen by Smith last year.                                                                                        I've been told (Dr. Omalu) is calling the medical examiner to let them know the plan, so they'll be cautious with her brain," Anzaldo said Friday.

"We're not interested in the lawsuit at all," Anzaldo said. "We're just looking for (the researchers) to give us everything they can get."                                                                                                                                                                                          

A call to Dr. Omalu's California office was not immediately returned Friday.

Anzaldo said Chyna didn't discuss suffering concussions during her time with the WWE, but she endured physical injuries and is an interesting candidate for other reasons too, including her history with domestic violence, he said.

The pioneering pro-wrestler, born Joan Laurer, was exploring deep emotional issues in a documentary titled "The Reconstruction of Chyna" that was still in production when she was found lifeless inside her Redondo Beach apartment at age 45, Anzaldo said.

It was Anzaldo who actually found her, and he said the cameras were rolling when he walked in to check on his close friend and client, unaware that a tragedy had unfolded.

"Me walking in was shot. I would never show me finding her, but you might hear me," he revealed to The News.

He said Chyna was passionate about the documentary and wanted it to be truthful and raw for her loyal fans — so he's comfortable with a decision to continue filming during the investigation of her death.

"She would not have had it any other way," he said, adding that the film is still scheduled for release next year.

"Now we'll hopefully show the brain getting examined and what the doctor has to say about that. It will be done in a respectful way," he said. "She gave us the content she gave us … It's all for her fans."

Anzaldo said he found Chyna in her bed with two prescription bottles in the room — one for Ambien and one for an anti-anxiety medication similar to Xanax.

"There was nothing illegal. No alcohol. It was just those two prescriptions she was legally taking," he told The News. "I saw no indication of foul play, no vomit, no blood. She was just lying there peacefully. Of course she's had issues and posted things (online), but I just don't think it was intentional."

He's now waiting to hear what the coroner finds from toxicology testing, he said.

"My only solace is that she obviously died in her sleep with no pain. She was alive one second and dead the next. It doesn't look like there was a struggle for air," he told The News.