Publisher's Synopsis
Women's pro wrestling has actually existed in the USA since 1937, when Mildred Burke won the original World Women's title. Since then, it has spread around the globe, from lucha libre in Mexico to joshi in Japan and the Fighting Cholitas in Bolivia. Today, women's pro wrestling has gained new prominence in mainstream America, where just last year the WWE unveiled a new women's championship belt, freeing female pro wrestlers from the 90s-era name of "Divas" and beginning a new era in which female talent is referred to as "Superstars" and female wrestling schools around the globe embrace the sport as a new form of performance art that is getting more exposure (and respect) than ever before. Moreover, increasing numbers of writers and artists are re-investigating female pro wrestling's origins, including Orange is the New Black creator Jenji Kohan's new Netflix series, 'GLOW', based on a female wrestling troupe from the '80s.
