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Kyle Meredith sits down with actor Emily Bett Rickards (Arrow) and director/screenwriter Ash Avildsen (Paradise City, American Satan) to talk about their new movie Queen of the Ring. Listen above or wherever you get your podcasts.
Taking place from the 1930s to the 1950s, the movie tells the story of how professional wrestler Mildred Burke became the first million-dollar female athlete, breaking barriers in a sport where women weren’t even allowed to compete. “It’s about fighting for what you believe in,” Rickards says. “Her story deserved to be told.”
The film’s soundtrack adds to its impact, blending period-accurate songs with modern surprises, including Corey Taylor’s cover of “Dust in the Wind” and a powerful closing moment set to Florence + the Machine. “That song was too perfect not to use,” Avildsen says, describing Florence Welch’s vocals as “timeless.”
Filmed in Louisville, the production leaned on Ohio Valley Wrestling for training, making sure the in-ring action looked just as authentic as Burke’s real-life battles. The movie aims to introduce Burke to a new generation while driving home the reality of women’s ongoing fight for equality in sports.
For wrestling fans, Queen of the Ring also makes a point about Burke’s legacy: “People always ask if this is about the [prominent early female wrestler] Fabulous Moolah,” Avildsen says. “But Moolah never drew the real moolah — Millie did.”
Listen to Ash Avildsen and Emily Bett Rickards talk about Queen of the Ring and more in the new episode above or by watching the video below. Keep up on all the latest episodes by following Kyle Meredith With… on your favorite podcast platform; plus, check out all the series on the Consequence Podcast Network.
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