The Real Wrestlers of GLOW

Last year Netflix dropped GLOW, a 10 part comedy drama based on The Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, a weekly all women wrestling show from the Eighties. The show boasted a number of names involved such as Orange is the New Black Creator Jenji Kohan, comedian and podcaster Marc Maron, and Community star Alison Brie, but there were also a number of real-life grapplers involved as well.

Let’s take a look…

Awesome Kong

The only member of the main cast to actually have a background in wrestling is Kia Stevens best known as Awesome Kong during her time with TNA or Amazing Kong while performing in Japan, and also had a stint in WWE under the ring name Kharma. Stevens was named number one in the first Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 50 Females list.

Stevens is almost unrecognisable as Tammé "The Welfare Queen" Dawson, a very different character from her in ring monster persona.

John Morrison

The man with many names John Hennigan is best known as John Morrison, a moniker he used while wrestling with WWE due to his resemblance to The Doors frontman Jim Morrison, much in the same way Rob Van Damme’s ring name comes from his resemblance to action star Jean-Claude Van Damme. Hennigan though changes his name regularly depending on which promotion he’s wrestling for at the time, Currently he performs for Lucha Undgerground and Impact Wrestling under the names Johnny Mundo and Johnny Impact respectively, but has also been known as Johnny Nitro and Johnny Blaze among others.

Hennigan appears in the first episode as wrestling trainer Salty ‘The Sack’ Johnson.

Tyrus

George Murdoch is probably best known as Brodus Clay, the name he used during his time with WWE, however in recent years he's performed under the name Tyrus. While Brodus Clay was more of a fun loving character, Tyrus is often used in a Bodyguard/hired muscle capacity. Murdoch has stepped away from wrestling a little recently acting in GLOW, Preacher and Syn, and appearing as a regular panellist on The Greg Gutfeld Show.

Murdoch appears in episodes four & seven as Mighty Tom Jackson, wrestling brother to Britteny Young’s Carmen "Machu Picchu" Wade.

Carlito

Puerto Rician Carlos Edwin Colón Jr has primarily performed for his father’s wrestling promotion World Wrestling Council in his home country and for the behemoth that his WWE, but is also seen performing on the independent circuit.

Carlito also appears in episodes four & seven as Carmen’s other wrestling brother Big Kurt Jackson.

Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian

Daniels & Kazarian are best known for their time with TNA and Ring of Honour, appearing both as singles competitors and as a tag team. During his various stints with TNA Kazarian also performed as masked wrestler Suicide, a high-flying risk taker who has since been portrayed by a number of wrestlers, including Daniels. Daniels has also performed as a third character named Curry Man, a comedy character often used as enhancement talent.

Daniels, wearing the tights from the Curry Man costume, and Kazarian are seen wrestling one another in episode five when Carmen takes Debbie & Melrose to a wrestling show.

Joey Ryan & Laura James

Joseph Ryan Meehan’s sleezy alter-ego Joey Ryan has performed in every promotion worth mentioning including WWE, TNA and Ring of Honour. He currently works for Lucha Underground, as well as appearing in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, a Californian outfit he founded with a number of other wrestlers.

Ryan also appears in episode Five as wrestler Mr. Monopoly who enters the ring with his valet Crystal played by Ryan’s real-life wife and fellow wrestler Laura James.

Alex Riley

Finally in episode five we have Mr, Monopoly’s opponent Steel Horse, played by Kevin Robert Kiley Jr, otherwise known by his ring name Alex Riley. Riley is possibly the least recognisable wrestler on the list despite his extensive time as both competitor and commentator for WWE.

Brooke Hogan

Although not strictly a wrestler Brooke Boella is the daughter of the wrestling royalty Hulk Hogan, and while her father was a major player in TNA Brooke also became on screen talent, becoming the head of the woman’s division and Kayfabe wife of Ace’s & Eights leader Bully Ray a.k.a. Bubba Ray Dudley of The Dudley Boyz.

Hogan appears as the venue manager in episode eight.

Have you watched GLOW? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below