Queen of the Ring (2024)

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(ELECTRICITY ZAPPING)

(PROJECTOR WHIRRING)

()

(CROWD CHEERING)

(GROANS, GRUNTS)

(CLAMORING)

(YELLING)

REFEREE 1:

One,

two,

three,

four-- off the ropes!

-(WOMAN GRUNTS)

-(CLAMORING)

(WOMAN GRUNTS)

(GROANS)

Come on, Mom, get up.

-CROWD: Millie! Millie!

-(GRUNTS)

-Millie!

-Millie!

-Millie!

-Millie!

Millie!

-(GRUNTS)

-CROWD: Millie!

(GROANS)

-REFEREE 1: Can she continue?

Give us a g*dd*mn second.

REFEREE 1:

I'll give you 60,

then I'm calling it.

CROWD:

Millie! Millie!

-Millie!

-Millie!

TEENAGER:

Hey. Mom, Mom, look at me.

Look at me right here. Okay?

Remember when I was little,

what would you say to me?

It's all in your head. Okay?

-It's all in your head.

-It's not in my head, Joe.

It feels like death!

Okay, just shut up

and look at me, Mom!

-I can't.

-JOE: Shut up, Mom!

-I can't! I can't!

-Mom!

I'ma give you three seconds

to feel sorry for yourself.

Three seconds, you hear me, Mom?

Grab onto me. Okay?

Just count with me, okay?

One.

-One.

-JOE: Two.

Two.

(CROWD CHEERING)

()

MILLIE:

The name's Millie.

You're probably wonderin'

why that all seems so serious

when pro wrestlin' is

just scripted, isn't it?

It wasn't always like that.

It wasn't always legal, either.

In fact, it was very ill*gal

for two women

to get in the ring together

all over America.

(BILL DINGS IN BACKGROUND)

MILLIE:

But I always loved bein'

feminine and bein' tough.

They wanted us to believe

we couldn't be both,

that muscles weren't allowed

on pretty girls,

and mothers had no business

tryin' to be athletes,

especially single mothers.

-MILLIE: For me...

-Hi, Millie.

MILLIE:

...that meant

slingin' hash browns

in my single mother's diner.

I guess the apple

doesn't fall far from the tree.

MILLIE:

Hey, Ma.

BERTHA:

Yeah, baby.

How long's Marlene

been workin' here?

I don't know. Decades.

What's her sister do?

Uh, work shelves

at the five-and-dime.

Do you know any

career women, Ma?

What's the matter, baby?

You don't wanna be

a waitress no more?

(CHUCKLES)

I love you, Mama, but...

BERTHA:

I put a lot of charm

into this place.

We lucky we got jobs.

I know.

Oh, who do you think you are,

huh?

-BERTHA: Eleanor Roosevelt?

-(CHUCKLES)

Amelia Earhart?

They'll know me

by my full name.

ANNOUNCER 1:

Here we are with another

respectable matchup

on the mid-card of the day!

For those of you just

joining us,

it's Billy the Wolfe...

BERTHA:

Oh, so who you rooting for?

Oh, I don't know.

They really seem to

hate this Billy Wolfe guy.

(CROWD BOOING)

-Really seem to hate who?

-Billy Wolfe.

He filled up most

of these seats.

(GROANS)

MILLIE:

People pay to see the bad guy?

MAN 1:

Dependin' on talent, yeah.

Sometimes a heel will

draw most of the money.

A heel?

MAN 1:

A heel is what we call a bad guy

in this wrestling world.

All right, well, what do

you call the good guys?

Faces.

Like, baby faces.

Come on, kid.

Who calls them baby faces?

I swear, ma'am.

It's on account of

their good looks.

(BOTH LAUGH)

All right, well,

what do you think

about this baby face

in the ring?

He's a wet sock.

MILLIE:

Oh, he ain't so bad.

Oh! Oh!

ANNOUNCER 1:

Each have already scored

one fall in this bout,

but we'll need a third

to decide our winner.

-(GRUNTS)

-(THUD)

(CHEERING AND CLAPPING)

ANNOUNCER 1:

Neither of these men

are a stranger

to the squared circle.

Both are still

in a healthy quest to one day

end up on a headlining

position.

For now, each hope to make

an impression

on this Kansas crowd.

Hey!

That's a three count!

Wake up, Ref!

ANNOUNCER 1:

George tryin' to get the ref

back into this.

MAN 2:

Come on, Ref.

(MAN GRUNTS)

ANNOUNCER 1:

Oh! And how about that?

What a dirty maneuver

by the Wolfe!

(CLAMORING)

(BELL RINGS)

(BOOING)

Is he in on it?

ANNOUNCER 1:

That is what we call shameless

but successful, folks.

(CROWD BOOING)

ANNOUNCER 1:

Your winner,

by way of pinfall

Billy the Wolfe!

BERTHA:

The main event's in 15 minutes.

You want popcorn?

BILLY:

You pond scum!

(BOOING)

Yoo-hoo, Millie.

You want popcorn or not?

I tell you what, Mom.

This is my destiny.

Baby girl, destiny?

I'll get you some caramel corn.

(BOOING)

(SHOPKEEPER'S BELL CHIMES

AND DOOR SHUTS IN BACKGROUND)

Well, the jinx on me

Damn, take a gander

at those pegs, Junior.

Hope you get a good look.

Hmm?

Well, the jinx on me

Hey, um, sorry.

Mm-hmm.

Um, we-- we had just remarked to

one another

that you have beautiful legs.

We really hope

you can forgive us.

Hey.

(CHUCKLES)

Yeah.

Heads up, Pop.

Sir, I want you to know I'm--

I'm a big fan.

Don't-- don't worry, I'm not

gonna blow your cover here.

-I--

-Thank you, sweetheart.

Garden-style, grilled chicken,

no oil, fresh tomato,

raw onion.

-Mm-hmm.

-Dressin' on the side.

My son G. Bill here will have

the same.

Right, Junior?

Sure.

MILLIE:

Coming right up.

So, Mr. Wolfe, I do

have one question.

Two waters.

You know what?

We'll take

two iced teas as well,

but no sugar.

Okay.

Two waters, two iced teas,

got it.

(BELL DINGS IN BACKGROUND)

Can I help you with somethin',

toots?

I was wonderin'...

(APPROACHING FOOTFALLS)

What-- what's it take for you

to train me how to wrestle?

(CHUCKLES)

BILLY:

You?

Mm-hmm.

Well, you--

You ain't no bigger

than a pint of piss.

(CHUCKLES)

BILLY:

What the hell makes

you think you can wrestle?

I wanna do it more

than anythin' in the world.

I've been to the matches.

I know--

You'd get busted to bits.

You hear that?

This silly little string bean,

slingin' hash browns,

wants to be taking bumps

in the ring.

(LAUGHING)

()

MILLIE:

I promise you, my son,

our lives together

will be special.

Never ordinary.

Keep your lamp

Trimmed and burning

Keep your lamp

Trimmed and burning

Keep your lamp

Trimmed and burning

Oh, see

what the Lord has done

Sister, don't

Get worried

Sister, don't

Get worried

(BABY CRYING)

That chili's gotta cook for

a full two hours every time.

I know.

Yesterday you didn't.

It's been an hour and a half.

Keep your lamp

Trimmed and burning

Oh, see

what God has done

Brother, don't

BERTHA:

Put that burger, Marlene.

Brother, don't

MILLIE:

Order up!

Brother, don't

Another burger.

For the work is almost done

MARLENE:

Two more, please.

MAN 3:

Watch out!

Comin' right up.

(GRUNTS)

(MILLIE GROANING)

BERTHA:

Baby girl, you done chose

a wrestlin' ring

over a weddin' ring.

Seriously, Mama, you want me

to start asking

where Daddy went to?

Good. That's my girl.

Now, you go spit that

at that Billy Wolfe fella.

Don't you let him leave here

without givin' you a shot.

(THUMP)

(CROCKERY CLATTERING

IN BACKGROUND)

MILLIE:

You gotta teach me to wrestle.

You just gotta.

BILLY:

Enough.

All-girl wrestlin' is ill*gal,

and you're too small to grapple

with men.

Oh, yeah?

BILLY:

Hmm.

The match I saw with the two

of you wasn't much of a fight.

(CHUCKLES)

What do you know about that?

I know I could have done better.

Controversy creates cash,

but even if you're good,

who'd pay to see you?

Well, people with good taste.

That, too.

Don't you like shapely women

in swimsuits?

Give me one good honest shot

or I'm not makin' that

special salad of yours no more.

How do you know you have what it

takes for a life in wrestling?

Life under the lights

has no room for anything else.

MILLIE:

I've been dirt poor

and bored stiff my whole life.

I wanna entertain people.

I know I gots the talent

to do it,

so just give me

a g*dd*mn chance!

Entertain, sure,

but why wrestling?

'Cause I can't sing

and I can't dance,

but I-- I can tell a story.

Beat some a*s.

I bet a little glam

will sell more

than another hairy body slam.

That's right.

BERTHA:

Joe, come back over here.

Baby, baby, come to Grandma.

Where's your little boy's father

anyway?

(COOING)

MILLIE:

Mr. ain't gonna marry

no circus freak,

he done left me over this.

BILLY:

What's his name?

It's Joe.

BILLY:

Joe, Billy Wolfe.

That's right.

(MILLIE KISSING)

BILLY:

Silly bird won't leave me alone,

so go easy on her,

but not too easy.

(GRUNTS)

MILLIE:

I thought it'd be another woman.

BILLY:

No one would pay

to see two girls.

MAN 4:

Should've stuck

to slingin' hash.

Now you gotta come get some.

-Oh!

-(GRUNTING)

BILLY:

Oh!

(MILLIE GROANS)

BILLY:

Oh!

(BOTH GRUNT)

One, two, three, ding!

There it is!

(GROANS)

MAN 4:

Ain't a sport for girls.

I didn't lose.

That ain't how we saw it.

That's one fall.

It's best out of three.

He's gotta get two

or the match is a draw.

I know the rules.

Main event is two out of three.

You sayin' I'm an opening act?

All right, I guess

this is the only match.

That's right.

()

(THUD)

MILLIE:

Uh, yeah.

First time touchin' a girl?

day I lose to you is the day

I stop gettin' in the ring.

(INDISTINCT SPEECH)

(YELLS)

(THUD)

(GROANS)

MAN 4:

Hold on a minute, Billy.

I got this.

MILLIE:

Your tickets go on sale

for that retirement match.

Huh?

(GRUNTING, GROANING)

(THUDDING)

MAN 4:

I submit!

Huh, yeah?

I submit!

(GROANS)

I'm gonna need a minute, Billy.

I can't extend my arm right.

Matches have time limits, too.

Gypsy Joe, are you in on this?

GYPSY JOE:

No, sir.

No, sir.

What else you got

in here, Billy Wolfe?

Huh?

You have dinner plans?

(CHUCKLES)

BILLY:

I've seen a lot of

lady wrestling tried in my days,

but I ain't ever seen

any of them work the ring

like you just did.

(CHUCKLES)

Now, this business, it's all

about the story

of good versus evil.

Heels and baby faces.

Yeah.

And your small stature

and wholesome look

really sets you apart.

Now, this ain't baseball

or hockey.

Athleticism's got nothin'

on a million-dollar look

in wrestling.

And, toots, you got both,

in spades,

which makes you very special.

Well, I reckon that might be

the best thing a man's ever said

to me in my whole life.

(BOTH CHUCKLE)

Close to you

I want to be close to you

Whenever--

-BERTHA: Oh, Mildred.

-MILLIE: Mm-hmm.

-Good evening.

-Ma'am.

-Night.

-Good night. Good night.

Mr. Wolfe...

I really appreciate you

believin' in my daughter.

I didn't think any of

this could be possible.

Oh, well, I second your

opinion on that, ma'am.

In all my years,

your sweet daughter's

the most dazzlin' I ever met.

You're a big city slicker.

You remember now,

she's a small-town girl.

A good girl.

Get my meaning?

Yes, ma'am.

Good night.

Good night.

()

Because they are

the basis of a bump.

(THUD)

(LAUGHS)

(GRUNTS)

(BOTH YELL)

Yeah!

(LAUGHS)

(INDISTINCT SPEECH)

There you go.

-(GRUNTS)

-(THUD)

()

(THUD)

(THUD)

(WEIGHTS RATTLING)

(BIKE WHIRRING)

(PULLEY SQUEAKING)

Don't stop till I come back.

(PULLEYS RATTLING)

You stopped?

Don't stop.

(GRUNTS)

BILLY:

Wanna draw money,

you gotta put on a show.

Nobody's gonna feel sorry

for you.

(PANTS)

BILLY:

Matches last 60 minutes.

Cardio is your best friend.

I miss cake.

BILLY:

Ladies and gentlemen.

Ladies and gentlemen,

step right this way!

Step right this way,

but don't hurry!

I don't want you

to hurt yourself.

I'm Billy Wolfe,

and I'm here

to present this fearless woman

who is here to entertain you.

That's right, for $25.

25 silver, real dollars

for anybody who can beat

this lovely lady, Mildred Bliss!

Pin or submission, $25!

She wrestle men and women?

Well, sir, she wrestles men,

women,

and everything in between.

You two gentlemen

care to gander?

All right, I'll give it a shot.

I'm sorry, sir,

but you need to be within

25 pounds of her weight.

Toothpick, you go for it, man.

Oh, I'm not doin' it, Jimbo

until you go first.

I got 50c right here

for the both of us, mister.

BILLY:

Fine,

but the straw weight's

gotta go first.

That's the only deal

I'll give you.

TOOTHPICK:

I'm in.

All right.

(PATTING)

BILLY:

Good luck to you.

What's the script?

Until they're working with us,

there ain't no script.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER

IN BACKGROUND)

(THUD)

(GROANS)

(MILLIE YELLS)

MILLIE:

Come!

-(MILLIE YELLS)

-(GRUNTS)

(THUD)

(CROWD CHEERING AND CLAPPING)

MAN 5:

Come on now!

(YELLS)

(CROWD MEMBERS LAUGH)

(CHEERING AND CLAPPING)

MAN 6:

Yeah (INDISTINCT SPEECH)

good job, Millie!

(CROWD CHEERING AND CLAPPING)

(GIGGLES)

(CHEERING AND CLAPPING)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER

IN BACKGROUND)

(GRUNTING)

(LAUGHS)

(MILLIE YELLING)

CROWD:

Oh!

(MILLIE GROANING)

Bliss?

(SCREAMS)

(THUD)

(BOOING)

WOMAN 1:

What a grouch!

A woman ain't got no business

in the ring with a man!

(MILLIE GROANING)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER

IN BACKGROUND)

CROWD:

Oh!

(BANGING)

(GROANS)

(THUD)

(CHEERING AND CLAPPING)

Pull him back.

Pull him back

and put him

in the alligator clutch.

MILLIE:

Come here!

BILLY:

Put him in the alligator clutch!

MILLIE:

Come here!

(BOTH YELL)

A woman ain't got no business

where?

The alligator clutch, boy!

You feel it?

(CHEERING AND CLAPPING)

(BANGING)

I submit! I submit!

(JIMBO GROANS)

(CHEERING AND CLAPPING)

BILLY:

I got that, I got that,

I've got it!

Ladies and gentlemen,

I give you the Kansas Cyclone,

Mildred Burke!

I'm liking the Kansas Cyclone,

but my name's Bliss.

What's with Burke?

We needed a tougher name.

You know the saying,

ignorance is bliss.

You ain't ignorant, is ya?

Not a chance.

(CHUCKLES)

Billy:

Mildred Burke, everyone!

The Kansas Cyclone!

(CHEERING AND CLAPPING)

BILLY:

You were a showstopper

out there today.

Oh, the way you played off

that audience.

Oh.

MILLIE:

Gotta give them

their money's worth.

You see, these games, magicians,

they manipulate objects in order

to captivate an audience.

Wrestlers do the same thing,

but with emotions.

MILLIE:

Mm-hmm.

And, baby, you got it.

That is why I chose wrestlin'.

Oh, I think I am dizzy

with a dame.

Oh, yeah, who's the lucky lady?

Mildred, I've been

deep thinkin'.

Mm-hmm.

And I think you

and I should be partners.

Oh, I think so, too.

Whole lot of opportunity

out there for us!

We should get

some new ring attire.

We can go from the carnivals

to the arenas together.

We could go coast to coast!

No, no, no, honey, I--

I'm not just talkin'

about business partners.

I...

(SIGHS)

I want you to be my wife.

Oh, come on now, Billy. Don't...

Don't you start teasing me

with an angle.

I have a baby boy to look after.

No, I'm not fooling you, Toots.

MILLIE:

Now, shush, Mr. Wolfe. I...

I don't have time for games!

This isn't a game.

I wanna do everything with you.

Wrestlin', romance,

raisin' that

beautiful little boy of yours.

I mean, what more

could a girl ask for?

MILLIE:

I still don't believe you.

Well, I put you in the ring,

didn't I?

BERTHA:

You have lost your marbles!

Ugh!

You barely know this man!

He-- he's twice your age!

He's the only man that's

ever believed in my dreams!

You absolutely cannot

take a blind leap of faith

into a marriage!

Okay, okay, fine!

Fianc sounds way more fun

than husband anyway.

Still, you need time.

But before you make a--

We'll be livin' with each

other on the road,

Workin' the carnivals.

I mean, months is

gonna feel like years!

You're goin' on tour

as a carnie?

I'm wrestlin' men

all over America.

Who-- who's gonna help me

run the diner?

Good God!

You sell the diner, okay?

Keep all the money.

-(KISSES)

-What?

Wait, and live here alone?

What about the baby?

Joe's coming with me!

On the road!

Right?

Joe baby.

God moves

Moves

God moves

And the people had to run

and pray

BILLY:

Who will be brave enough

to battle

the lady grappler Mildred Burke

in a no-hold barred match?

$25 to anyone who can beat

the lady grappler,

the Kansas Cyclone,

Mildred Burke!

Mighty woman,

mighty man

Livin' in a world

they don't understand

Come together,

it's the only way

I'm reachin' out,

you gotta take my hand

God moves

Moves

God moves

And the people had to run

and pray

God moves

God moves

And the people have to run

and pray

Billy, I-- I appreciate

your girls are drawin' you money

in the carnivals, I really do.

But the NWA is mainstream,

and we gotta be

a little more respectable.

I don't know

when it's gonna happen,

but it ain't gonna be

anytime soon

for your girl wrestlers.

With all due respect,

Commissioner,

they're called lady wrestlers.

Lady wrestlers.

()

MAN 7:

Billy Wolfe!

I've got your next big star.

This girl right here

graduated MVP

on the national

women's football team.

We don't play with ba*ls.

Oh, good,

because neither does she.

I fight boys.

I'll kiss a girl if

you want me to.

-You a l*sbian?

-I'm an a*s-kicker.

She's an a*s-kicker.

Yeah, well,

if you are a l*sbian,

it's gonna be hard

to make you champion.

Well, she doesn't need

to be a champion.

All she has to do is headline

on that marquee

goin' against your champ

to make sure that

your main event draws money.

You even got a belt for women?

What's your name, toots?

-Uh, Mae Young.

-Mae Young.

-Mae--

-Mae-- Mae Young?

MAE:

Mae Young.

Yeah. That's a good name.

You give it to her?

My mama gave it to me

'cause I was born a star.

Come on, Jack.

Who am I riding with?

Hold on a damn minute.

Are you Jack Pfefer,

the Mid-Atlantic tycoon?

The one and only.

Uh, Billy Wolfe.

It's a great honor, sir.

Well, I appreciate

the compliment.

Now, the only reason that I'm

givin' this little spitfire away

is New Jersey laws keepin' her

from fightin' in the ring.

Well, that is a travesty.

And I'm really curious to see

what Billy the Wolfe

can do with her.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER

IN BACKGROUND)

G. BILL: (SIGHS)

What a day, Mil.

-MAN 8: Here you go.

-Thank you.

Gosh, G. Bill, I guess it's

really startin' to happen.

Yeah, and why wouldn't it?

You know, just wait till Pop

starts scriptin' our own matches

-with our own squad.

-MILLIE: Yes!

Magic.

G. Bill, Millie,

this is Mae Young.

She's the heel we've

been waiting for.

Well, ain't you a bad, bad one.

I'll sell your moves all night.

All right.

G. BILL:

Best night of tour.

Well, that's how we do it, son.

Now get Miss Mae

situated with the stable.

Show her the ropes.

Where'd you come from?

Oklahoma.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER

IN BACKGROUND)

(CROWD CHEERING AND APPLAUDING)

WOMAN 2:

Excuse me, Mr. Promoter.

I wanna join

your carnival league.

Why don't you just stay

home here

and keep it safe and simple?

(SIGHS)

There's nothin'

for me in this town.

I'll prove my worth.

(CROWD CHEERING AND APPLAUDING

IN BACKGROUND)

I don't wanna sell the tickets.

I wanna be on the ticket.

The name's Elvira Snodgrass.

(CHUCKLES)

Your name is Elvira Snodgrass.

What, you got a better one

in mind?

No, I can work with that.

Uh, let me...

Let me show you a few things,

see how you move.

-ELVIRA: Really?

-Yeah.

ELVIRA:

Okay.

All right, Mil, I'm gonna

go put little Joe down.

Oh, thank you, G. Bill.

Welcome to the team, Mae.

You know, my daddy left, too,

during the Depression.

He never came home.

Well, two girls, no daddies.

That's a great angle you

and me could work

for a tag team match.

I'll go talk to Billy

about it right now.

Maybe you and I can

start runnin' it tomorrow.

BILLY:

The lock-up, ready?

Yeah (INDISTINCT SPEECH)

Over here like this.

Three, two, one, and go!

ELVIRA:

Oh, that was fun!

()

(BANG)

(SIGHS)

(BIRDS CHIRPING IN BACKGROUND)

(METAL CLANKING IN BACKGROUND)

(COUGHS)

Where have you been?

(PUFFS SMOKE)

I'm sorry, toots.

The settlement took all night.

It's six hours to Wichita.

Well, Millie, I'm always tryin'

to get you as much money

as I can.

Must have been important.

(CHUCKLES)

Now you know these carnies,

Millie.

Ignorance is bliss, yeah?

(BANG)

MILLIE:

Well, I'm Burke now.

What's her name?

Don't you ever, ever

disrespect me again!

I don't need to be loved by you!

Just say I'm not enough for you

and we can move on!

-You--

-(GRUNTS)

Millie, Millie, Millie.

Honey, calm down.

Calm down.

I'm ashamed of myself.

I lost my judgment

with the booze.

I love you.

I love you.

It'll never happen again.

Forgive me, please.

I'm only maybe

getting back in that car

'cause I know there are

hometown fans waitin' on me

tomorrow night.

I will...

I will forever be sorry

for breaking your heart.

But, darling, you were always

getting back in the car

so that we made the show

on time.

Who in the hell are you?

I'm your manager.

Now get in the car.

(KEY CLINKS)

Bring her to me.

Now.

My baby don't stand

no cheatin', my babe

Oh, yeah, she don't stand

no cheatin', my babe

Oh, yeah, she don't stand

no cheatin'

She don't stand none

of that midnight creepin'

I'm so sorry, Miss Burke.

I ain't a damn cheat.

I had no idea he

was your fianc.

Fools rush in, let me tell you.

He never once

mentioned anything.

I just wanted to

join up with you.

I love wrestlin'

and I admire you greatly.

Just please accept my apology.

(SIGHS)

May I ask you something,

Miss Burke?

Millie.

Millie.

May I ask, do you love him?

You wanna wrestle?

More than anything.

I know the feelin'.

BILLY:

Step right this way.

Step right this way!

It is the main event of the day!

Your hometown hero,

the Kansas Cyclone,

Mildred Burke!

(CHEERING AND CLAPPING)

Now, men

fear her alligator clutch.

You, sir, 25c could get you $25.

What about you?

One of you three

must have it in you.

25c could get you $25.

How about another lady?

Ooh!

Well, I'm sorry, ma'am,

but that is not

what the good folks

of Kansas came to see.

The hell I care about Kansas.

I'm from Texas.

And I didn't take

a daggone train

all the way from Houston

for nothing.

You want some or no?

Oh, I've been

waitin' my whole life.

(CHEERING AND CLAPPING)

Hold on.

I can't let you in the ring.

You're a neophyte.

This is a dangerous business.

Get out of my way, you grifter.

BILLY:

Hey! No, come on!

-MILLIE: Let her loose, Billy!

-BILLY: Hey, come on.

-Stop, stop, stop! Hey, stop!

-CROWD: Let her loose!

Let her loose!

Let her loose!

Come on, Billy!

We're poppin' the crowd!

I can't let this happen.

-Let her loose!

-CROWD: Let her loose!

BILLY:

Two women are not allowed

to wrestle in the same ring

in this state!

(SCREAMS)

The vile b*tch bit me!

-(LAUGHING AND CLAPPING)

-(BILLY GROANS)

BILLY:

Take her down, Millie.

(CROWD CHEERING AND CLAPPING)

He deserved it.

You play nice,

I'll make you look good.

(CLICKS TONGUE)

(CROWD CHEERING)

(YELLS)

(CROWD CHEERING AND CLAPPING)

(MILLIE YELLS)

(SCREAMS)

(CHEERING)

(YELLING)

(GROANS)

Oh!

Come on, Millie! Come on!

So, that's how it's gonna be.

All right.

Come on.

(CROWD CHEERING)

(GRUNTING)

(CHEERING)

(GRUNTING)

(EXHALES)

(MILLIE YELLS)

(CHEERING AND CLAPPING)

(GRUNTING)

(THUD)

(GRUNTING)

(CHEERING AND CLAPPING)

Oh!

(YELLS)

-(SCREAMS)

-(CROWD BOOING)

Boo!

-(MILLIE YELLS)

-Ah!

-(MILLIE GRUNTS)

-(THUD)

(CHEERING AND CLAPPING)

(YELLS)

(SCREAMS)

Give up, or I'll break it.

I don't much care which it is.

(GROANS)

(BELL RINGS)

(BANG)

(CHEERING AND CLAPPING)

Millie!

Millie!

Millie!

Millie!

Millie!

Millie!

Millie!

Millie!

Millie!

Millie!

(YELLS)

CROWD:

Oh!

-(GROANS)

-(THUD)

(BOOING)

I don't do nice.

-MAE: Get back, hey!

-(MILLIE SHOUTS)

Oh, Billy!

Billy, my knee.

My knee. She popped my knee.

Oh, Billy.

-This one?

-Yeah.

(INDISTINCT SPEECH)

G. BILL:

God, that looks so bad.

I mean,

we gotta cancel her shows

for the rest of the month,

right?

Tell me something I don't know.

Are you sure we shouldn't

take her to the hospital?

What did that doc say?

The doc popped her knee

back into place.

She just needs to

have it in a brace

and keep it elevated.

It'll just take a few weeks

to heal.

She just needs to rest.

I mean, you don't want

a second opinion on that?

Look, she can rest

at our apartment.

You and I will continue on

to Joplin.

G. BILL:

Actually, Pop, I think--

BILLY:

Junior, I've got my own damn

matches to wrestle

for this next week, all right?

You and I

will continue on the tour

until I finish my obligations.

(CAR WHIRRING)

BOY:

I had a bad dream.

Oh, honey. It wasn't real.

Come here.

(GRUNTS)

It's not real, baby.

Only dreams that we

make come true are real.

Remember,

we gotta count to three.

Close your eyes.

We're gonna wish away

all those bad thoughts.

Try it with me.

-One.

-One.

(TOGETHER)

Two.

(KISSES)

(TOGETHER)

Three.

(BLOWS AIR)

It's all gone with the wind now.

Joe!

MILLIE:

Whoa! (CHUCKLES)

(CLAPS)

(MILLIE LAUGHING)

Hi.

Hi.

Ah, you made it.

Yeah.

Watch out.

(GRUNTS)

So, hmm... Fix your hat.

Lookin' a little crazy.

Now you're looking better.

Just now startin' to

be able to move around again.

It's been scary.

BILLY:

Well, my ticket sales stiffed

and I got

these g*dd*mn crab lice again

from those dirty locker rooms.

Come over here

and help me get this crud out

of my hair.

Hey, Millie. How are you?

I missed you.

I'm so glad you are okay.

Can I--

Can I help you with anything?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Here, use those fancy long

fingernails of yours

and help me get these nits

out of my hair.

I can't.

(SIGHS)

G. Bill, take Joe

to get some ice cream.

G. BILL:

Sounds pretty good, huh, buddy?

BILLY:

Wow.

G. BILL:

Where you going? Come on.

Let's go get some ice cream,

right?

MILLIE:

Yeah.

(DOOR SHUTS)

Never in front of my son again,

you pig!

I ain't your damn caddie!

Yeah, well, you're

still a woman.

Now, come-- come make use.

(SNIGGERS)

Oh, you can't handle a woman

havin' a bigger gate than you,

can you?

Mm, it must just eat

you alive, Billy Wolfe,

that you never made it big time

on your own,

so now you live off a woman

drawing more money

than your sorry a*s could ever

dream--

(SMACK)

(MILLIE GROANS)

BILLY:

sh*t.

I-- I didn't mean for that

to happen, Millie.

I-- I'm sorry.

(MILLIE SPITS)

(SIGHS)

I'm sorry, Millie.

I truly am.

(CAR WHIRRING)

JOE:

Grandma, Grandma!

Hi, Joe, baby.

-JOE: I missed you so much.

-I missed you.

Go on.

That Billy Wolfe

done called here three times,

asked me if you got here safely.

MILLIE: (GRUNTS)

Thanks, Mom.

BERTHA:

Begging me to

have you forgive him.

Yeah, well, don't you ever waste

your breath speakin'

to that rotten man.

(THUD)

Oh.

Oh, my baby.

(NEWSPAPER RUSTLING)

You ain't goin' back

to the carnivals,

wearin' out your body,

wrestlin' for peanuts again,

are you, baby?

No, Mama, my dream is women

against women in real arenas.

I mean, we're putting

more butts in seats

than most men anyway.

Can't you and Elvira

headline some hot spots?

What about Mae?

MILLIE:

Promoters won't pay for it.

(PHONE RINGS)

Mom.

Office of Mildred Burke.

It's him.

Billy Wolfe, don't you ever

call here again, you evil cad.

Burn in hell!

(PHONE DINGS)

Well, I know that if you just

give us one matinee,

I'm sure that we could...

(SIGHS)

Okay.

I understand, sir.

Thank you, thank you,

thank you so much for your time.

(PHONE DINGS)

You makin' any progress?

Ugh!

(SIGHS)

What I know is in the ring,

but outside I'm...

I'm lost without

that damn Wolfe!

You got so many

fans out there, baby.

Where do we find

some willing promoter?

I'm sorry, Mama.

I'm just so damn humiliatin'

tryin' to book myself.

Women can headline arenas.

I know that we can.

Yes.

This damn boys' club

ain't tryin' to hear it.

(CAR WHIRRING)

Oh, you gotta be shittin' me.

Mildred, now hear me out.

What do you want?

BILLY:

We found a real draw.

Her name is Clara Mortensen.

She's from California.

Now, she claims that she's

the new lightweight champion.

Word on the street is that

they're doin' the same numbers

as us, maybe even more.

(PHONE RINGS)

Mildred Burke here.

Hey, baby doll, it's Mae.

Is that piece of sh*t Wolfe

there?

Is he talkin' about a match

with that West Coast gal,

Clara Mortensen?

MILLIE: (ON PHONE)

Oh, yeah.

He's flappin' his lyin' gums

about somethin' or other!

Listen here.

That dirty carnie is

for real with this one.

California banned

women's wrestlin',

and now she's takin'

all of her hype

and bringin' it

to our territories.

Let's show 'em how

we do it in the South.

He ain't foolin'?

It's you and this girl Clara.

It'll be lipstick and dynamite.

Finally.

(SLAMS DOWN THE PHONE)

We can keep the show business

before the personal.

We're-- we're-- we're partners.

Don't let our story

end here, Mildred.

I'm beggin' you.

Look how good you done

with no daddy around.

And the day will come when

you don't need him anymore.

I still love you, Millie.

Yeah?

I do.

Love me?

BILLY:

Yeah.

Shut it!

I come back,

it's strictly business.

You got that, Jack?

Billy Wolfe,

I swear to God, if you ever lay

a hand on me

or disrespect me

in front of Joe again,

I am gone!

From all of it. For good!

I felt...

I felt pathetic for my shows

stiffin' on the road,

and I took it out on you,

and I'm...

I'm forever sorry.

I-- I won't ever wrestle again.

I'll concentrate on--

on your career solely.

Yeah?

()

Billy Wolfe.

MAN 9:

Billy, what in the hell

are you thinkin'

making Al Hafty

as our first promoter?

Yeah.

Are you out of

your g*dd*mn mind?

He's not gonna book this fight.

Already wastin' our time.

Haven't even cut a deal yet

for these two.

Lovely to meet you,

Miss Mortenson.

You can just call me Clara.

Clara.

Well, Millie's

in the dressing room

if you wanna go say hi.

-Al!

-Oh, excuse me, gentlemen.

Al, hey, listen.

I wanna talk to you about

puttin' two of my girls

on your card.

Look, your girls are just

gonna pull hair

and get injured.

My main event is heavyweights

and they're male.

Booking women wrestlers

is gonna--

Lady wrestlers.

Look, if you put them on

and they don't bring you

your biggest gate

of the whole year,

they'll work for nothin'.

You don't even gotta pay out.

I reckon you're all hat

and no cattle.

(BILLY CHUCKLES)

Come on, Al.

Look at that.

Bleach, blonde,

bottle blues

Baby's got a short fuse

BILLY:

Come on.

Boom, bombshell

raisin' hell in white linen

She been everywhere,

seen everything

What'd you say?

(LAUGHS)

Saw it on the big screen

Y'all got nothin' on that

I said, ooh, ooh, child,

what you gonna do

I said, ooh, ooh, child,

what you got

I said, ooh, ooh, child,

what you gonna do with them

Bleach blonde, bottle blues

MAN 9:

We need to talk

about the finish.

BILLY:

Okay.

MAN 9:

Clara's got the bigger name.

So, we need, uh, Millie

to put her over.

Long as we pass it

back and forth.

MAN 10:

That's fine and good,

but for now,

Clara defends the title.

Clean finish.

Clara, let's go.

MAN 9:

Clean finish.

Billy, did I hear that right?

BILLY:

I'm afraid so, toots.

But don't let it get you down.

Clara was born into wrestlin'.

Wait.

Pro wrestlin' is fixed at

the championship level, too?

Well, it's scripted.

Theater meets circus.

Now, a lot of times

on the men's side,

they'll do a sh**t match,

determine who has dominance

when it comes to the belt, but--

What do you mean

a sh**t match?

Fight for real.

No script.

sh**t from the hip.

With a public audience?

BILLY:

No.

No.

It's behind closed doors for

the managers and the talent.

Whoever wins in private

determines

what happens with the finish

in public.

But hey,

you and I,

we got a job to do tonight.

Go out there

and show this audience

how to pop with every move

that you do.

Is Clara a baby face or heel?

You're both faces.

It's never been

done like that before.

Light her up.

Mm-hmm.

(CROWD CLAMORING AND CLAPPING)

And the Dothan Arena!

(FOOTFALLS)

(CLAPS)

(CROWD CLAMORING IN BACKGROUND)

GEORGE:

Wow. (CHUCKLES)

If it isn't my old friend

from the diner.

I'll be damned.

MILLIE:

I know.

(BOTH CHUCKLE)

I asked for you

to get good billin'

openin' the show tonight.

I follow you in the papers

when I can.

Yeah, shouldn't take long.

(CHUCKLES)

How are you?

Uh, great, yeah, really great.

How are you, really?

The bigwigs

at the Alliance are...

They're breathing down my neck.

They're talkin' about

sendin' me back to Kansas.

Can't seem to draw the crowds.

BILLY:

It's time!

Hey, keep your head up.

Luck always seems

to turn in this business.

Hailing from Kansas...

Do somethin' about this,

will you?

(CHUCKLES)

Remember when you first

mentioned a little glam?

(KISSES)

You can be a wrestler

and still be gorgeous, George.

Mildred Burke!

(CROWD CHEERING AND APPLAUDING)

BILLY:

Decent match tonight, George.

Didn't even break a sweat.

You retire from the ring to

pack houses

with the Kansas waitress,

but you can't even return

my call?

Sometimes, the heel wins.

Pull my wishes

Out of that well

ANNOUNCER 2:

And to defend her title,

hailing from sunny California,

your champion,

Clara Mortensen!

Ride no coattails

Gonna do it myself

Mm, mm, mm, mm

Do it myself

Mm, mm, mm, mm

BROADCASTER 1:

So, here we are!

Two women headlining venues

that have only had

male grapplers with top billing!

Losin' sleep

Taking the long road

BROADCASTER 1:

Can't say many of us saw this

coming,

but this is

what the people want!

Diggin' deep

We gonna strike gold

BROADCASTER 1:

They've been called

the Danger Dames.

The appeal, the athleticism,

the aesthetic, the attitude,

and the awe factor,

these lady wrestlers have it

all

and they aren't afraid

to show it,

wasting no time

givin' a capacity crowd

-their money's worth!

-(BELL RINGS)

Burning rubber

Comin' in hot

Call it stubborn

BROADCASTER 1:

The maneuvers, the madness!

The crowd is torn

with our challenger,

the Kansas Cyclone,

against the California girl

who won't stay down!

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh

Losin' sleep,

Takin' the long road

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh

(BELL RINGS)

Diggin' deep

We gonna strike gold

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh

ANNOUNCER 2:

The winner, and still champion,

our California beauty,

Clara Mortensen!

CROWD:

Millie!

Millie!

Millie!

Millie!

Millie!

How further is it, G. Bill?

G. BILL:

300 miles, Mil.

These winding dirt roads

ain't doin' us any favors

either, so...

MILLIE:

300 miles?

Can you imagine one day

they figure how to make it cool

inside here

and they pave

the roads straight across?

BROADCASTER 2:

I tell you what, folks,

it's not every day

you see a single mother

cash in checks

and breaking records like that.

Millie Muscles,

truly an astounding

American woman!

(CHEERING)

G. BILL:

When's it gonna be

Millie's turn to win the strap?

I mean, they keep sayin' after

the next night,

after the next night.

Son, that is

a very good question.

(BANGING)

It's Billy Wolfe.

MAN 9:

Yeah?

Gentlemen, I-- I need to

have a word in-- in private.

Come on in.

Anythin' that needs to be said,

can be said

right in front of her.

BILLY:

I think it's time we talked

about the belt changin' hands.

MAN 10:

Ain't gonna happen.

BILLY:

Now hold on a damn minute there,

Beefcake.

We started this tour,

we had a deal.

Yeah, well, you know,

it's wrestlin'.

Plans change.

That don't work for me, Brutus.

BRUTUS:

Neither do we.

BILLY:

Millie's got a lot of heat

on her now.

You agreed to this.

It's the right thing to do.

Clara ain't droppin'

the strap to your girl.

And that's the finish.

-That's bullshit, Beefcake!

-Hey!

(GRUNTING AND GROANING)

All right, that's enough.

(GROANS)

Sorry about your bookin'.

(BILLY GROANS)

(INDISTINCT CATHETER)

(COUGHS)

Oh, Jesus!

MILLIE:

Billy, what in the hell?

(BILLY GROANS)

(SIGHS)

That b*stards double-crossed us.

What do you mean, Billy?

(GROANS)

You go out there

and you wrestle your heart out

tonight.

Well, I do that every night.

What you aimin' at?

sh**t match.

g*dd*mn right, Billy Wolfe.

()

Clara, how about we stick

to the original plan tonight,

and I win?

Oh, honey, I believe my people

already talked to your people.

I ain't foolin'.

You play that game with me,

and I'll stretch you.

(BELL RINGS)

(CHEERING AND APPLAUDING)

(YELLS)

MILLIE:

You're about to get stiffed.

Final warnin'.

You're in the land

of Clarafornia.

You're the one who

needs a warning!

(THUD)

(CHEERS)

(CLARA GROANS)

Honor the dealer or we sh**t.

CLARA:

You b*tch!

(CLARA SCREAMS)

(THUD)

(YELLING)

(THUD)

(CROWD CHEERING)

(THUDDING)

(CHEERING)

(SCREAMS)

(BELL RINGS)

AL:

First round, Mildred Burke!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUDING)

CLARA:

My arm is screwed!

Well, did you talk to

your people about it?

You're the champ.

Just make it look good.

(YELLS, GROANS)

(THUD)

(BANGING)

(BELL RINGS)

(CHEERING AND APPLAUDING)

AL:

Here we are, my God.

Ladies and gentlemen,

the new Southern champion,

Mildred Burke!

Number one!

(AUDIENCE CHEERING AND CLAPPING)

-WOMAN 3: There she is!

-WOMAN 4: Oh, there she is, yay!

Hi, y'all?

Thank you so much for comin'.

You were the best crowd

we have ever had.

I mean that.

Hey, you make a great face.

You come see us

in the ring, all right?

-Thank you.

-Thank you, thank you.

Looks like we're cleanin' up

every night of the week now.

You sure are, superstar.

It's got me thinkin', Billy.

Mm-hmm.

I keep hearin' in my head

about what you said,

about how the show business

comes before the personal.

I'm listenin'.

Well, I reckon now

is a good time

to make good on that promise.

Which promise is that?

The one you made

about marrying me.

I want us secure as equal

partners in this enterprise

we're buildin'.

WOMAN 5:

Millie, you're the best!

Or I oughta go take meetings

with other promoters on my own.

Miss Burke, I am prepared

to make good on that promise

right now.

(NOTES RUSTLING)

You hear that, son?

Yeah, Dad.

I suppose you want some

help with the wedding planning?

(CHUCKLES)

It's not that kind of wedding.

()

(KISSES)

()

Millie,

you in love with my father?

Oh.

I surely am not, G. Bill.

G. BILL:

With-- with all of his chicanery

and shenanigans,

why did you marry him?

How often do you

trust your daddy?

Not even half the week.

This paperwork is the only way

I can protect us

from him pullin' tricks.

You understand now,

don't you, darlin'?

You're the headliner,

but he still writes

the headlines.

That's right.

(VEHICLES HONKING)

BILLY:

Ladies' night!

That's right, ladies' night!

First 500 women

get in for free!

That's right, for free!

Tonight only,

women's wrestling!

Hey! Hey, Mr. Wolfe!

-BILLY: Yeah, one night only.

-WOMAN 6: Mr. Wolfe!

BILLY:

Don't miss--

I was there, I was there when

Millie took the belt from Clara!

-I was there, I saw that!

-Get away from the car.

No, hey, hey, no, no, no!

Listen, listen,

Mr. Wolfe, listen!

Look.

Look, I know all about

your program, okay?

Now, I don't wanna work

in a ten-cent store,

and I don't wanna--

I don't wanna waitress, and I...

I don't-- I don't wanna

clean houses, okay?

I wanna slam!

Just tie me to the trunk

because I'm leaving with you

whether you like it or not!

(VEHICLE HONKING)

What?

What, you-- you want me to move?

I'll move my fist

into your face,

you want me to move!

Calm down, just get in the car,

let's talk about it.

(THUMP)

BILLY:

Ain't you the perfect hero?

Where'd you come from?

What-- what's your name?

I was born Janet Boyer,

but you can call me

Gladys Gillem.

BILLY:

Gladys Gillem. k*ll 'em, Gillem.

GLADYS:

Hmm, man, I'm gonna

need a good gimmick.

BILLY:

Oh, I got one for you.

Wildcat.

Roughhouse tactics.

Millie,

she represents hard work,

fair play, honor, integrity.

You are gonna be chaos, mayhem,

rule-breaking pandemonium.

Yeah!

BILLY:

You are gonna be a star.

(SHRIEKS)

Bad blood

It's rainin' down

on everything

Bad blood

Okay, two of you gotta hop out

right now

before we get near that crowd.

Why's that?

They cannot catch you

walkin' in together.

It'll break the kayfabe.

Kayfabe?

Storylines, rivalries.

It's wrestlin' slang

for the illusion.

Those folks gotta believe

that you hate Millie's guts

and I hate Elvira.

Otherwise, we don't got a show.

That's right.

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh

In the nighttime, honey

Bad blood

Bad blood

Now, what you've

all been waiting for.

The main event.

Introducing the challenger,

the Alabama Brawler!

I've made mistakes

Ah, you're gonna do great,

shortcake.

Just keep workin' the angle

that got you here.

Gladys "k*ll 'Em" Gillem!

k*ll 'em, girl.

(CLAPS, YELLS)

(CLAPS, CHEERS)

Lost underground

(CHEERING)

I hear them gates

Okay, come on!

Swing open loud

AL HAFT:

She's dangerous, isn't she?

Now, your defending reigning

champion,

the Kansas Cyclone,

the one and only

Mildred Burke!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUDING)

Now would you pray

before you twist the knife

I'm used to the darkness

Used to the darkness

I'm used to the darkness

Used to the darkness

Na, na, na, na, na, na,

na, na, na

Family business, ain't it?

Damn right.

BROADCASTER 3:

They got the South

and the Midwest,

but the Mid-Atlantic still

oppose women's wrestling.

What would it take

for Jack Pfefer

to get the ban lifted?

Is that your husband?

Billy Wolfe.

Yes.

WOMAN 7:

Mm.

Which side of the aisle

is he on?

Aisle?

Party, dear.

Is he a Democrat or Republican?

Oh, no.

He's a promoter.

We work in sports.

I'm a wrestler.

(CHUCKLES)

For a moment I thought

you were serious.

I'm actually the highest-paid

female athlete.

In Washington?

In history.

Make-believe pays well,

I suppose.

MILLIE:

You know why

people love fairy tales?

It lets them escape

from their mundane lives.

We're a real-life fairy tale.

Showing flesh, getting fresh.

Hi.

I think we've got enough

problems in this country

without undermining

our social mores

by mixing sexuality

and violence.

No offense.

There's a hell of a lot more

women in the seats at our shows

than golf or tennis.

New York

and California still know better

than to allow

two half-naked women in the ring

at the same time.

Oh, Mrs. McCarthy, honey,

we can do two women

at the same time together.

We don't need a ring.

They say if you-- you wanna

live longer,

you gotta live a little.

You know what I'm sayin'?

(MAE CHUCKLES)

So, this is what your husband

is here lobbying for?

Many of the senators are fans.

COMMENTATOR: (ON TV)

The first player

to break the color barrier,

Jackie Robinson

from the Brooklyn Dodgers,

is off to a tremendous start.

You ever plan to tell Mildred

how you really feel, G. Bill?

Maybe I'll hop in that bar

and do the honors right now.

JACK:

Well, I think that the most

important question is

why would anyone wanna limit

the spectacle of competition

based on gender?

Uh, gentlemen, you wanna be

on the right side of the ropes

or the wrong side of history?

BILLY:

Here she is.

Millie Muscles?

Such a powerful presence.

Speaking of powerful,

go on, show him.

MAN 11:

What a wonderful honor it is

to have you here tonight.

Mr. Wolfe. Pfefer.

BILLY:

Cheers.

JACK:

Cheers.

(CLINK)

Sex, muscles, and diamonds,

Mildred Burke's takin'

the wrestling world by storm,

unifying the Southern

and Midwestern belts

with headlining

all girl matches,

led by promoter extraordinaire

Billy Wolfe.

MAN 12:

The Lord said nothing degrades

human nature

more to its most bestial depths

than the sight

of a healthy pair

of young women

indulging

in the repugnant postures

of all-in wrestling.

(CAMERA FLASH CLICKS)

BROADCASTER 4:

With Millie Muscles as their

headliner,

other glamour girls,

like Elvira Snodgrass

and Mae Young,

are making their mark.

When Mae isn't busy hustling men

at the pool hall,

she's recruiting the barmaids

who work there!

MAE:

You like servin' dusty drinks?

BROADCASTER 4:

The latest being

Miss Nell Stewart.

Hi, everyone.

Sorry we're late.

Why do you wanna

get in the ring?

NELL:

Abusin' my body for diamond

and fur coat money?

And it's apple butter

on a Monday.

(CHEERING)

GLADYS:

Come on, I want you

to push me, okay?

Like you were pushing past

every jerk

that ever broke your heart,

right?

-(CHUCKLES)

-Gotta be a few of them.

-Come on.

-Okay.

-Give it to me.

-Okay.

-Come on!

-All right.

(GLADYS SHRIEKS)

(THUD)

BROADCASTER 4:

With their headquarters

at Al Haft's

renowned athletic club...

Ah, the Wolfe pack's here.

BROADCASTER 4:

...and pioneer Jack Pfefer

now legal to pick the girls

throughout Pennsylvania

and New Jersey,

women are coming from all

across the globe

for this new lady league

taking the world by storm.

BILLY:

This is an exhibition of grace,

agility, and strength.

(THUD)

Now, if you want a shot

at the great Kansas Cyclone

here,

I have two questions for you.

What is best for business?

Give the audience

what they deserve!

What is in your best interest?

Always have the nerve!

(YELLS)

(THUDDING)

Ah!

Billy.

MILLIE:

What the hell is she doin' here?

She almost broke my knee.

June Byers.

Meet Billy Wolfe.

Uh, we've met.

AL:

She's the top draw

in the biggest state

in the union.

They call her the Texas Tornado.

Pa, got Jack Pfefer

on the phone.

You wrestle with us,

you play it clean,

unless I tell you otherwise.

(BOOING AND CLAMORING)

Is this for real?

Your own guys

protesting against you?

Oh, come on, Billy boy.

Who do you think put

these palookas up to it?

I remember now,

what we do is theater.

And what we ask our wrestlers

to put their bodies through

in the ring

is what we ask our fans

to put their emotions through

in their seats.

Uh, then the lady-- lady like

the-- the flamboyant--

The flamboyant, infamous

Gorgeous George!

The unstoppable, the un--

the un--

The indestructible Panther.

The indestructible

Black Panther of the Mat,

Jim Mitchell!

Okay, George, you're up.

GEORGE:

Not only am I the greatest

wrestler in the world.

Are you the greatest

wrestler in the world?

Not only am I the greatest

wrestler in the world,

but also the most gorgeous

one that has ever lived.

Jim, you're up.

I came here all the way from

Louisville

to shut down Gorgeous George.

JACK:

Why are you calling him

gorgeous?

Do you think he's gorgeous?

To shut down disgusting George!

Disgusting.

GEORGE:

But also the most beautiful one.

Surely you all

already know that,

which is why you gave money.

Copious amounts of money.

Which is why you gave copious

amounts of money to see...

...me tonight.

Now he's gonna cheat.

JACK:

Make it rhyme!

When he's about to get beat!

But y'all know

I'll finish him off

and toss his a*s out

on the street.

JACK:

You gonna throw him where?

JACK AND JIM: (TOGETHER)

Throw his a*s out...

-...on the street!

-Ha!

I am

the Black Panther of the Mat!

And you better remember that!

Buffoon!

The only buffoons that are even

more ignorant...

-(BOOING)

-...than this filthy...

(BOOING)

...Jim Mitchell

are the degenerates...

(BOOING)

...who bought tickets,

standing right in front of me.

(BOOING)

Hammers and nails

(CHEERING AND APPLAUDING)

Hammers and nails

(BOTH CHUCKLE)

Hello there, darlin'.

I'll be damned.

Since when did you--

Become...

so damn gorgeous?

Mm.

Who do you think inspired me

to bring the glitz

and the glam to this...

...stuffy world?

MILLIE:

Oh, George.

I'd love for you to meet

three other mavens.

This is Gladys Gillem.

Elvira Snodgrass.

And the infamous Mae Young.

BILLY:

George?

I think they just called me.

You ain't really a q*eer,

are you?

(MAE CHUCKLES)

BILLY:

Ladies!

Aha!

I'm honored to introduce

to you these three sisters.

Battlin' Babs Wingo,

Evelyn Dynamo Johnson,

and Marvelous Marva Scott.

The first colored

lady wrestlers.

I'll be damned, Billy Wolfe.

(CHUCKLES)

MAE:

It's a pleasure to

meet you, ladies.

MILLIE:

Incredible, Billy.

BILLY:

Five minutes to dressing rooms.

Five minutes to dressing rooms,

you hear me?

How'd y'all meet?

We trained gymnastics together.

Billy done scouted us,

showed us all

about your success, Mildred,

and we got inspired

to join the family.

Together,

we gotta shake things up

and break walls down

in this country.

And we starting tonight.

GLADYS:

Tonight.

Looks like I found myself

a new tag team park.

I'll show you guys...

Tweedle, tweedle,

tweedle dee

I'm as happy as can be

Tweedle dee

Jimminy crickets,

jiminy Jack

You make my heart

go clickety-clack

Tweedle, tweedle,

tweedle dee

Tweedle, tweedle,

tweedle dot,

oh

Tweedle dum, tweedle dum

Reservation's under Wolfe.

Sir,

we don't allow colored

in the rooms here.

Well, these beautiful colored

will beat the ever-lovin' crap

out of you

if you don't find a few beds

for 'em right now.

Don't want no trouble.

Y'all need to keep drivin'.

We'll buy out the whole hotel.

Every room, cash.

Split it 50-50,

ain't that right, Billy?

Damn straight.

Put that no vacancy sign up.

Wolfe pack just bought out

your whole building.

(THUD)

(HOWLING)

BILLY:

Ladies, remember,

you are athletes.

Only one drink, right?

()

What's your favorite number,

buttercup?

-Um, uh, seven.

-Seven.

Aha, there we go, seven.

Oh, seven.

There you go, all right.

That sure is a beautiful ring,

Billy.

That one?

You like it?

Hey, look, here.

It's yours.

You ain't serious!

I am serious.

()

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)

Oh, I know.

I only bet on things

that no one can bid on.

Easy.

(GLADYS CHUCKLES)

G. BILL:

I trust that.

(SIGHS)

Every night.

GLADYS:

Millie, hey.

Is this all okay by you?

Billy told me y'all split up

a long time ago.

I just-- I wanna make sure.

You're the reason I'm here,

so...

Billy says a lot of things.

GLADYS:

Yeah.

You know, he claims

he really loves me.

He's got all these plans

for my character, and...

I'm just tryin'

to keep him happy

so that I can stay

on the roster, you know?

Babe,

you prove what you're worth

in the ring,

not the bedroom.

All right? You're out there

sacrificing your body.

Remember that.

(SIGHS)

-(KEYS CLINKING)

-I'm sorry, Millie.

Well, sorry for what? Hmm?

Now, listen, we just-- we have

a business contract that

happens to say married on it.

Come on, if you need anything,

I'll just be down the hall.

Good night, sweetheart.

(CLEARS THROAT)

(MAE CLEARS THROAT)

Lover boy.

Yeah, yeah.

-MAE: Hey.

-Mae.

You let him sweat this one out

on his own tonight.

Come with us.

(CHUCKLES)

()

Well, come on, let's go,

let's go

Let's go, little darlin'

And tell me that you'll never

leave me

Come on, come on,

let's go, ah

again, again, and again

Well, now, swing me,

swing me

All the way down there

Come on, let's go,

little darlin'

Let's go, let's go again

once more

Well, I love you so, dear

And I'll never let you go

Come on, baby, so

Oh, pretty baby, I--

I love you so

Let's go, let's go, let's go,

little sweetheart

And then we can always be

together

Come on, come on,

let's go again

()

-G. BILL: It's good.

-Pretty slick, huh?

Yeah.

Yeah, pretty soon it'll be you

behind the wheel.

JOE:

Really?

G. BILL:

If you're lucky.

So, I hear it's your birthday.

(KEYS JANGLING)

Are-- are these to the truck?

Are you kidding?

Oh, my God.

Thanks, Uncle Billy.

We work on drivin' it

when we get back.

It's not like drivin' a car.

You wanna ride with

your Uncle Billy tonight?

Every night.

Yeah, well, would you teach me

how to plan the order

of the matches and the finishes?

Well, someone's gotta

keep the torch lit.

MILLIE:

Billy, what you tellin' my son?

Just asking him if he

wants to ride with me.

Only for the weekend.

Then he's staying back

full time.

He's gonna live with

his grandma for school.

Ma, that's junk.

I-- I wanna tour with Billy

and--

And learn the family business.

Joe baby.

(KEYS CLINK)

(INDISTINCT SPEECH)

(BOTH LAUGH)

Why don't you start

drivin' Millie full time now?

You're mine

(MILLIE GRUNTS)

Do you mind

if I ask you somethin'?

Yeah, of course, baby.

Why is it that you wear your

crown ring on your ring finger?

Oh, it represents my love

and devotion to wrestling.

(KISSES)

I consider myself married

to my passion, not to a man.

Hey, well, how about marryin'

a man who's actually worthy

of your beauty and talent?

Driver!

Eyes on the road!

Your lips belong to me

BILLY:

Payday.

Sweetheart, could you sit down

a minute so we can have a word?

NELL:

Okay.

BILLY:

Mae.

Nell, you got somethin'

this business

hasn't seen before.

Somethin' that

transcends the ring.

True Hollywood glamour.

Gladys, honey, would you, uh,

would you do me a favor

and give that to Mildred?

GLADYS:

Sure thing.

That's right, movie star beauty.

I'm talkin' the kind that could

be our new headlining champion.

Thank you.

Millie.

-Millie.

-Okay, thank you.

-You all right?

-Hmm.

Good night.

Jack:

So, he goes between the legs

of Gladys

and now to Nell.

Miss Millie, why

do you tolerate it?

The same reason Mae loses

to wrestlers

she could beat with her arm

tied behind her back.

It's the price we pay.

Yeah.

Well, when the page turns,

I hope that you will get back

on that soapbox,

amplify the truth.

Ha. Yeah, Jack?

What you aimin' at?

A heroic single mother

fighting a big, bad wolf.

When that story hits, there

won't be a ticket to be found.

()

G. BILL:

Hi.

(G. BILL CLEARS THROAT)

So, this is our last night

for 10 weeks.

Why not go for a night

on the town?

Just for once, you know?

Just us.

All right.

()

Tell me, girl,

what's wrong with you?

What makes you do

the thing you do

That I mistreat you

and I ain't no good

Girl,

you know that ain't true

BARTENDER:

What do you wanna drink, sir?

I'll take an old-fashioned.

And a...

MILLIE:

One of those.

-BARTENDER: Comin' right up.

-G. BILL: Okay.

(CHUCKLES)

It's not that I can't dance.

Okay.

It's that I don't know if I can.

No one ever tried to teach me.

No one ever tried...

(CLEARS THROAT)

Well, it's certainly

not my Pops's thing.

Mm-mm.

Could you imagine him out there?

He'd probably try to

lecture everyone, right?

This is an exhibition of

grace, agility...

-Strength!

-Strength!

(BOTH CHUCKLE)

Oh.

-Thank you.

-BARTENDER: Sure thing.

Thank you.

(GLASSES CLINK)

Comes evening

Okay. (CLEARS THROAT)

Uh-uh, G. Bill.

It's time.

-No way.

-G. BILL: You're ready.

It's time.

(CHUCKLES)

Comes romance

Comes you

Comes ecstasy

Okay, you're not wrestling now.

There you go.

(CHUCKLES) You gotta relax.

I'm relaxed.

Follow me now.

Uh, well, I usually lead.

Comes snowfall

-G. BILL: Whoa!

-(CHUCKLES)

I thought you said

you don't dance?

Yeah, but now I'm in character.

G. BILL:

Hey, Millie, what if I told you

that I wanna give you

the whole world

the way you deserve?

I'd tell you they made

your drink too strong.

I ain't kiddin'.

Me, you, and Joe,

I wanna devote my life to us.

()

You deserve pure devotion

and loyalty.

Nothin' but...

Yeah, well,

you got that part right.

Mildred Burke.

MILLIE:

Mm-hmm.

Darlin',

what about your father?

He's not your lover.

He would sabotage everything

we've worked so hard for.

He's still my business partner,

baby.

He'd bury me.

Millie, don't you

worry about that, okay?

What if I get him

to give us his blessings?

If...

...you can get your father

to allow it

and promise in writin'

that he

won't cause us any trouble.

()

(APPROACHING FOOTFALLS)

Comin' right up, Pop.

(ICE RATTLING)

(DRINK POURING)

-G. BILL:

Uh...

-What?

To all of our successes together

and to an even greater future.

(GLASSES CLINK)

(SLURPING)

G. BILL:

Pop, I wanna talk about

somethin' very important to me.

What's that, son?

You finally sprouted

some hair down there?

Yeah, very funny, Pop.

Um...

I just ask, please, to have

an open mind

and support me as your son.

Don't I always?

Of course.

(PAPER RUSTLING)

I wanna marry Mildred.

(CHUCKLES)

There's not a chance in hell.

Pop, I love her.

BILLY:

Hmm, yeah. Good for you.

Dammit, Pop, why do you

gotta be like that?

You don't love her.

I'm still in a contract

with her.

Well, then divorce her already.

Let-- let me be happy.

Let us be happy.

Lady wrestling champion leaves

promoter husband

for his own son!

Pop, it ain't gonna

go down like that.

I won't let it.

You got a crystal ball, son?

No, I...

We are done for tonight, Junior.

Good night.

I love her.

We deserve to be

with each other.

Respecting

and honoring each other.

Publicly and proud.

Hey, I'm not backing down

from this!

(SMACK)

(GROANS, PANTS)

BILLY:

Listen to me.

You will do what I say.

Or you will find yourself

cleanin' toilets in some arena

after my show comes through.

(KISSES)

(LYRICS IN ITALIAN)

(DOOR UNLOCKS AND SQUEAKS

IN DISTANCE)

MILLIE:

Joe baby!

Where are you?

Mm, my boy.

Well...

Well, well, well,

nice to see you too, sweetie.

Hey,

I live out on that road for you.

Make sure you have it better

than I ever did as a teenager.

I don't wanna be at

Grandma's house doin' homework.

And doing the same junk

every week.

It's not junk. That's--

Ordinary.

It's responsible.

JOE:

Everyone in my class

knows who you are!

I'm the son of Mildred Burke.

MILLIE:

Oh, so now it's a burden, hmm?

I'm dropping out.

I learn more

on the road anyway.

And I'm old enough to drive.

So, if I'm not coming with you,

I'm riding with Billy.

(SLAMS BOOK)

MILLIE:

Joe!

And they call it somethin'

like muscle plasticity.

Uh, Billy, can I have a moment--

Good night, Gladys.

Muscle plasticity.

That's what I think the name is.

(SIGHS)

Shake it off, baby.

You had a great match.

You riding with us.

Hey, darlin'.

You okay?

Since when did you start

drinking like a Russian fish?

It's fine.

Just kinda going

through it a bit from all of it.

You know?

All right, well,

give me the keys.

I'll drive.

I won't let you drive

after a match.

Mil, you need to get your rest.

G. Bill, you're drunk.

I ain't mad at you, baby.

Just give me the damn keys.

(KEYS CLINKING)

You can run on

for a long time

Run on for a long time

Run on for a long time

But sooner or later,

God will cut you down

Sooner or later,

God will cut you down

BILLY:

Thank you all for coming,

gentlemen.

Ah, Tom, you old muckraker.

It's great to see you.

Well, you all know Millie,

of course.

But I would like to

introduce you

to the new Alabama assassin.

Wrestling's own Betty Grable,

Nell Stewart.

Ha-ha!

She might be mini,

but she sure is mighty.

And this will be

her first title shot.

Yeah, we all got

the press release.

Pleased to meet you, ma'am.

This is very exciting.

Uh, let's start with you,

Mrs. Burke.

Ms. Burke.

Ms. Burke.

Uh, what kinda preparations

do you go through

before a match like this?

Oh, Tom, it's only

a few days away.

I'd much rather

talk about my house

in the Hollywood Hills.

It's right next

to Betty Grable's.

Oh, the real one, I mean.

(CHUCKLES)

You know,

when I'm Mildred's age,

I hope to have a house

like that, too.

But luckily, I have

a lot of time to get there.

MILLIE:

Well, I'm only 35, Nell!

What age are you usin' now?

Why, I'm 25.

I'm far too young to remember

the old days when you used

to wrestle in carnivals,

before you could find

any real competition.

Any lady competition.

Oh, I'm not sure I've ever

had any lady competition.

Well, we wrestled once.

Like I said.

(CHUCKLING)

(LAUGHS)

Why don't we talk about

what's goin' on right now?

So, who's side are you on?

BILLY:

...one hell of a fight.

-Enjoy.

-Thank you.

Of course.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER

IN BACKGROUND)

Wow.

JOE:

Hey.

-Joe.

-MILLIE: Here you go, baby.

JOE:

Thanks, Mama.

BILLY:

Try the New York strip.

It's fantastic.

Oh, thanks, Uncle Billy.

Of course they have

our favorite salad.

Of course.

BILLY:

Millie Muscles.

The Almighty.

Well, there ain't no

easy way to say it.

You've had one hell of a run.

It's time to drop the belt

to Nell.

I knew this was comin'.

And it's fine.

Show business.

Yeah, Nell's been workin' hard.

I will pass the torch.

(CHUCKLES)

(GLASSES CLINKING)

As soon as we get it in writin'

that I get my equal half

of the profits for the empire

we built moving forward

and I get a clean divorce,

I will put Nell over.

She gets the strap.

There ain't no time to get

the legal paperwork goin'.

You got a job to do.

You think I trust you,

Billy, after all this?

Who you foolin'? Hmm?

(SCRUNCHES)

You don't want me in your life.

I know I'm old wood to you.

It's wrestlin'.

Just follow the script.

The only way that Nell gets

the title

without our paperwork straight

is the same way I won it.

A sh**t.

Mildred Bliss.

You do remember that, don't you?

f*ck you, Billy.

(THUMP)

-JOE: sh*t.

-Hey.

Ma.

Ma, Ma, we'll figure it out.

If I lose the belt to Nell

without any of our paperwork,

he'll kick me out

without a dime.

He has all our money tied up,

Joe.

All right, look, look, look.

The belt is the only leverage

that we got.

We don't need to decide

any of this now.

No one needs to get upset.

We always work things out,

don't we?

Mm-hmm.

Took a taxi here?

I'll drive us home.

Come on, I'll drive us home.

Okay.

(SIGHS)

(CAR WHIRRING)

G. BILL:

Okay.

I wanna grab a few things.

Joe, buddy, you want anything?

Yeah. Yeah.

I'll pick out a few things.

Mama?

MILLIE:

Just some oatmeal and fruit

for the mornin'.

Yes, ma'am.

I'm your business partner,

whether you like it or not.

50-50.

Then do what's right

for business.

Nell is carrying the full weight

of the sex appeal

of this show now,

whether you like it or not.

Yeah.

Well, what I'm small on,

I can make up for

with padded bra.

And what you lack,

you can't do anything for.

That's not how I

remember our bedtime.

MILLIE:

Oh, it's all a work, Billy.

In the ring and the bedroom.

Yeah, I bet it is.

I mean, you should hear

the girls joke behind your back.

You're like

a sad, drunken sailor

reelin' from one room

to the next.

Now you must be tired.

I mean, you couldn't

get a crowd off.

Now you can't get a woman off.

You must be exhausted being you.

BILLY:

If I tell you to lose

to my Nell Stewart,

you lose to Nell!

(GRUNTS)

-Momma!

-What the hell are you doing?

BILLY:

If I tell you to lay down,

you lay down!

-Lay down!

-G. BILL: Jesus!

(GRUNTS)

G. BILL:

Jesus!

-sh*t!

-sh*t. Joe.

(DOOR UNLOCKS AND CREAKS)

BERTHA:

Oh, dear God!

(GROANS)

How could've I let that monster

back into your life?

We need to call the police.

I pushed you back into him.

It's all my fault.

We can't call them, Momma.

Baby.

(SOBS)

I spent my whole

life buildin' this.

Whatever satisfaction I'd get

from seeing him go to jail,

I'd be tarnished

in the eyes of all the fans

that look up to me.

Baby, look at you.

Baby, go look at your face.

(SNIFFLES, GROANS)

MILLIE:

All the little girls

that see me

as their role model.

It will all just be

make-believe.

I'd be the abused

fool of a wife

that stayed with a man

who beat me for years.

Baby, you gotta get justice.

MILLIE:

This will heal!

That, will never go away.

It's gonna be okay.

Joe baby, can you give me

and Auntie Mae just a second?

()

I need you to write this out

for me.

Thank you.

To my sweet G. Bill.

I wish I could somehow go back

in time

and make all our dreams

come true

without havin'

to marry your father.

He has reminded us

of his wicked soul.

My love for you is, you know,

as deep as the oceans,

wide as the drive

from coast to coast

we've done so many times.

You have my heart.

But for now, I must insist

that we resign to separate lives

as long as business has me bound

to your father.

Dust in the wind

Love, Mildred.

Everything is

dust in the wind

Thank you, Mae.

(CROWD CLAMORING)

CROWD:

Gladys!

Gladys!

Gladys!

Gladys!

Gladys!

Gladys!

Gladys!

Gladys!

Gladys!

(THUD)

CROWD:

Oh!

MAN 13:

Don't let her do that to you!

WOMAN 8:

Come on, girl.

Oh!

(BANGING)

(BELL RINGS)

(CROWD BOOING)

MAE:

You did great out there.

Oh, thanks.

How you feelin'?

Uh, honestly, head's killin' me,

but, uh, Billy has me closin'

against June tonight,

so I gotta get ready.

Why don't you tell him that

you-- you don't feel up for it?

Go get checked.

You know Billy.

He'll hold it against me.

Besides, a lot of new girls

in the stable,

I just gotta keep my spot.

It's your hometown.

You done enough tonight.

Yeah, well, June needs to pin me

where they love me most.

That's just good business.

It's job.

And I'm a pro.

I'll be okay.

Hey, June.

Some of the girls been

complainin'

about how stiff you wrestle.

JUNE:

Funny.

I ain't heard nothin'.

They're afraid of you.

We ain't here

to hurt each other.

Y'all just salty and jealous

about havin'

to keep puttin' me over.

So, I'll do what I want

under them lights.

Lollipop, lollipop

Oh, lolly, lolly, lolly

(KNOCKING)

BILLY:

Come in.

Billy, I think you should pull

Gladys from the main event.

And why is that?

No, no, let me guess.

So that you can headline

with June instead?

MAE:

Gladys is hurt.

But she ain't gonna tell you,

so I will.

She should not work again

tonight,

especially against June.

You know June, you know

how stiff she wrestles--

I will check on her in a minute.

Thank you, Mae.

I don't wanna

mess up your hair.

(AUDIENCE CHEERING AND CLAPPING)

(BELL DINGS)

-(THUD)

-(AUDIENCE CHEERING)

Yeah, come on!

Yeah. Whoa!

CROWD:

Gladys!

Gladys!

Gladys!

(GROANS)

CROWD:

Oh!

(GROANS)

(CROWD CHEERS)

(GROANS)

(SCREAMS)

(THUD)

(CROWD BOOING)

BABS:

Doctor!

Doctor, now!

(CROWD CLAMORING)

Come on, come on.

What's going on?

Come on, come on.

()

I'm sorry.

She had a traumatic

stomach rupture

and a subdural hematoma.

It's a blood clot between

the brain and its lining.

And there was

nothing we could do.

(ELVIRA SOBS)

(BANG)

How does Nell's hair look now?

Don't go there, Mae.

Go to bed.

MAE:

Go to bed.

Always the priority.

Do 'em raw any way you can.

You watch your mouth, Mae Young.

I ain't warning you again.

Now you wanna

talk about warnings?

I ain't ever gonna

work for you again.

Oh, boohoo.

She's gone because of you!

God damn it, Mae!

I loved her!

You loved her?

Why'd you move on to Nell?

And the next one?

(SNIFFLES)

The same reason you sleep

with a different doll

in every city.

(STATIC)

VOICEOVER ARTIST: (ON RADIO)

This is WOR Radio,

your station for news.

BROADCASTER 5: (ON RADIO)

Bad luck seems to

haunt the retinue

of wrestling impresario

Billy Wolfe

after the sudden tragic loss

of Wolfe pack's formidable

headliner Gladys Gillem.

We have news

from the State Highway Patrol

of yet another tragic blow...

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

BROADCASTER 5: (ON RADIO)

...that has befallen

the Wolfe pack.

More details as

the story develops.

Billy?

My son was

in a bad car accident.

Oh, my God.

I need you to do

somethin' for me.

Anything.

It's not a small favor.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

JUNE:

Your daddy asked me to

take real special care of you.

()

MAN 14:

My client has filed a petition

for divorce

against Mrs. Wolfe

on the grounds of desertion.

Mr. Wolfe has been faithful

and at all times treated her

with kindness

and affection.

Are you kidding, Billy?

You carnie piece of trash!

Remind her about my son.

MAN 14:

Mr. Wolfe knows very well

who the member

of the touring entourage is

that she committed

adultery with.

Tonight I go

To meet my maker

Dig a hole

Dig a hole

Her sweet love will be

My undertaker

Never cold

Never cold

(DOOR SHUTS)

Never cold no more

I got the belt.

And?

Mildred, wait.

Not even a penny?

Mildred!

You built this entire empire

for him from nothin'!

Mama, I am going back to work.

All right? That's it!

I never wanna

see his face again.

JOE:

He's a carnie, Ma.

He got you.

What are you

talking about, Joe?

Men only.

Members only.

Every major promoter

in territory is NWA.

Ma, remember.

All the tickets you two ever

sold had your name on them.

Mm-hmm.

JOE:

Not his.

COMMISSIONER:

Look, I'm sorry, Mrs. Burke,

but--

No, Miss Burke.

Uh, Miss Burke.

But Billy's had the deal to

book the girls from the start.

And it's exclusive.

Well, you call

yourselves an alliance.

And you've made

plenty off lady wrestlers.

I'm publicly split from Billy,

so I don't see how it's any

of your business

whether or not we get--

MAN 15:

With all due respect, ma'am,

it became our business when it

started crowdin' out

every other storyline.

People aren't even payin'

attention to the wrestlers

anymore.

Look, Miss Burke,

we sell entertainment,

and a messy divorce

is not entertaining.

Who are you?

This is Vince McMahon

from New York.

Our top Northeastern promoter.

I'm sorry, Vince.

My little Vince Jr. asked me

all about this.

What exactly did Vince Jr. ask?

He asked why the promoter's

writin' himself

in the storylines.

(CHUCKLES)

MILLIE:

Hmm.

I said it should never happen,

but the kiddo loves it.

MILLIE:

Mr. McMahon,

how can I get a guarantee that

my ladies can wrestle

in the state of New York?

BILLY:

Gentlemen,

I'll make this easy for you.

BROADCASTER 6:

And now

for some late breaking news

from the National

Wrestling Alliance.

There'll now be two rival

women's wrestling leagues

operating against each other.

One headed by Mildred Burke,

the other by her ex-husband

Billy Wolfe.

And I predict

competition to be rough.

To be extreme.

Possibly even all-out w*r.

BROADCASTER 7:

Neither league has been approved

to wrestle

in the state of New York.

But one man by the name of

Gorgeous George has had

no problem headlining

Madison Square.

Got into capacity crowds,

thanks to wrestling's

newfound power in television.

BROADCASTER 8:

Nell Stewart and June Byers

are getting major spotlights

as headliners.

Meanwhile, Mildred Burke

has vowed

to make whatever sacrifices

necessary

in order

to support all the women

who have shown solidarity

with her.

-Ma?

-Yeah.

If we keep paying them in full,

there's not gonna be any left

for you again.

It's not their fault.

Pay the girls. All right?

Hey.

MILLIE:

Hey.

Anything we could

do to help you, Millie?

Oh, no.

Just keep puttin' on

a great show.

Okay, sweetheart?

Thanks for sticking

with me through all this.

My gals.

BABS:

She gave him everything

in the divorce.

It's all meant nothin'.

And look, same venue.

Two weeks away.

(BIRDS CHIRPING IN BACKGROUND)

MILLIE:

Hi, baby.

You good?

Yeah.

All right, let's go.

(SIGHS)

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Hi.

Uh...

My sisters love you, Mil,

but they're going with Billy.

He said he'd pay them

the same as June and Nell.

I'm sorry.

(YELLS)

(SOBS)

(INDISTINCT SPEECH)

-Yeah?

-Mm-hmm.

Me?

I'm staying right here.

Yeah, yeah. Right here.

(SNIFFLES)

We face this head on.

Joe.

Call the NWA.

Alert the press.

(DOOR SHUTS)

You still wanna talk

about the title match?

I think I got an idea.

()

(SCREAMS)

COMMENTATOR 2:

Well, this Kentucky crowd's

in for a real treat

with Battlin' Babs Wingo

getting her first title shot

against the Kansas Cyclone.

The attendance here in

Lexington's a far stretch away

from Mildred Burke's

previous box office numbers.

That's to be expected with

the rival league of Billy Wolfe

in close proximity,

splitting the ticket sales

all over the country.

And I tell you what.

We may not

have a sold out crowd,

but boy, do we have

a passionate one.

Now surely they're expecting

Miss Wingo to do whatever

it takes.

And I mean whatever it takes

to leave the ring

with that championship belt.

Just what in the world?

Mae Young and Elvira Snodgrass

are here to sabotage Millie!

(LAUGHS)

Brilliant, little Joe!

COMMENTATOR 2:

We'd expect it from the infamous

Mae Young,

but not from Elvira,

a longtime ally of Mildred!

(CROWD CHEERING)

(THUD)

COMMENTATOR 2:

This is ruthless

and disgraceful.

The top contender

and the champion

both robbed of a clean belt.

(CROWD CHEERING)

(JACK LAUGHING)

Elvira does a heel turn

and you make Babs Wingo a face.

Nobody wins or loses,

but everybody gets emotional.

You, sir, are a storyteller.

COMMENTATOR 2:

Now Babs will surely

get the pinfall here

and take the belt

with a tainted victory.

(CROWD CLAMORING)

(GRUNTS)

()

Every day of my life,

I'll be shinin' through

the darkness

of that wrong side of history.

Well, the Saints are marchin' in

with this little light of mine,

and you best believe

I'm gonna let it shine!

Inside and outside this ring!

(CHEERING)

COMMENTATOR 2:

I am beyond words!

What a tie

from Battlin' Babs Wingo!

She's taken the high road

to a hero

and won over

this Kentucky crowd!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUDING)

BILLY:

Oh, there he is.

Um, sugar pie,

just-- just give us a minute to

talk business alone, all right?

Just wait over there for me.

Jack! Ha-ha.

Look, I came down here

personally

to make sure you know

how much this means to me.

I need my girls

workin' in your territory.

Come on, Billy.

You're just a broke down carnie

again all excited to see me.

Cut the sh*t, Pfefer.

Look, I'll give you

the biggest match

in the business right now.

June Byers versus Nell Stewart

to crown a new champion.

Crown a new champion?

Mm-hmm.

With what belt?

What are you gonna do?

You gonna give 'em a crown

made out of diamonds?

I hear most of your diamonds

are in the pawn shop now.

Who told you that?

Who hasn't?

I'm sorry, but the stakes

aren't high enough.

Listen, uh, if the gate doesn't

cover the full cost...

...I'll--

I'll pay out of my pocket.

You wanna put money back

in your pocket?

Diamonds back on your body?

I've got your next big match.

Only this one ain't for free.

And I think you

know her last name.

Come on.

Not a chance, no.

JACK:

Wolfe, you need her.

-BILLY: Not a chance, no.

-You need her, Wolfe. You need--

I don't need that

b*tch for nothin'.

I will start my own g*dd*mn

tournament down in Baltimore

for a new belt.

The age of television disagrees!

BROADCASTER 9:

June Byers headlining this

tournament against Nell Stewart

has not yielded the results

with the attendance

or perception.

I'll speak for the fans.

The belt

that Mildred still holds

is the only official title strap

that carries weight.

I don't wanna do this anymore.

(INDISTINCT LYRICS)

Billy, I know you don't wanna

hear this from me,

but I can't keep takin' hits

on these shows either.

I've gotta let the marketplace

breathe.

I don't think we should be

bookin' on top of Mildred's days

that...

Uh, we're cuttin'

our own draw in half.

Okay, Junior.

I know what I'm talkin' about,

Dad!

(INDISTINCT LYRICS)

MAE:

They already locked

the backdoor.

MILLIE:

Oh, so much for kayfabe.

Miss Burke.

Sorry, doll.

No time for signatures.

We're late.

VALET:

Afterwards.

You have time for this.

()

MILLIE:

Well, if it

isn't the Human Orchid.

The Sensation of the Nation.

GEORGE:

Oh, I've been called worse.

MILLIE:

Nice billin'.

I told you wrestlers

could be gorgeous.

No, TV's a whole

other world, Millie.

Oh, I bet the boys

at the Alliance

-warmed up to you.

-Mm-hmm.

Being top draw in the country

will do that, yeah.

Nice touch.

Very regal.

Oh, no one will ever

be as regal as you.

The Kansas Cyclone.

(MILLIE CHUCKLES)

Queen of the ring.

So, uh, how are you really?

He's taken everythin'.

My company.

My career.

He almost got Joe,

but I stopped him there!

The rest of it?

Sometimes the heel wins.

Sometimes...

...the heel turns.

It sold out in an instant.

I cut the deal,

Jack and Al co-pro'd it.

Oh, uh...

(CHUCKLES)

And I got you paid in advance.

-(LAUGHS)

-GEORGE: In full.

Ha!

(BOTH LAUGH)

Thank you.

(KISSES)

()

(CROWD CHEERING AND CLAPPING)

Ladies and gentlemen,

we brought you

the fastest-selling,

the most anticipated title

fight

in the history

of women's wrestling,

broadcast live

to the greatest city

in the South,

Atlanta, Georgia!

(CHEERING AND CLAPPING)

JACK:

Now, now,

I believe that Billy the Wolfe

and Mildred Burke have somethin'

that they would

like to tell you.

(PUFFS SMOKE)

Hard work pays off.

Sometimes dreams come true.

Bad times don't last.

But bad guys do!

It may be August,

but in the ring, it's June!

The big bad wolf

ain't comin' into my house.

No longer a broken home

with broken bones.

This one?

He should've left alone.

With all you behind me,

I'll never stay down!

There's only one champ

that belt's leavin' around!

(CROWD CHEERING AND CLAPPING)

Mildred Burke!

The Kansas Cyclone!

This match

should be taking place

at the greatest arena there is.

Madison Square Garden.

I'm not staying

for the fight, Joe.

I'm goin' to New York

to get that ban lifted.

Well, if anyone can turn them.

Yeah.

I'll be cheering you

from Manhattan.

Don't let your mother

forget who she is.

Or who she has.

RING ANNOUNCER:

Ladies and gentlemen,

it's time for our main event.

This title match

for the undisputed championship

of the world

is best two out of three falls

and has a 60-minute time limit.

Listen Mildred,

you gotta watch yourself

in the clinches out there.

I don't trust this referee.

Don't let her get you up against

the ropes, no matter what.

Hold it up as high as you can

when we walk out.

Why?

Because we have one,

and they don't.

RING ANNOUNCER:

Making her way to the ring,

your reigning, defending,

champion of the world,

Mildred Burke!

(AUDIENCE CLAPPING)

(CLAPS)

(AUDIENCE CHEERING

AND WHISTLING)

Woo!

(CLAPPING)

Remember

what got you here.

I'll take heart over muscles

any day.

Mm-hmm.

Those muscles take a lot of

oxygen.

()

(INDISTINCT SHOUTING

AND CHEERING)

Rio!

Hit the bell!

(RING)

(AUDIENCE CHEERING)

Let's go.

FEMALE FAN:

Millie! Millie!

FAN:

We believe in you, Millie!

(INDISTINCT FAN SHOUTING)

(GRUNTING)

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

FAN:

Woo! Come on!

(GRUNTING)

(GRUNTING)

Off the ropes.

One, two, three, four.

Keep right.

-Let's go.

-(GROANS)

(AUDIENCE OOOHS)

One, two...

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

(SCREAMS)

FAN:

Millie!

Millie!

(SCREAMS)

Oh!

FAN:

Come on Millie!

(SCREAMS)

Off the ropes.

Off the ropes.

One, two...

Please get up. Please!

Let's go.

Come on, get up.

(GRUNTING)

REFEREE:

One...

Two...

FAN:

Come on Mil!

(AUDIENCE OOHS)

One...

Two...

Off the ropes.

Jesus Christ.

MAE:

Come on, Mil.

Come on mama, get up.

Come on, Mil.

Let's go, let's go.

Give her the fall.

REFEREE:

What?

Give her the fall.

No, Mom.

What are you doing?

(AUDIENCE BOOS)

Back to your corner.

First pinfall, June Byers.

Why is she doing that?

(BOOS)

(PANTING)

Can she continue?

Give us a g*dd*mn second.

I'll give you sixty,

then I'm calling it.

Okay. Hey, Mom, Mom,

look at me.

Look at me right here.

Okay.

Remember when I was little

and you used to say to me,

'It's all in your head.'

Okay. It's all in your head.

It's not in my head, Joe.

It feels like death!

It's completely out of place.

-Shut up and look at me.

-I can't!

-Shut up, Mom!

-I can't! I can't!

I'm going to give you three

seconds to feel sorry

for yourself.

Three seconds, you hear me, Mom?

Baby, I can't.

Grab onto Mae.

Okay.

Just count with me, okay?

One...

MILDRED:

One.

-JOE: Two.

-MILDRED: Two.

(BONES CRACK)

(SCREAMS)

(AUDIENCE OOHS)

You're the wind.

You're the wind.

How much time is left?

MAE:

Twenty three minutes.

Tape it.

()

She gets nothing else tonight.

()

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)

Yes!

Come on, Millie!

Millie!

Millie!

Millie!

AUDIENCE:

Millie! Millie! Millie! Millie!

Millie! Millie!

Millie! Millie!

Millie! Millie!

Millie! Millie!

Millie! Millie!

How's that knee working out

for you?

Let's try to keep it clean

for the rest of the night,

ladies.

I know.

This is the worst night of your

life.

You can make this next one quick

if you want.

Not the worst.

Because your boss

ain't mine anymore.

I'm a free woman.

Oh, the man you let take sweet

G. Bill away from you?

My gain.

(BELL RINGS)

Whoa!

Whoa!

That was lovely.

Watch the close fist.

Back to the corner.

You know,

it always feel that good?

It should have been a heel.

It's broke.

It's a broken nose.

It's a broken nose.

Ah!

Come one you.

Come one!

(AUDIENCE OOHS)

Billy can give you ideas,

but only I can give you breath!

Ah!

Ah!

One...

-Two...

-Ah!

(SCREAMS)

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

(GRUNTS)

(AUDIENCE GASPS)

One...

Two...

Put on the rope!

Rope break!

Two!

FAN:

Come on, Millie!

(SCREAMS)

(LAUGHING)

FAN:

Come on Millie!

(GRUNTS)

You ain't got a pin fall

in the next three minutes,

the commissioner is stopping

the match.

Nobody wants a draw.

Come on!

Two!

Three!

Four!

You might be the baddest

there is June,

but I'm the fourth of July,

b*tch!

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

(AUDIENCE GASPS)

One...

Two...

Three...

Four...

Hey, Billy!

She's giving up the ghost!

-Six!

-Off the ropes!

Seven!

-Eight!

-Get her off the ropes.

(CHEERING)

Get back!

Get off the ropes.

(GROANS)

Time's up!

Time's up!

Get in your corner.

Stop it! Time's up!

Back to your corner.

Knock it.

Back to your corner.

CROWD:

Millie! Millie! Millie! Millie!

Millie! Millie!

Millie! Millie!

Millie! Millie! Millie! Millie!

Millie! Millie!

Millie! Millie!

Millie! Millie! Millie! Millie!

Millie!

Ladies and gentlemen,

we are out of time.

Commissioner says...

Ladies and gentlemen!

I refuse to leave this ring!

()

I'm ready to wrestle all night

for my title!

(APPLAUSE)

June...

I need to get back out there.

Damn, come on!

You're the Texas Tornado.

Hey, hey!

Step away from my wife!

Okay?

She's had enough.

What do you want me to do, boss?

Burke ain't got no quit in her.

Look, we've already gone past

the time limit.

Byers has to win two out of

three falls to win the title.

If Burke won't quit

and Byers can't beat her,

I'm stopping this thing.

It's over. We're done.

Hell of a job, kid.

()

Ladies

and gentlemen,

Commissioner has stopped

the match due to the time limit.

Mildred Burke is officially...

Still the champion of the world!

(CROWD CHEERING)

-Yeah!

-That's my girl!

Whoa!

(LAUGHING)

We k*lled the wolf!

And I heard your voice

As clear as day

And you told me

I should concentrate

It was all so strange

Oh my God!

Impossible.

That a ghost should be...

We've never been ordinary mom

and we'll never will.

Ha, I love you.

Baby.

(CROWD CHEERING)

And the only solution

was to stand and fight

And my body was bruised

And I was set alight

But you came over me

like some holy rite

And although I was burning,

you're the only light

Only if for a night

And the grass was so green

against my new clothes

And I did cartwheels

in your honour

Dancing on tiptoes,

my own secret ceremonial

Before the service began

In the graveyard

doing handstands

And I heard your voice,

as clear as day

And you told me

I should concentrate

It was all so strange,

and so surreal

That a ghost

should be so practical

Only if for a night

And the only solution

was to stand and fight

And my body was bruised

and I was set alight

But you came over me

like some holy rite

And although I was burning,

you're the only light

Only if for a night

My doe, my dear, my darling

Tell me what all the sighing

is about

Tell me what

all the sighing is about

And I heard your voice,

as clear as day

And you told me

I should concentrate

It was all so strange,

and so surreal

That a ghost

should be so practical

Only if for a night

Yeah-yeah-yeah,

yeah-yeah-yeah

Only if for a night

Yeah-yeah-yeah,

yeah-yeah-yeah

Only if for a night

Yeah-yeah-yeah,

yeah-yeah-yeah

Only if for a night

Yeah-yeah-yeah,

yeah-yeah-yeah

Only if for a night

Yeah-yeah-yeah,

yeah-yeah-yeah

Only if for a night

Yeah-yeah-yeah,

yeah-yeah-yeah

Only if for a night

Yeah-yeah-yeah,

yeah-yeah-yeah

Only if for a night

Yeah-yeah-yeah,

yeah-yeah-yeah

Only if for a night

Yeah-yeah-yeah,

yeah-yeah-yeah

Only if for a night

Yeah-yeah-yeah,

yeah-yeah-yeah

Yeah

()

()

Oohhh-ooohhh

I just came to say

I'm sorry

I'll admit I did you wrong

This ain't easy

I drove all this way

For you

And in the night I

Swallow my fears

Slowly learning what

I thought what we felt

Ahhh-hooo

What happened to us

I thought you knew

Our love was lost

Well you know

I drown in my tears

Left this town,

everything's all upside down

What happened to us

I burned you

I played with fire

And I burned you

I can't lie it's heard

to see you

With another girl

Tell you I feel

like you never

knew me

Now she's your whole world

And all you wanted

came true

What I couldn't give you,

but I was playing with fire

And I burned you

Swallow my fears

Slowly learning

what I taught, what we felt

Oh, what happened

What happened to us,

I thought you knew

Our love was lost

well you know

I drowned in my tears

Left this town, everything's

all upside down

What happened to us,

I burned you

And I burned you

I played with fire,

and I burned you

What happened to us,

I thought you knew

Our love was lost

Well, you knowI drowned

in my tears

Left this town, everything's

all upside down

What happened to us,

I burned you

And I burned you

And I burned you

I played with fire,

and I burned you

Ohhh-ohhhh

Hooo-hooo-hooo

I burned you