Netflix series explores women's dreams in the body-slamming world of Japanese pro wrestling

TOKYO (AP) -- "The Queen of Villains" is a typical coming-of-age tale about a young woman's road to empowerment and self-discovery -- except it all takes place in the body-slamming, arm-twisting world of Japanese professional wrestling. The Netflix series tells the story of Dump Matsumoto, a real-life wrestling legend from the 1980s who grew up poor with an abusive father. She went on to create in her wrestling persona a ferocious, almost camp villain character, known in the sport as a "heel," complete with outlandish Kabuki-like facial makeup, chains, sticks and a grotesque scowl. She loomed large as a symbol of fearless and defiant womanhood. "I gave it my all to be evil," Matsumoto said.