Ladies and gentlemen, wrestling fans and movie buffs alike, get ready to mark your calendars! The long-awaited biopic Queen of the Ring, chronicling the life of women’s wrestling trailblazer Mildred Burke, has finally dropped its first trailer. Premiering to rave reviews at the Newport Beach Film Festival in October, the film is now set to hit theaters on March 7, 2024. And trust me, this trailer is bringing the heat, both in and out of the ring.
Waitress Turned Wrestling Icon
The trailer introduces us to Burke, played by Arrow star Emily Bett Rickards, starting her journey as a waitress before stepping into the squared circle. From gritty diner scenes to thrilling in-ring moments, the film promises to showcase Burke’s rise to fame and her battles—physical, personal, and professional.
And the drama doesn’t stop there! Burke’s tumultuous marriage to promoter Billy Wolfe (portrayed by Josh Lucas) and her clashes with the larger-than-life promoter Jack Pfefer (Walton Goggins) take center stage. Expect power slams and emotional gut-punches in equal measure.
Wrestling Stars Shine in Hollywood
Wrestling fans will be thrilled to see some familiar faces lending their talents to this project. AEW stars Kamille and Toni Storm lace up their boots as June Byers and Clara Mortensen, while Britt Baker portrays Debbie Nichols. WWE’s Trinity Fatu (formerly Naomi) steps into the role of Ethel Johnson, though eagle-eyed viewers noted her absence in the trailer.
What fans did catch was footage of Storm and Kamille battling Rickards in the ring, bringing authenticity and high-energy action to the screen. Wrestling choreography? On point.
The Road to March 7
While the trailer leaves us pumped, the release details remain a bit murky. Will this cinematic grapplefest debut nationwide, or only in select cities? Either way, the hype train is leaving the station, and it’s carrying a whole lot of headlocks and history.