Netflix’s GLOW is not only based on an actual wrestling circuit from the 1980s, but it also features a number of characters based on real wrestlers. The series, created by Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch, stars a stellar cast of women portraying a wide variety of characters trying to make a name for themselves as performers. And it’s clear that the GLOW cast and crew did their research on the original Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling.
GLOW season 1 put a focus on the struggles in training to become a successful wrestler. Only a few women had experience with wrestling or stunt work before they were hired for the small-scale production. By season 2, the ladies effectively created their in-ring personas in the hopes of developing amusing storylines that Sam Sylvia (Marc Maron) could direct. With Bash Howard’s (Chris Lowell) producing leadership and funds, GLOW was able to move to Las Vegas and grow into a profitable endeavor.
Bash himself was actually based on GLOW’s creator, David McLane. Like McLane, Bash served as the in-ring announcer and commentator during GLOW’s live performances. Sam’s character was similarly inspired by a real-life member of the GLOW crew, Matt Cimber, the original director of the series. But the real stars of GLOW were the wrestlers since they were the ones who gave the circuit a cult-following. Here are all the Netflix characters who were based on real GLOW wrestlers from the 1980s.
Zoya The Destroya (Ruth Wilder) & Colonel Ninotchka (Lorilyn Palmer)
After struggling to create an in-ring persona, Ruth Wilder (Alison Brie) developed Zoya the Destroya at the end of GLOW season 1. Zoya was a Soviet caricature but the character was a hit with audiences who attended their live performances. Ruth’s character served as the main antagonist and often faced off against Debbie’s Liberty Belle for a Russia versus United States super-match. Zoya was based on the real GLOW wrestler, Colonel Ninotchka (played by Lorilyn Palmer), who similarly picked on the Cold War and “puny Americans.” Ruth’s costume was also heavily based on Palmer’s outfit from the ’80s.
Liberty Belle (Debbie Eagan) & Americana (Cindy Ferda)
Debbie Eagan (Betty Gilpin) jumped into the role of the lead protagonist, Liberty Belle, in GLOW season 1. As the innocent and patriotic Southern Belle, she often came out on top in the ring. Her main enemy was Zoya, to play with the on-going tension with the United States and Russia. Liberty Belle was influenced by Cindy Ferda’s GLOW character, Americana. Debbie’s red, white, and blue costume was based on Americana’s as a way to hone in on the patriotism. Liberty Belle was also inspired by characteristics through other GLOW wrestlers including The Southern Belles: Scarlet and Tara, and Babe the Farmer’s Daughter.
Machu Picchu (Carmen Wade) & Mt. Fiji (Emily Dole)
Carmen (Britney Young) has been the most skilled female wrestler in GLOW since her character was introduced. Her family’s background in the sport greatly helped but she also had an understanding of the importance of developing a worthwhile character to portray. Her portrayal as Machu Picchu was directly based on the original ’80s GLOW wrestler, Mt. Fiji. The character was played by Emily Dole and lasted throughout GLOW’s initial run. She rarely lost and was the center of many of the show’s gimmicks. Dole passed away in 2018 at the age of 60.
Black Magic (Cherry Bang) & Big Bad Mama (Lynn Braxton)
Cherry Bang (Sydelle Noel) first joined GLOW season 1 as a character named Junkchain. After leaving the production to explore a new acting role, she lost her persona to the newcomer, Yolanda. Cherry later returned and developed another in-ring persona, Black Magic, which she continued with through GLOW season 3. The voodoo practitioner was inspired by the real GLOW wrestler, Big Bad Mama, played by Lynn Braxton. She was one of the older wrestlers so she was perceived as the mother of the group. Big Bad Mama often faced off with Mt. Fiji and like Dole, she, too, passed away in her early 60s.
Sheila The She-Wolf & Matilda The Hun (Dee Booher)
Unlike the other women in GLOW, Sheila (Gayle Rankin) embodied her persona in all aspects of her life. Who she was in the ring was also who Sheila wanted to be in the outside world. She believed that she was spiritually a wolf until she shed the She-Wolf costume and wig in season 3. The animalistic wrestling persona was based on Dee Booher’s GLOW character, Matilda the Hun. Sheila wore a lot of furs just like Booher, and they both proclaimed their wild, feral-like demeanor during matches.
Britannica (Rhonda Richardson) & Zelda The Brain (Marie Moore)
Rhonda (Kate Nash) was the only British woman to win a role on Sam’s production of GLOW so she took on the role as the English genius, Britannica. The character became the focus on an in-ring storyline in GLOW season 2, which involved Britannica bringing a mannequin to life using her expert knowledge in science. Rhonda’s persona was directly based on Zelda the Brain, a character played by Marie Moore in the ’80s. The similarities in their outfits are almost uncanny. Britannica also shared characteristics from other wrestlers, such as Godiva.
Beirut The Mad Bomber (Arthie Premkumar) & Palestina (Janeen Jewett)
Along with The Welfare Queen and Fortune Cookie, Beirut the Mad Bomber was one of the more controversial characters in GLOW. Arthie (Sunita Mani) had concerns about portraying the stereotypical character due to the racial insults that came along with the gimmick. She later agreed to switch personas with another wrestler since she could no longer deal with the thought of portraying a terrorist. Beirut the Mad Bomber was influenced by Janeen Jewett’s GLOW character, Palestina, a derogatory villain known for stomping on the American flag.
Melrose (Melanie Rosen) & Hollywood (Jeanne Basone)
Melanie Rosen (Jackie Tohn) referred to herself as “Melanie Rose” when she first landed a role in Sam’s wrestling production. She was already a party girl, so developing her persona, Melrose, came naturally. Melrose had a rivalry with Jenny’s Fortune Cookie and the two later became good friends before heading to Las Vegas. Melrose was based on Jeanne Basone’s in-ring character, Hollywood. Both Melrose and Hollywood clearly took style inspiration from Madonna, based on the glitz and glam.
Vicky The Viking (Reggie Walsh) & Brunhilda (Deanne Murray)
Before Reggie (Marianna Palka) developed Vicky the Viking, she portrayed Liberty Belle. She was a skilled wrestler due to her background as an Olympic medalist but she lacked personality so Debbie took over the patriotic role. Vicky the Viking was loosely based on the GLOW character Brunhilda, played by Deanne Murray. Like her Netflix counterpart, Brunhilda wore a Viking helmet as part of her gimmick.
Beatdown Biddies (Dawn Rivecca & Stacey Beswick) & Housewives (Sharon & Donna Willinsky)
Dawn and Stacey (Rebekka Johnson and Kimmy Gatewood) were frequently the resident jokers during GLOW’s development stages. They took their comedy as a way to develop their elderly tag team, Edna and Ethel Rosenblatt aka, The Beatdown Biddies. The duo was directly based on The Housewives, a real team from GLOW portrayed by Sharon and Donna Wilinsky. In GLOW season 2, Dawn and Stacey transformed in The Toxic Twins: Nuke and Ozone, a nod to Sharon and Donna’s other characters, The Heavy Metal Sisters: Chainsaw and Spike. The comedic duo switched back to The Beatdown Biddies before the gals moved to Sin City.
Next: What To Expect From GLOW Season 4
