Trading cards featuring guys named Rowdy Roddy Piper, Ric Flair, The Undertaker and of course Hulk Hogan were as popular as baseball cards come recess time. It all seemed supremely stupid and then this past April while at a bar in Mexico, I saw this.
I thought, “Damn ladies, I hope you are making a shit ton of cash because that’s nuts.” Shockingly, just as many people in the bar were watching women’s wrestling as were watching the Cleveland Cavs beat the Indiana Pacers. The wrestling was sort of amusing but there was a lot of tequila flowing among the tourists. As one sports fan jumped up and yelled “Go Cavs” when they claimed their victory, my husband jumped up and yelled “Go Alexa” as she claimed hers.
Like I said, lots of tequila. However, it was this goofy night of watching drunk tourists watch WWE Raw that made me sit down and watch the Netflix series GLOW.
Here are the things I love about GLOW:
Women at the Helm
It’s a show about women, developed by women. Score! Not only are the creators, Liz Fahive and Carly Mensch, female, but 60% of the episodes are directed by women and 80% written by women.
Strong Female Characters
Although on the surface, women’s wrestling can seem exploitative or degrading, these women have power.
They are strong and athletic far beyond what I realized it took to participate in this kind of entertainment. Ruth, played by Alison Brie, needs a job as her acting career is not taking off. Former soap star Debbie, played by Betty Gilpin, is pulling her life back together after a stunning betrayal. Some of the women are there to support themselves and others have a true affection for wrestling.
When these ladies come up against challenges, watch out.
They fight to be heard or if that fails, they just take over and change things themselves. The characters grow as individuals and as a team. You can’t help but root for them.
Awesome 80’s Costumes
Loosely based on the 2012 documentary, GLOW: The Story of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, this fictionalized version of the 1985 birth of GLOW, is 80’s nostalgia at its finest. Just like Elizabeth Jennings on The Americans shows us how to rock 80’s chic,
GLOW gives us the best in fitness wear and leotards.
Fantastic Soundtrack
GLOW is backed by the familiar tunes of Roxette, The Go-Go’s, Billy Joel, Tears for Fears, Scandal, Pat Benatar and many more.
So pull on your leg warmers, pop open a Tab and check out GLOW.
Written by Leanne
Current Obsessions: Leanne is a wife, mother of 2 and currently unemployed. Her writing has been featured at GirlBodyPride.com and The Huffington Post. She is currently avoiding writing a memoir of her summer as an exchange student. Follow her nowhere, because that would be stalking, as she does not tweet, blog or insta. She doesn’t even own a smartphone!
