Saturday GLOWcase: Cheryl Rusa: Lightning's Electrifying Journey Through GLOW and Beyond

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This week's Saturday GLOWcase shines a spotlight on someone truly remarkable—the fast, fierce and unforgettable Cheryl Rusa, known to fans as Lightning from GLOW (Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling). But Cheryl is far more than the flashy lights, spandex costumes and wrestling fame you might associate with her. My connection with Cheryl goes deeper, to the shared laughter, camaraderie and unforgettable experiences that have made her a true friend.

Our paths first crossed during the inaugural GLOW cruise in 2016, and from the moment we met, I knew there was something special about Cheryl, aside from seeing her on TV as a kid. Since that day, life has brought us together for four incredible cruises, each one packed with laughter echoing across the waves, late-night phone calls and memories that I’ll never forget. She told great behind the scenes stories as well as shared some great stories of adventures with other GLOW girls, including a time where she accidentally ran over a woman in a park. The lady didn't sustain injuries that required an ambulance but it made for an epic story for sure. I ran over her glasses while we raced go-karts high above the ocean, played like kids on waterslides and chuckled over Cheryl’s unapologetic indulgence in "less-than-healthy" ship restaurant treats while attempting to school me on clean eating. These moments didn’t just highlight her fun side—they showed the depth of her warmth, energy and authenticity.

Standing at just under 100 pounds, Cheryl may be petite, but don't let that fool you. She’s a force of nature, a determined competitor both inside and outside the ring and someone I admire endlessly for her strength, tenacity and infectious spirit. Her story is one of passion, grit and unrelenting determination—a journey that took her from California to the ring as Lightning, one of GLOW’s most beloved characters. And trust me, the road that led her there is just as electric as she is.

Cheryl with Matt Cimber & MTV

Before Cheryl became Lightning, her life was a whirlwind of creativity and determination. As a personal trainer at Future Fitness in Redondo Beach, she worked alongside bodybuilding icons like Ray and Mike Mentzer. But Cheryl wasn’t just focused on fitness—her artistic talents flourished in window paintings, airbrushed T-shirts and even acting classes. She was a true Renaissance woman, channeling her energy into every creative endeavor she could find.

The discovery of GLOW was pure Cheryl—playful banter mixed with an undeniable spark of defiance. When the show first aired on Saturday mornings, her boyfriend urged her to watch, but Cheryl dismissed it as “stupid.” His response? “You’re just jealous they’re on TV and you’re not.” That playful jab lit a fire in her. After watching the show a week later, Cheryl thought, "I can do that." She told her boyfriend, who laughed and said, “They’d kick your ass!” Her resolute response—“Nah Ah!”—was the start of something extraordinary.

Soon after, Cheryl spotted a casting call at the end of the show and decided to take action. She threw together her resume and photo, sent it in and received the call that would change her life. After multiple auditions, Cheryl found herself in Las Vegas, immersed in grueling wrestling training that combined physicality with acting exercises and constant character development. The early days were chaotic, with cast changes and challenges, but Cheryl’s unique mix of strength and agility made her hard to categorize. They floated the name “Lightning Bug”—but Cheryl quickly vetoed it.


Cheryl doing Johnny C's makeup, I had to share this one

Cheryl’s transformation into Lightning was nothing short of serendipity. Sally the Farmer’s Daughter, who made her return to GLOW in season 3 after stepping away before season 2 was filmed, brought her friend Dana along for auditions. Dana ultimately took on the persona of Thunderbolt and writer Steve Blance—drawing inspiration from the movie Thunderbolt and Lightfoot—conceived the perfect pairing of Thunderbolt and Lightning.

For Cheryl, embracing the Lightning character was second nature. A devoted fan of campy classics like Batman and Robin, she infused the role with playful, goodie-two-shoes charm and a spark of electricity. Not one to hold back, Cheryl even dove into graphic novels to refine and expand her character’s persona, pouring her creativity into every detail. With Dana as Thunderbolt by her side, the duo electrified the GLOW ring and became a memorable tag-team sensation.


Lightning’s journey didn’t stop with her tag-team matches. Cheryl ventured into singles wrestling, mastering her skills and building confidence with each match. Though GLOW’s fourth season marked an initial “ending,” Cheryl’s wrestling career continued in surprising ways. She wrestled in Japan, transitioned into Indie Wrestling circuits and ultimately evolved into “Lightning the Party Animal” for a GLOW pay-per-view event, blending her musical background and natural charisma. Cheryl became the AIWA & PCCW Women’s Champion and found herself wrestling across the world.

But Cheryl is someone who thrives on challenges and when wrestling took a back seat, she ventured into Hollywood stunts—a career she still flourishes in today. Her impressive credits include work on shows like Criminal Minds and 24 and films like Spiderman and The Devil’s Rejects. Alongside her Hollywood adventures, she’s also an accomplished Group X-Trainer and a lifelong artist, creating everything from window paintings to pumpkin artistry.


Cheryl’s incredible journey proves that passion, determination and laughter can take you anywhere. She’s a true inspiration, a loyal friend and a woman who lights up every room she enters. What are your favorite memories of Lightning? Do you have memories of Cheryl from her time on GLOW or beyond? Share your thoughts in the comments below—I’d love to hear from you! And if you enjoy these GLOWcase spotlights and feel inspired by the stories, consider sending a spark of appreciation to keep the lights shining. Every little bit helps to keep the blog alive and the stories coming.




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