There’s more to pro wrestling than pageantry. 

Even in its indie roots, professional wrestling can be a place where stories are told and boundaries are broken. For instance, in the new biopic, Queen of the Ring, we hear the true story of Burke (Emily Bett Rickards), the legendary professional wrestler who made history. In the heat of the 1930s, Queen of the Ring is set at a time when women’s wrestling was illegal but Burke never stepped back from a challenge. Defying the odds, Mildred balanced her life as a single mother and a career on the road to become the first million-dollar female athlete in history – and pro wrestling’s longest reigning champion.

Written and directed by Ash Avildsen, Queen may be set in the early-to-mid 20th Century but its script has a modern fury. Rather than merely focus on her in-ring work, Avildsen’s screenplay emphasizes the importance of her journey to women of today. Although the film uses warm hues to give it a nostalgic tone, there’s nothing old-fashioned about Mildred. In a world of male toxicity, she’s shown here to be assertive, self-reliant and fierce. 

Admittedly though, the true winner here is Rickards. As Mildred, Rickards offers a career best performance, both in the ring and outside of it. There’s simply a fire in her eyes that demands attention. She gives Mildred a conviction in her soul that rarely shows weakness. Whether she’s negotiating with men or throwing people around the ring, Rickards leaves it all on the mat. In a very physical role, Rickards was required to significantly muscle-up and shows some solid skills between the ropes. (And she’d have to. After all, many of the women who were brought in as her in-ring competitors are actual champions from both AEW and WWE.) 

Even so, Mildred wasn’t merely Queen of the Ring because of her physical power. She took that crown because of the strength of her character.

In fact, what may most interesting about Queen is how much time it spends with her out of the Ring. Although the film demonstrated the dominance that Burke had when between the ropes, it highlights the battles she fought on the ground. As the first woman pro wrestler to become a ‘household name’, Burke’s biggest fight was for respect. Whether it’s from the male-dominated industry that sought to keep her down or her toxic marriage that tried to keep her silent, Burke is shown here to be a formidable opponent to anyone who failed to take her seriously. 

There’s simply something about Burke that feels progressive. As she mentors the next generation of young women, she sets a standard for them to follow. In doing so, she helped build a generation of stars that would change the industry forever. For example, she recognizes the value of her work and refuses to accept anything less than what she deserves. What’s more, she understands that sexuality is part of the show but refuses to cheapen herself in order to advance her career in a male-dominated business world. (“You prove what you’re worth in the ring, not the bedroom,” we’re told.) 

Of course, her willingness to stand up for herself is best shown in her on-again, off-again relationship with promoter Billy Wolfe (Josh Lucas). Although their marriage began out of love, it’s de-evolution into a business arrangement is reveal’s Mildred’s courage. Moments where Lucas and Rickards face off against one another often sparkle with furious tension. But any time that Billy tries to leverage Mildred’s success, she refuses to step back. 

“It’s not that type of marriage,” she growls.

But that’s the spirit of Queen of the Ring. Even though the film is set in the world of pro wrestling, we know that Mildred’s actions cause a ripple effect. In essence, this is a film that wants us to care as much about Mildred’s impact on the world as we do about her. As a result, even if you aren’t a fan of pro wrestling, one can’t deny that Queen of the Ring reigns supreme.

Queen of the Ring is available in theatres in Toronto on Friday, April 18th, 2025