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Stars: Emily Bett Rickards, Josh Lucas, Tyler Posey
Director: Ash Avildsen
Distributor: Vertigo Releasing

“I always loved being feminine and being tough.”

Mildred Burke, one of pro wrestling’s greatest pioneers, has her story told through the championship performance of Emily Bett Rickards, under the booking of writer-director Ash Avildsen. Career heel, Josh Lucas, stars as Billy Wolfe – the infamous promoter and husband of Burker.

Queen of the Ring chronicles the progress of Burke’s wrestling career, from attending circus attractions to being the sport’s first million-dollar athlete. Her initial courage in wanting to participate in the spectacle of pro wrestling captures the eye of Billy Wolfe (Josh Lucas), who promotes his wrestling contents within the circus, with the aid of his son G. Bill (Tyler Posey). With a young son, Burke is facing a real life handicap match against earning enough money to survive as well as the difficulties of being a single parent. However, her unrivalled determination runs in parallel with the evolution of pro wrestling, especially that of the women, in the US.

Queen of the Ring has the duality of existing as a wrestling movie, but also an inspirational female-driven story. As a wrestling movie, there is an attempt at accommodating fans of varying commitment and knowledge, making aspects as easy to understand as possible for those unbeknown to the details of pro wrestling. However, diving into both the terminology and technicality of pro wrestling, Queen of the Ring is occasionally prone to a receipt of being convoluted, even to the most seasoned of pro wrestling fans.

Queen of the Ring does maintain a fun balance of pro wrestling cameos and throw-away name references. Notorious wrestling personality Jim Cornette excels in his minor role as the NWA Commissioner, whilst AEW’s Toni Storm//Toni Rossall has fun in her handful of scenes. Mae Young – infamous for Royal Rumble 2000 antics – even appears in the corner of Burker, played by Francesca Eastwood. The best of supporting performances, down in the mid-card, has to be Walton Goggins as Jack Pfefer, the wrestling promoter who pioneered the theatrics and soap opera elements in professional wrestling.

Emily Bett Rickards and Josh Lucas enable the wrestling drama to be told in the way that it is. Their performances are inclusive of infinite changes in character traits. Rickards is phenomenal in delivering an overall performance that blends the character of strong independent woman, maternal figure, and pro wrestling performer. Lucas on the other hand always excels in the heel role, whether it be in American Psycho, Le Mans 66, and now Queen of the Ring. But he too with an excellent performance is able to transition back and forth between wrestling manager, sleazeball, and slight innovator.

Ultimately, Ash Avildsen’s Queen of the Ring is a welcomed addition to the wrestling movie sub-genre, especially one from a female perspective. This film firmly balances its existence as a family drama and wrestling movie. With an exceptional roster of acting talent, Queen of the Ring has what it takes to be up there with the best.