Women in pro wrestling have fought and clawed for every opportunity. Today female talent are regularly featured on shows, even the biggest ones including WrestleMania. The road for every bit of progress was paved by the blood, sweat, and tears of trailblazers like Mildred Burke. Her empowering story is told in the upcoming film Queen of the Ring.
Emily Bett Rickards, known as Arrow fan favorite Felicity Smoak, steps in the boots of tough as nails Burke, who became the first million-dollar female athlete. The biopic was built off the Pulitzer Prize winner Jeff Leen’s book tracing the gender barrier-breaking performer’s incredible journey to the top. Burke broke into the industry by wrestling men at carnivals because at the time women’s wrestling was illegal in much of the United States.
The movie takes us back to the 1930s and decades that followed where the driven lady grappler turned heads through her incredible presence and ability. Among those admirers was dastardly promoter Billy Wolfe, played by Josh Lucas. Their often tumultuous relationship unravels in the movie to the point where for Burke, Wolfe becomes a means to an end. It’s a marriage that becomes a matter of convenience rather than anything romantic. After all, Wolfe was twice the age of Burke. The two clash with their dynamic becoming increasingly volatile. Despite Wolfe’s efforts to extinguish Burke’s fire, she never forgoes her inner strength fighting for herself as a wrestler and businesswoman. Complicating things further was Wolfe, a noted womanizer, witnessing his son G. Bill (Tyler Posey) catching the eye of Burke.
More female talent come into the fold including Mae Young, who is portrayed by scene stealer Francesca Eastwood. She is so good one could argue the flick becomes a Young biopic in moments. Pro wrestling fans will enjoy seeing familiar faces including Jim Cornette as an NWA commissioner, which given his own time in the business including that promotion wasn’t a major stretch.
Other recognizable names bring some of Burke’s colleagues at the time to life like Clara Mortensen (Toni Rossall/”Timeless” Toni Storm), the first African-American Women’s Champion Ethel Johnson (Trinity Fatu/Naomi), Debbie Nichols (Britt Baker), and the imposing June Byers (Kailey Farmer/Kamille). The latter becomes the wife of G. Bill and stands as an imposing rival for Burke. When life is stranger than fiction. Heels viewers will enjoy seeing Kelli Berglund lace up the boots once again as the new girl on the block Nell Stewart. The A-list cast also brings in Walton Goggins as promoter Jack Pfefer and the legendary Martin Kove playing veteran Al Haft.
A lot of time and care was clearly put into making sure the story came off as authentic. WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross, an executive producer, fought so hard to make sure the project got off the ground and secured the rights from the book. He can stand proud and take pride in the fact the finished product isn’t just a good pro wrestling movie, but a movie in general. Channeling pure lipstick and dynamite, Rickards clearly invested a lot of time to immerse herself in this unique world and time period. Director and writer Ash Avildsen also captures the business at the time while also grounding this larger-than-life atmosphere and characters masterfully.
It may be a story about a pro wrestler, but this project transcends anything that goes on in the ring. Resonating with anyone who has worked and never given up to realize a dream. Don’t let this championship-caliber film miss you, which goes for the gold in every way while shining a light and giving deserved flowers to an often forgotten icon.
Queen of the Ring opens in theaters nationwide March 7.
