Ash Avildsen, son of 'Rocky' director John G. Avildsen, helms 'Queen of the Ring,' an overly earnest biopic about trailblazing wrestler Mildred Burke.

Josh Lucas, Francesca Eastwood and Deborah Ann Wohl co-star in an arch and inspiring film about athlete Mildred Burke.

The actor and writer/director tell the story of the first million dollar female athlete in history. Emily Bett Rickards and Ash Avildsen on Bringing Wrestling Pioneer Mildred Burke to Life in Queen of

However, before any of these names made their mark, there was Mildred Burke, a female wrestler who rose up in the 1930s and took over wrestling. Mildred Burke combined muscles and strength with beauty and femininity.

The same can’t be said about the big screen. With scattered exceptions – “ . . . All the Marbles” (1981), “Fighting with My Family” (2019), “Racket Girls” (1951), and “Below the Belt” (1980), which features an extended cameo by then-retired wrestler Mildred Burke as a trainer — there’s generally been a dearth of films featuring women wrestlers.

Queen of the Ring uses the story of Mildred Burke to expertly explore women's pro wrestling in a time when they weren't allowed in the sport.