Queen of the Ring
"Queen of the Ring" tells the remarkable true story of Mildred Burke, the first million-dollar female athlete in world history and the longest reigning champion of female wrestling.
Based on the book by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jeff Leen, the film follows 'Millie,' a young single mother from a small town who defies societal norms by becoming a female pro-wrestler at a time when the sport was illegal across most of the United States.
Despite her success throughout the 40s and 50s, Millie's journey is marked by personal struggles, including raising her son on the road, the tragic death of her wrestling protégé in the ring and a tumultuous relationship with her manager and ex-husband, Billy Wolfe.
Her story highlights triumphs such as being the first woman to headline over men, bringing women of color into the sport, and participating in the first female "shoot match" i.e. real combat without a script for a title fight.
Millie's remarkable tale shattered the limitations of what a girl could become in entertainment and sports and is an unforgettable slice of post war Americana. "Queen of the Ring" captures the golden age of female pro wrestling when one gritty, glamorous woman risked everything in her life to change culture forever.
