On this episode of World Champions Podcast I'll take a look into the life of the one and only Mildred 'Cyclone' Burke, a woman who not only defined what a woman wrestling champion should be but upped the ante for every male champion out there. She wasn't the first, though: women like the strongwoman Minerva, Cora Livingston, and Barbara Ware preceded her in breaking social taboos and grappling. Burke was the first one to make a real living at it and become a true star, and in her wake came many other top wrestlers like Nell Stewart, Babs Wingo, and Mae Young. Still, the choking hand of paternalism always hovered, and for Burke it was made manifest in a horn-rimmed hustler named Billy Wolfe. If you have a dollar or two to spare, please consider a donation to help keep the World Champions Podcast running. Thanks!