Queen of the Ring
Queen of the Ring
In a time when pro wrestling for women was illegal all over the United States, a small town single mother embraces the danger as she dominates a peculiar American niche entertainment industry & becomes the first millionaire female athlete.
Hipster ZOMBIE reviewedMay 17, 2025
Queen of the Ring is a heartfelt tribute that is weighed down by a sloppy script and poor editing despite having an amazing cast.
The film sets out to tell the trailblazing story of female wrestling pioneer Mildred Burke and in some ways, it succeeds. Anchored by a deeply committed cast and a hard-hitting reverence for pro wrestling history, the film captures the grit, pain, and triumph that defined Burke’s journey in a male-dominated world. Unfortunately, these strengths often wrestle against a weak script and clunky editing choices that keep the movie from reaching main-event status. At times the way the film is shot is reminiscent of the movie of the week Lifetime movies.
the cast is nothing short of phenomenal. The lead actress,Emily Bett Rickards (From CW’s Arrow) brings strength and vulnerability to Burke, portraying her with a raw physicality in the ring and an emotional depth outside it. Supporting performances are equally compelling, especially from the actors portraying wrestling legends and promoters—there’s a sense that everyone involved truly cares about this story and what it represents. The wrestling sequences are surprisingly authentic, choreographed with a mix of brutal realism and vintage flair that honors the sport’s golden era without feeling outdated. Notable active wrestlers from AEW, Toni Storm, Britt Baker, Kailey Farmer, Mickie James and Trinity Fatu from WWE, and even controversial and very outspoken legendary Jim Cornette lend their talents to add authenticity to the film. But it’s Francesca Eastwood’s performance as Mae Young that almost steals the movie.
And then there’s the soundtrack—what a knockout. A plethora of cover songs, from gritty blues renditions to soulful reinterpretations of classic rock, gives the film a sonic identity. Corey Taylor’s “Dust in the Wind” cover is beautifully haunting. Highly recommended streaming.
But for all its passion in certain areas, Queen of the Ring too often feels undermined by some weak links. The script is riddled with clunky dialogue, predictable character arcs, long exposition that drags the story of Burke’s life. What could have been a complex portrait becomes, at times, a Lifetime Channel movie. Even more frustrating is the editing, which frequently breaks immersion with jarring cuts, mismatched transitions, and odd pacing. In another more seasoned director’s hands this film had the potential to be something truly special.
There’s a great film somewhere inside Queen of the Ring one that honors a true icon of women’s wrestling with the respect she’s long deserved. But sloppy execution behind the camera keeps this tribute from claiming the championship its fighting for.