Dancing Through the Decades: Manuel Briano's Heartwarming GLOW Adventure

Welcome to this week’s Saturday GLOWcase. Today, I’m excited to share the story of my dear friend Manuel Briano, affectionately known as Manny. Manny is one of the sweetest people I know and remains neutral amidst the various dynamics among GLOW fans and personalities. So, let’s dive into this heartwarming tale about a true GLOW fan and an incredible friend.

Manny first discovered GLOW's first season when he was 11 years old while watching WWF on the weekends. Growing up in San Diego, he watched GLOW on XETV Channel 6 and KCOP Channel 13. Unfortunately, these stations only televised seasons 1 and 2, so Manny missed out on seasons 3 and 4 until the internet era. Thank you very much to the fans who have had the ability to record the episodes on videotape. In 1988, GLOW toured San Diego twice, and Manny’s mom took him and his brother to see the GLOW girls both times. This experience solidified his love for GLOW.

Despite collecting all the GLOW magazines and watching the GLOW girls on talk shows, Manny was unfamiliar with the new GLOW girls until he discovered episodes from seasons 3 and 4 through a well-known seller among wrestling fans named Manzerman, who sold VHS tapes. Manny eagerly purchased GLOW and POWW episodes, immersing himself in the world of GLOW.

On his 12th or 13th birthday, Manny received a special treat—a GLOW-themed birthday cake made by George’s Wonderful World Of Cakes in National City, CA. This cake was a delightful surprise that featured two women from the GLOW series, making it a memorable part of his birthday celebration.

Manny with GLOW Director, Matt Cimber

Manny's favorite wrestler is Americana, and he particularly loved the intense matches between Americana and Ninotchka. He vividly recalls screaming at the TV in excitement when Americana pinned Ninotchka in their first match. It was one of those moments that solidified his passion for GLOW.

One of Manny's favorite sketches was "Asking Ashley," even though he didn't always understand the adult humor as a kid. The comedic elements and quirky characters made it a memorable part of his GLOW experience. Like many GLOW fans, Manny also feared the Heavy Metal Sisters. Their fierce personas and intimidating presence left a lasting impression on him, a sentiment shared by many in the GLOW community.

A group shot of GLOW fans with Manny representing his favorite, Americana

In his eagerness to connect with the GLOW girls, Manny used to call GLOW’s 900 number without parental permission. Much like myself, he made those calls from his grandparent's home, though I made calls pretty much anywhere I could dial the number. When his uncle discovered the phone bill, Manny never admitted it was him who made the calls, even though it was probably obvious who the culprit was. This little secret added a mischievous twist to his GLOW fan journey.

Manny has been on multiple GLOW cruises, forging lasting friendships with the GLOW girls and fellow fans. He’s met many original GLOW personalities, including his favorite, Americana, and has even purchased four of her paintings, which are proudly displayed in his living room.

Much like myself, Manny has always been curious about the fans in the televised audience from the Riviera Hotel, wondering about their stories. During my time working and living in Las Vegas, I walked through the Riviera Hotel and asked a few employees about GLOW. Despite its iconic status in television history, I only found one person who worked at the hotel during that time. She mentioned that it wasn’t there long and she barely remembered it.

I would love for anyone who sat in the audience to contact me so I could add their stories to our GLOW stories. Their experiences would be a valuable addition to our shared history and memories.
Back in the 1980s, Manny was disappointed that no official GLOW girl action figures were created—a sentiment shared by many fans, including myself. However, a couple of years ago, a talented individual named Wanda Maness began creating GLOW action figures and even made custom figures of Americana and David McLane for Manny, fulfilling one of his long-held wishes.

Like most original GLOW fans, Manny hopes that all four seasons of GLOW will be released, along with the unaired matches that Matt Cimber and others have mentioned are still in existence. The anticipation of seeing these unaired matches keeps the GLOW spirit alive among devoted fans.
Manny loves Netflix’s GLOW series and was disappointed when the fourth season was canceled during production. He has always enjoyed seeing strong and empowering women on television, which is why GLOW holds a special place in his heart.

I met Manny in Long Beach, California, on the night of a party featuring the ladies of GLOW. David McLane was also there, not to meet fans or attend the party, but by chance, on the beautiful Queen Mary before setting sail on the Carnival Imagination in 2016. Since then, Manny and I have cruised together with the ladies of GLOW in 2017 on the Norwegian Dawn from New Orleans, in 2018 on the Norwegian Breakaway from New York, and again in 2024 on the Norwegian Encore from Miami. Manny is one of the most fun people to hang out with, and he absolutely loves to dance. We share a mutual love for Paula Abdul, whom we’ve both had the pleasure of meeting at different times in our lives.

I hope you enjoyed getting to know Manny and his incredible GLOW journey. Manny is active on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, and you can find him at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manuel.briano
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mannyb175
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/MannyB175

If you have similar stories or memories of your own, please share them in the comments below. Your feedback and shared experiences help build a wonderful community. If you'd like to support this effort, your contributions are greatly appreciated. Even small gestures of support mean a lot as we continue this journey of storytelling and connection. Thank you! ❤️

You can also find me on the following social media platforms:
https://www.facebook.com/adrianduarte
https://bsky.app/profile/adriansknitwits.bsky.social
https://www.instagram.com/adriansknitwits
https://www.threads.net/adriansknitwits

Saturday GLOWcase: A Tribute from a Loyal Fan - Jennifer Chiola

Welcome to another Saturday GLOWcase! Today, I'm thrilled to feature not just the incredible Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (GLOW) and their production team, but also the loyal fans who have a deep connection to GLOW from its original run. Meet Jennifer Chiola, whose story beautifully captures the impact of GLOW on her life.

Jennifer has been a GLOW fan since she was 8 years old. Now 48, she reflects on how glad she is that GLOW was around when it was. Her dad, a tugboat captain, was often away, so they only got to spend about three months together each year. During those precious times, their shared love for wrestling, including GLOW and Saturday Night's Main Event, became a cherished bonding experience. They would sing the main rap song for the opening of the show as soon as it came on, creating lasting memories.

Jennifer’s dad knew the late Johnny Weaver, and they would always go to an old high school gym where Mr. Weaver would give them ringside seats. They saw several male legends of wrestling together. Jennifer fondly remembers, "His favorite thing he ever saw was when Hulk Hogan slammed Andre the Giant at Wrestlemania. We had to go to a special auditorium to see it on the big screen because pay-per-view was not available."

Jennifer fondly recalls the skits where the ladies of GLOW would answer "fan" letters sent to them. One of the greatest joys of her life has been connecting with Jeanne Basone (Hollywood) on Twitter a couple of years ago. Hollywood's sincerity, honesty, and kindness have touched Jennifer deeply. I can attest to Hollywood’s character as well; she’s a great friend to me too. Jennifer knows her dad, who passed away when she was 13, would be proud of this connection. Despite never meeting in person, Jennifer and Hollywood have become genuine friends, showing that the GLOW wrestlers are real people, just like us.

GLOW changed Jennifer's life and helped create memories that she'll always cherish. She believes the younger generation of women wrestlers should always remember the trailblazing efforts of the GLOW ladies. Without their paving the way, modern female wrestlers would still be walking on dirt. Jennifer's gratitude to the ladies of GLOW, and especially to Hollywood, is boundless.

Jennifer’s story is a testament to the profound impact GLOW has had on its fans. Over the years, Jennifer and I have also become friends, and I hope to one day meet her, perhaps at one of the GLOW events.

As we celebrate these incredible memories, I invite you to share your own stories and experiences of G.L.O.W. Whether you met any of the wrestlers in person, watched their mesmerizing performances, or were inspired by their strength and charisma, I would love to hear from you. Feel free to leave comments and share your memories of GLOW. Let's honor these incredible women, crew and fans together! If you feel inspired to support our efforts in keeping the spirit of G.L.O.W. alive, your contributions in any form are greatly appreciated. Every little bit helps me continue sharing these stories and celebrating the legacy of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling. Thank you for being a part of this wonderful community!

Saturday GLOWcase: Rick Howard Jr.'s Passion for GLOW

Today, I want to shine a spotlight on my friend Rick Howard Jr., a devoted fan of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (GLOW) and someone I've had the pleasure of knowing online for many years. Rick and I finally met in person in March during a cruise with the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, and it's a memory I'll always hold close to my heart. Here's Rick's captivating story about being a GLOW superfan, based on the information he shared with me.

Rick with Hollywood

When GLOW debuted at midnight on a Saturday night, Rick's dad waited until his mom fell asleep and woke him up to watch the new show with his firstborn son. Little did Rick's dad know that this would spark an obsession that would shape Rick's childhood and beyond. From that night on, Rick's life revolved around the vibrant, action-packed world of GLOW.

Rick and GLOW's Lightning

Rick immediately fell in love with Spanish Red, who resembled his fourth-grade teacher—a woman he had a childhood crush on. It wasn't long before Rick had all the neighborhood kids hooked on GLOW, thanks to the episodes he faithfully recorded on VHS every Saturday. Every Sunday morning before church, Rick would dash to the living room to rewind the tape, ensuring they could watch the latest episode right after church.

Rick's dedication to GLOW was evident in every aspect of his life. He had his boom box ready to record every rap from the show, which he and his friends used during their reenactments. One day, Rick's dad had a special surprise for him and his siblings—he had built a wrestling ring in their basement, allowing them to transform into GLOW wrestlers more effectively. Rick's 10th birthday party was even a battle royal wrestling party, a testament to how deeply the show had integrated into his life.

Rick's favorite character recreations were Spanish Red, complete with a towel as a cape and a plastic rose, Hollywood, with a feather hair clip he won at the fair, Debbie Debutante, and Sally the Farmer's Daughter, complete with his crop top. His brother often pretended to be Ninotchka, with a fake cigar, and his little sister played Little Egypt, Little Fiji, a Southern belle, or a character they created named Ballarenor.

Despite his love for GLOW, Rick's school performance suffered. He frequently daydreamed about the show and sketched cartoon drawings of his favorite wrestlers, including Hollywood and Vine, Spanish Red, Debbie and Susie, and Sally. Even when he joined the wrestling team, Rick couldn't resist incorporating GLOW moves, which often got him into trouble for using the leg scissors.

GLOW wasn't just a show for Rick; it was a source of courage and inspiration. It taught him to stand up for the underdog and to never let anyone tear him down. Much like Rick, hundreds of miles away, I was also impersonating GLOW wrestlers as a kid, drawn into the same thrilling world. Rick's story is a testament to the profound impact that a TV show can have on a person's life, fostering creativity, resilience, and a sense of community.

Rick's "Mama Bear" GLOW Character

Having shared these memories and bonded over a mutual love for GLOW, Rick and I have developed a strong friendship that will hopefully withstand the test of time. Meeting Rick in person on the GLOW cruise was a highlight, and our connection only grew stronger. I hope our friendship will always remain as robust and vibrant as the GLOW stories that brought us together.

Rick with our good friend James, waiting to board the Norwegian Encore

Rick Howard Jr.'s journey as a GLOW superfan is a heartwarming reminder of the power of passion and the bonds formed through shared interests. It's been a joy to feature his story and to celebrate the incredible world of GLOW that continues to inspire fans like Rick. Our enduring friendship is a testament to the community and connections that GLOW has helped create.

I hope you enjoyed reading Rick's inspiring journey as a GLOW superfan. Do you have any memorable experiences, personal stories, or favorite GLOW memories? I’d love to hear about them in the comments. Sharing your stories makes this journey all the more special. If you enjoyed this post and would like to support my storytelling journey, any small token of appreciation is always welcome. Let’s keep the joy of sharing memories and stories alive together!