Lady Wrestler: The Story Behind the Story

Did you know Jet Magazine published an article about the black women who integrated pro wrestling in 1952 - almost 70 years before the "Lady Wrestler" documentary was released? To get your copy of this piece of history, click here To watch the "Lady Wrestler" documentary on Amazon Prime Video, click here.

Recent attention that Olympic athletes Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka and Sha'Carri Richardson garnered for focusing on their mental health is reminiscent of the experiences of the African-American women who integrated pro wrestling in the 1950s.Read Lisa Respers France's insightful CNN column "All the Black Women in Us Are Tired" by clicking here.Watch the documentary "Lady Wrestler: The Amazing, Untold Story of African-American Women in the Ring" on Amazon Prime Video by clicking here.

This episode is a special tribute to wrestling legend Ethel Brown, who passed away the week of July 19, 2021.For more information about the documentary "Pin Down Girl: The Story of Ethel Brown," which was directed by her daughter Fyffe Aschenbrenner, click here.To watch Ethel Brown's commentary in the documentary "Lady Wrestler: The Amazing, Untold Story of African-American Women in the Ring," click here.To read Ethel Brown's Slam Wrestling obituary, click here.

Wrestling star Trish Adora shares her experiences fighting for equality inside and outside the ring.Follow Trish Adora on Instagram.Watch Trish Adora in the "Southside Suplex" documentary.Stream the "Lady Wrestler" documentary on Amazon Prime Video.

Wrestling podcasters Nick Alexander, co-host of the 10 Bell Pod Pod podcast, and John Orlando, host of the PVDcast, weigh in on why women's wrestling appeals to male fans and the status of women in the industry. The episode also features a sneak peek of my upcoming interview with wrestling star Trish Adora about the ongoing battle for Black women to win equal pay and respect in the industry.For the full story of the history of African-American women in pro wrestling, stream the "Lady Wrestler" documentary on Amazon Prime Video.

In this episode, wrestling superstar Roni Nicole shares her perspective on how to bring about true, lasting equity in the wrestling industry and society at large for women, especially women of color.Follow Roni Nicole on Twitter.Watch the "Lady Wrestler" documentary on Amazon Prime Video.

For those of us who support women's wrestling, what can we do to help women – especially women of color – continue to make gains in the industry and receive their much-deserved respect?Offering his perspective is Daryl Johnson, aka Tha Real Docta D, nationally known wrestling commentator and advocate, and host of Docta D's Wrestling Showcase.Follow ThaRealDoctaD on InstagramWatch the documentary "Lady Wrestler: The Amazing, Untold  Story of African-American Women in the Ring" on Amazon Prime Video.

What it will take to bring about continued progress for women – especially women of color – in the wrestling industry? In this episode, wrestling superstar Amber Rodriguez shares her perspective.Since her 2012 debut, Amber has become known for signature moves such as the Tequila Sunrise and Push-Up Facebuster. Her nicknames include the “Boricua Princess" and “The Bronx Bombshell.” Her championships include winning Maryland Championship Wrestling and MCW Women's Championship. Follow Amber Rodriguez on Facebook.Watch the "Lady Wrestler" documentary on Amazon Prime Video.

The "Lady Wrestler" documentary chronicles how Black women integrated pro wrestling in the 1950s and '60s. But what will it take for women who are walking in the footsteps of the original legends to advance? In this episode, Duke of the  Duke Loves Rasslin podcast gives his perspective.Catch Duke Loves Rasslin at https://www.iheart.com/podcast/966-duke-loves-rasslin-50235289/Stream the "Lady Wrestler" documentary on Amazon Prime Video. 

What is the future of women's wrestling? Is the industry equaling the progress that has been made in society as a whole in recent years, or are there still areas in need of improvement? This is a preview episode to an exciting series of interviews coming up featuring wrestling stars Roni Nicole and Amber Rodriguez and wrestling commentator Daryl "ThaRealDoctaD" Johnson and hosts from the podcasts Duke Loves Rasslin, PVDCast, and 10 Bell Pod.For more information, visit the Lady Wrestler website. And get the whole story by streaming the "Lady Wrestler" documentary on Amazon Prime Video. 

How did the Black women who broke racial and gender boundaries in pro wrestling in the 1950s train like gladiators before tailor-made workouts, scientifically-designed supplements, special diets and other modern-day conveniences that athletes rely on today? Find out in this episode! To get the full story, watch the "Lady Wrestler" documentary on Amazon Prime Video. 

In last week's episode that paid homage to legendary athletes who Columbus, Ohio, on the map, how the hell did we leave out the Heavyweight Champion of the World! In this episode, find out what boxing legends Mike Tyson and Buster Douglas and football great Bill Willis have in common. And the connection those record-busting men share with the trailblazing Black women who integrated pro westling in the '50s.Learn more about this history by watching the "Lady Wrestler" documentary on Amazon Prime Video. When you watch, if you would be kind enough to leave a review, that helps more people discover their amazing story. 

How did Columbus, Ohio, nurture the talents of legendary athletes like 2021 WWE Hall of Fame Inductee Ethel Johnson, Olympic gold medalist Jesse Owens, Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin, and superstar bodybuilder and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger?  Find out in this episode. To hear Ethel Johnson describe her upbringing in Columbus and how she and her sisters got into the business, watch the documentary "Lady Wrestler: The Amazing, Untold Story of African-American Women in the Ring" on Amazon Prime Video.

How did Columbus, Ohio, nurture the talents of wrestling legends like 2021 WWE Hall of Fame Inductee Ethel Johnson, her older sister Babs Wingo and younger sister Marva Scott? Find out in this episode. To hear Ethel Johnson describe her upbringing in Columbus and how she and her sisters got into the business, watch the documentary "Lady Wrestler: The Amazing, Untold Story of African-American Women in the Ring" on Amazon Prime Video. 

2021 WWE Ethel Johnson's eldest daughter, Shelly Adams, her niece, Kim Goodwin Martin, and her granddaughter, Michaiah Goodwin set the record straight about the legacy of Ms. Johnson and Ms. Johnson's sisters Babs Wingo and Marva Scott, who were wrestling legends in their own right.For more information, visit LadyWrestlerMovie.com.  And you can hear Ethel Johnson share her story in her own words in the documentary "Lady Wrestler: The Amazing, Untold Story of African-American Women in the Ring" on Amazon Prime Video. You can find out more about wrestling legend Marva Scott on Instagram at @therealmarvascott and follow her daughter Kim Goodwin Martin on Twitter at @KimLilSistaFollow Micaiah Goodwin on Twitter at @missezrenee

Ethel Johnson, who is featured in the documentary "Lady Wrestler: The Amazing, Untold Story of African-American Women in the Ring," was inducted into the 2021 WWE Hall of Fame. This episode of the podcast "Lady Wrestler: The Story Behind the Story" is a tribute to Ms. Johnson and includes her interview clips from the documentary.Watch the documentary on Amazon Prime VideoFor more information about the documentary, click here.

In this episode, hear never-before-released interview clips with wrestling legend Ethel Brown. And Chris Bournea, director of the "Lady Wrestler" documentary, shares his hilarious (in retrospect) story of getting lost in Atlanta on a hot summer day after interviewing Ms. Brown.See more of Ethel Brown's insightful interview by watching the feature-length documentary "Lady Wrestler: The Amazing, Untold Story of African-American Women in the Ring" on Amazon Prime Video. For more information, visit Ladywrestlermovie.com.

In this episode, “Lady Wrestler” director Chris Bournea shares behind-the-scenes stories from the making of the documentary. Like the time when he interviewed wrestling legend Ramona Isbell – and forgot to turn on her mic! Be sure to catch the “Lady Wrestler” documentary on Amazon Prime Video, and please rate and review the movie so that more people can discover this chapter of American history.  

This episode describes the impact that trailblazing Black women wrestlers made on history. Featuring interview clips with wrestling legends Ethel Johnson and Ramona Isbell, Ohio State University African-American Studies professor Hasan Jeffries, and Washington Post reporter Jeff Leen. Leen is the author of the acclaimed book “Queen of the Ring,” a biography of Mildred Burke, the first women's world wrestling champion and wife of notorious promoter Billy Wolfe. You can learn more in the feature-length documentary “Lady Wrestler: The Amazing, Untold Story of African-American Women in the Ring,” now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.  

In this episode, author, filmmaker and entrepreneur extraordinaire Raymond Lambert joins “Lady Wrestler” director Chris Bournea to discuss the importance of telling African-American stories.Chris and Raymond collaborated on the critically acclaimed book “All Jokes Aside,” about Raymond's star-making Chicago comedy club of the same name. Raymond also produced “Phunny Business,” a Showtime documentary about the comedy club, and a PBS American Masters documentary about the legendary Maya Angelou. His latest project is a documentary about Harold Washington, Chicago's first Black mayor.If you haven't already, please watch the “Lady Wrestler” documentary on Amazon Prime Video, rate the movie and write a review so that more people can discover this lost chapter of history. 

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