FLIFF: AEW’s Kamille and Toni Storm part of “Queen of the Ring,” a movie on women’s wrestling pioneer Mildred Burke
Lita and Trish.
Awesome Kong and Gail Kim.
Luna Vachon and Jazz.
Bull Nakano and Aja Kong.
Sherri Martel and Madusa Miceli/Alundra Blayze.
Fabulous Moolah and Wendi Richter.
Judy Martin and Leilani Kai.
Judy Grable, Mae Young, June Byers, Penny Banner, The Wingo Sisters.
Chikara, Shimmer, Shine, GLOW.
They all played a major role in the evolution of a revolution in women’s pro wrestling, paving the way for Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks and Bayley to take it to another level.
But the pioneer, the one who started the surge in this genre of the sport, can be dated to the 1930s through the 1950s, when Mildred Burke held the NWA title for nearly 20 years.
Putting women’s pro wrestling on the map, literally and figuratively, Burke became the first female athlete in any sport to earn $1-million. She main evented shows, including a super show in Atlanta against rival June Byers.
Burke even started her own women’s wrestling promotion and trained women wrestlers, like Rhonda Sing and Moolah, who later had her own run with the NWA belt, spanning 28 years.
Burke’s journey is fascinating with plenty of highs and lows. It’s a tale with drama, emotion and perseverance, coupled with in the ring rivalries, out the ring battles, shoot fights and more. A strong single mom, she survived and thrived, creating a platform which broke stereotypes and color barriers.
At the 39th Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, organizers decided to drop kick off the week-long event on Nov. 8, 2024 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in South Florida with a red carpet party, which included a screening of the movie “Queen of the Ring,” the Mildred Burke story.
In their film debuts, Kamille (Kailey Latimer) portrays Burke’s rival June Byers, and Timeless Toni Storm (Toni Rossall) plays Burke’s earlier rival Clara Mortensen.
Timeless Toni Storm and I talk “Queen of the Ring”.
Kamille and Storm are talented pro wrestlers, currently competing for All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
Burke is played by actress Emily Brett Rickards (“Arrow”, “The Flash”, “Legends of Tomorrow”, “Supergirl”).
Emily Brett Rickards and I talk “Queen of the Ring”.
Burke started the legacy of women’s wrestling in the NWA, the oldest pro wrestling promotion. Ironically, when they movie was being made, Kamille was NWA champ for Billy Corgan’s version of the NWA, which continues to conduct pro wrestling shows in America, featuring women and men.
Kamille and I talk “Queen of the Ring”.
Burke, a top headliner, introduced women’s pro wrestling to several countries, including Canada, Cuba, Mexico, and parts of the Orient: Japan, Hong Kong, Macao, and the Philippines. Also, to almost every state of the United States.
In the movie, AEW star Britt Baker, D.M.D, is credited as Debbie Nichols, and OVW/TNA Wrestling referee Daniel Spencer is involved in the project, too. Francesca Eastwood played the role of WWE Hall of Famer Mae Young.
WWE’s Naomi is Ethel Johnson, one of three sisters (The Wingo Sisters) to desegregate professional wrestling in the 1950s, signing with the pioneering women’s pro wrestling promoter Billy Wolfe. A fan favorite, she became the first African-American women’s champion.
Kim Goodwin Martin, daughter of Marva Scott and niece of Babs Wingo & Ethel Johnson, attended the screening during opening night of FLIFF. Her mom and aunts were the first African Americans to break the color barrier in women’s pro wrestling, which is noted in the film. Martin and I talk “Queen of the Ring” and her family’s legacy.
Wolfe trained and married Burke, but his infidelities with other female wrestlers cost them their personal relationship. They tried to continue a business partnership, but it was very rocky.
Pro wrestling legend Jim Cornette is in the flick as NWA commissioner. OVW’s Al Snow and Doug Basham of the Al Snow Wrestling Academy in Louisville, Kentucky led the pro wrestling training, assisting fight/stunt coordinator Jett Jansen.
The legendary Jim Ross, a current AEW commentator, is an executive producer of the movie.
Josh Lucas (“Glory Road,” “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Yellowstone”) portrays pro wrestler and women’s pro wrestling promoter Billy Wolfe. Martin Kove (“Karate Kid” Cobra Kai leader John Kreese) is boxing and wrestling promoter Al Haft, who is one of founding fathers of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).
Gavin Casalegno (“Noah,” “The Vampire Diaries”) is Burke’s son Joe Jr. in the flick.
Jack Goggins plays Jack Pfefer, who pioneered an earlier form of sports entertainment, as he was one of the first promoters to visualize the pro wrestling business in the mold of theater.
The film was written and directed by Ash Avildsen, and Aimee Schoof is the producer. Avildsen also has a small role in the movie as Vince McMahon Sr.
The movie is inspired by the 2010 book “The Queen of the Ring: Sex, Muscles, Diamonds, and the Making of an American Legend” by Jeff Leen as well as Burke’s own manuscripts.
Following the movie screening at the FLIFF, some of the cast and crew spoke to the large gathering.
Before the “Queen of the Ring” movie screening and during the FLIFF red carpet walk at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, long-time indie pro wrestling company Coastal Championship Wrestling provided mat action to get attendees in the mood. Local rock band Plumb performed inside near the ring with a few orchestra members performing outside. What an eclectic mix.
WWE alum Headbnager Mosh, a South Florida resident, walked the red carpet for photographers and interviewers, giving insight on the sport.
Other guests on the red carpet included actor/comedian Ray Romano (“Everybody Loves Raymond”), whose twin sons Greg & Matt directed a movie “Romano Twins” viewed at FLIFF; famed costume designer Bob Mackie (“The Carol Burnett Show”, “Barbie”, Cher, Pink), whose film ““Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion” was seen at FLIFF; actor Joe Cortese (“Green Book”, “American History X”) of the film “Here’s Yianni!” at FLIFF; and actor John Savage (“The Deer Hunter”, “The Onion Field”, “Hair”) of “Beyond The Rush” at FLIFF.
Web: https://www.queenofthering.movie/
Instangram: https://www.instagram.com/queenofthering/
Established in 1986, the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) reels out more than 150 American indie and international films, during the annual film festival each November.
During the festival, celebrity and filmmaker guests from around the world create an aura of excitement as they arrive at their red carpet premieres, attend over-the-top parties, and greet movie-goers.
Web: https://fliff.com/
Kamille and Timeless Toni Storm are integral parts of the AEW roster.
You can see them on AEW’s signature TV show “AEW Dynamite” at 8 p.m. Wednesdays on TBS.
“AEW Rampage” at 10 p.m. Fridays on TNT.
“AEW Collision” at 8 p.m. Saturdays on TNT.
This story was originally published November 14, 2024 at 5:22 PM.
