WWE SmackDown icon Naomi recently gave fans a glimpse of her character in the forthcoming biopic movie, ‘Queen Of The Ring.’ The movie offers a dramatized narrative of the life of Mildred Burke, who was known as one of the pioneering female wrestlers of her time, and will be played by Emily Bett Rickards of Arrow fame.
Naomi took to Instagram to share a still from the film wherein she essays the role of Ethel Johnson. Johnson, noted for wrestling from the 1950s to the 1970s, holds the historic distinction of being the first African American woman’s champion in the documented history of wrestling.
Johnson’s illustrious career saw her hold the NWA Women’s World Tag Team Titles with June Byers and challenge Burke for the NWA Women’s World Title. Unfortunately, she passed away due to heart disease on September 14, 2018, in Columbus, Ohio. Her phenomenal contributions to the sport were recognized posthumously when she was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2021.
The movie will also feature several other key figures from wrestling history, portrayed by notable names: Kamille as Byers, Toni Storm as Clara Mortensen, and Britt Baker as Debbie Nichols are among other cast members.