Netflix is releasing a new series titled ‘The Queen of Villains’, which chronicles a young woman’s entry into professional wrestling and her evolution into a notorious villain. The series draws inspiration from the life of Dump Matsumoto, a real-life professional wrestler who rose to infamy in Japan during the 1980s.
The show centres around Kaoru Matsumoto, a girl with dreams of becoming a wrestler, who encounters numerous challenges and injustices in her personal and professional life. As she battles against oppressive forces, including her employers and father, Matsumoto’s anger and frustration intensify, prompting her to channel these emotions into a villainous persona in the wrestling ring.
‘The Queen of Villains’ examines the cultural significance of Matsumoto’s wrestling character, especially her notorious match against Chigusa Nagayo, known as the Hair vs. Hair Death Match. This historic bout remains etched in Japanese wrestling history, and the series explores the social and cultural backdrop of the time, providing insight into the lives of these female wrestlers and their influence on the sport.
The series is a Netflix production and is scheduled to debut on Thursday, September 19, 2024. It is directed by Kazuya Shiraishi and Katsuhito Mogi, with Osamu Suzuki as the developer, producer, and writer. The cast features Yuriyan Retriever, Erika Karata, Ayame Goriki, Nobuko Sendo, Takuma Otoo, Daisuke Kuroda, Takumi Saitoh, and Jun Murakami.
