Lady Wrestler: The Story Behind the Story

Notorious wrestling promoter Billy Wolfe is a central figure in the new documentary "Lady Wrestler: The Amazing, Untold Story of African-American Women in the Ring," now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

Wolfe is credited with elevating women's wrestling from its humble beginnings in circus sideshows in the early 20th century and making it a mainstream international attraction. Wolfe groomed first wife Mildred Burke into a world champion and together they ushered in the Golden Age of Women's Wrestling from the 1930s through the 1950s.

But with his reputation for shady business practices and womanizing, the question remains as to whether Wolfe empowered women or exploited them. 

Weighing in are "Lady Wrestler" director Chris Bournea and Fabulous Ladies of Wrestling Facebook page founder Chris Bergstrom. 

 

In this episode, Chris Bournea, director of the documentary "Lady Wrestler: The Amazing, Untold Story of African-American Women in the Ring," shares the wild, crazy experience of interviewing childhood idol "Rowdy" Roddy Piper for the movie. Chris also speaks with wrestling advocate and archivist Chris Bergstrom, who operates the Facebook page Fabulous Ladies of Wrestling.

Be sure to catch the "Lady Wrestler" documentary on Amazon Prime Video and leave a rating and review so that people around the world can find out about these courageous, history-making Black women.

In this episode, Chris Bournea, director of the documentary "Lady Wrestler: The Amazing, Untold Story of African-American Women in the Ring," explores why wrestling is perhaps the only sport in which women are the main attraction but men make up most of the fanbase. Offering insight are John Orlando, host of the PVDcast podcast; Nick Alexander, co-host of the 10 Bell Pod podcast;  and filmmaker Antonio Hernandez, director of the "#SOUTHSIDESUPLEX" documentary about African-American wrestling star Trish Adora.

The full-length "Lady Wrestler" documentary, which chronicles courageous Black women who broke racial and gender boundaries in pro wrestling in the 1950s and '60s, is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video. For more information, visit the Lady Wrestler Amazon Prime Video page or LadyWrestlerMovie.com. 

Lady Wrestler: The Story Behind the Story gives listeners an exclusive peek into the documentary "Lady Wrestler," which chronicles trailblazing Black female wrestlers from the 1950s and '60s. The movie debuts February 16 on Amazon Prime Video during Black History Month. For more information, visit http://www.ladywrestlermovie.com 

Lady Wrestler: The Story Behind the Story gives listeners an exclusive peek into the documentary "Lady Wrestler," which chronicles trailblazing Black female wrestlers from the 1950s and '60s.  In this episode, Valerie Hawes, daughter of the late wrestling legend Lula Mae Provo, offers insight into why the history of  African-American female wrestling superstars has been lost - until now. 

The "Lady Wrestler" documentary debuts February 16 on Amazon Prime Video during Black History Month. For more information, visit http://www.ladywrestlermovie.com