The Queen of the Ring film is officially in theaters as of today, March 7. The biopic of Mildred Burke is already receiving praise from critics and viewers alike. What this movie details beyond Burke herself is the struggle for Black women int the wrestling industry during Burke’s time. Women’s wrestling was actually illegal through a lot of the United States, so it made it extra hard for Black women.
The movie has a focus on three pioneers, Marva Scott, Babs Wingo, and Ethel Johnson (played by WWE’s Naomi). Naomi spoke with Variety on the opportunity she received and highly praised this role.
“When I saw the audition opportunity come across, I was blown away, because these types of auditions and opportunities for me, in my situation, are once in a lifetime,” Naomi tells Variety.
“The fact that I even get to play her is crazy. She debuted around 16 years old, and she was the first African American Women’s Champion. She not only had the struggle of being a female wrestler when all-female wrestling was illegal period, but she also had to deal with being black, and that layer of segregation.”
Naomi continues talking on the significance of this role, “I can’t even wrap my mind around what it would have been like to be in her time. To find whatever that was inside her to say ‘I’m gonna continue to do this even though it’s hard, even though we’re getting things thrown at us, getting death threats. We can’t drive to the shows without cops pulling us over and wanting to kill or harass us or put us in jail.’ It’s mind-blowing to me what they experienced.”
For the full interview with Variety you can click the link below.
