Emily Bett Rickards plays the title role in “Queen of the Ring,” based on the true story of Mildred Burke, the pioneering wrestler who began her “not fixed, scripted” fights when women were still banned from wrestling in every state. She became a world champion and the first woman athlete to earn $1 million.

Mildred Burke put women’s wrestling on the map and became the first woman athlete to make a million. Yet she’s virtually unknown. With “Queen of the Ring,” a warts and all biopic in theaters

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.

Emily Bett Rickards stars as women's wrestling pioneer Mildred Burke in the sports drama "Queen of the Ring," also starring Josh Lucas.