All language subtitles for WWs Queen

(*)

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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 goddamn 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 illegal
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 illegal,

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 goddamn 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 ass.

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!

Fiancé 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 balls.

Oh, good,
because neither does she.

I fight boys.

I'll kiss a girl if
you want me to.

- You a lesbian?
- I'm an ass-kicker.

She's an ass-kicker.

Yeah, well,
if you are a lesbian,

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 fiancé.

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 bitch 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 goddamn 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 ass could ever
dream--

(SMACK)

(MILLIE GROANS)

BILLY:
Shit.

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 shit 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 goddamn 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 shoot match,

determine who has dominance
when it comes to the belt, but--

What do you mean
a shoot match?

Fight for real.

No script.

Shoot 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 bastards 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?

Shoot match.

Goddamn 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 shoot.

CLARA:
You bitch!

(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. Kill '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 "Kill 'Em" Gillem!

Kill '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 ass out
on the street.

JACK:
You gonna throw him where?

JACK AND JIM: (TOGETHER)
Throw his ass 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 queer,
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 shoot.

Mildred Bliss.

You do remember that, don't you?

Fuck you, Billy.

(THUMP)

- JOE: Shit.
- 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!

- Shit!
- Shit. 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 war.

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 shit, 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
bitch for nothin'.

I will start my own goddamn
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 goddamn 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,
bitch!

(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 killed 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 ♪