Imagine your dream is to win the inaugural Pennsylvania girls’ state wrestling championships, only to have one of your best friends standing in the way. That’s the subject of a new documentary called “Iron Maidens: Wrestling For Glory.” 

Avry Ryhal of Hickory High School and Leyna Rumpler of North Allegheny started at different weight classes and ended with a heated four-match series during the 2023-24 wrestling season. The film explores universal themes of friendship, rivalry, struggle, and breaking barriers. 

“The film shows the duality of wrestling because it shows triumph and defeat,” Rumpler said. 

“Iron Maidens" also grapples with Pennsylvania’s resistance to sanctioning girls’ high school wrestling, using interviews with key figures who were instrumental in making it finally happen.

Producer and director Tony Melanson did the sport a favor by creating this film. It's an important watch to understand human nature and the advancement of women’s wrestling.

Watch the above interview with Ryhal and Rumpler to learn more about their experiences facing each other while the cameras were rolling. 

Watch below for a 30-second trailer for “Iron Maidens.”

The film is available to watch on Amazon Prime by clicking here. 

Visit the documentary's website here. 

Click here for the film’s IMDB page.