GLOWcase: Annette Marroquin as Jungle Woman

Hey GLOW fans! Welcome to this week's Saturday GLOWcase, where we shine a spotlight on the incredible women, creators, crew, and fans of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (GLOW). Today, we're diving into the fascinating journey of Annette Marroquin, better known as Jungle Woman. From professional cheerleader to iconic wrestling villain, Annette's story is full of cool experiences, creative character ideas, and just rolling with the punches.

Annette Marroquin started her career as a professional cheerleader with the Los Angeles Raiders and the short-lived Los Angeles Express. While balancing her cheerleading career, she also dabbled in commercials and modeling.

Annette stumbled into wrestling by chance. She met Nadine Kadmiri (now Higgins), who played Ashley Cartier on GLOW, while they were both cheering for the Los Angeles Express. Nadine and another cheerleader, Lisa Moretti, mentioned they were working on a pilot for a wrestling show. Lisa and Nadine filmed the pilot as "Tina and Ashley," but Annette couldn't join in at first due to other commitments. Once the show got picked up by the networks, Nadine encouraged Annette to interview with Matt Cimber and audition. After a successful interview and some character brainstorming, Annette was officially a GLOW Girl. She and Nadine then headed to Vegas to start their wrestling adventure.

Annette’s dance training and acrobatic skills brought a captivating flair to her character. She channeled the spirit of big cats like jaguars, leopards, and cheetahs—her moves, right down to her walk, were as graceful and powerful as a feline’s prowl. Jungle Woman was Annette’s vision of a wild, untamed Amazon, straight out of the jungle and into the Vegas spotlight. She was ready to battle anyone who crossed her path, especially if they messed with her loyal companion, Nature Boy, portrayed by Matt Cimber and Tony Cimber, Jayne Mansfield’s son.

The first time I saw Jungle Woman enter the ring, I thought, “WOW, she’s stunning!” But my eyes quickly darted to Nature Boy, and I understood exactly why Jungle Woman was so fiercely protective of him. The match was Jungle Woman vs. Olympia, and I expected Olympia, the beautiful bodybuilder, to dominate. But Jungle Woman, with her cat-like stealth and no-holds-barred attitude, surprised everyone and won the match.

Annette’s character operated with no rules, and why should she? Jungle Woman came from a place where survival of the fittest was the only law. Her character became well known for disqualifications in the ring, but the fans absolutely loved her. Jungle Woman’s growl and her vocals were as catlike as her moves, which took her character development to a higher level than most. While most of the costumes worn by the GLOW girls were designed by Ninotchka’s mother, Marianne, Annette took her character to the next level by designing her own costumes. Her Jungle Woman raps were the cherry on top of her creation, which she wrote herself, fully embracing the persona she created. In addition to Jungle Woman, Annette envisioned playing other characters, including one from New York, possibly a cousin to Tina or Ashley, and one that would have involved her years as a cheerleader. I would have loved to have seen Annette as a tag team partner to Ann LeBree’s cheerleading character, Debbie Debutante, or even as part of a GLOW cheerleading squad featuring Annette, Ann, and Laurie, who portrayed Susie Spirit.

Despite her passion and dedication to the role, Annette faced a significant challenge when she was injured during practice for a match with Americana. This injury sidelined her from GLOW for good, and it took her over a month to recover enough to walk again. Annette returned to Los Angeles and continued her acting career.

Annette has appeared in commercials for well-known brands like Coca-Cola, Energizer Batteries, and Bud Light. She auditioned and became one of Barker's Beauties, replacing longtime model Dian Parkinson on The Price is Right during its 22nd season. She returned in the 24th season as a substitute after Gena Lee Nolin left the show to join Baywatch, alternating with Cindy Margolis as the fourth Barker’s Beauty until she eventually left the show.

I remember watching the show and constantly wondering why she looked so familiar, not realizing until years later when I friended the still-beautiful Annette on Facebook. She also made appearances in various primetime shows of the 1980s and 1990s, including Twilight Zone, Hunter, Thirtysomething, and Legend. Her film credits include Switch, Suds, and Knight Club.

For fans of TV shows like Roller Games and professional wrestling, you might be interested to know that Annette was also part of the original cast of American Gladiators, though she didn't continue with the show after appearing in the 1988 pilot episode.

Hollywood, Ashley Cartier & Jungle Woman

As we celebrate these incredible GLOWing memories, I invite you to share your own stories and experiences of GLOW. 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 GLOW 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!

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Saturday GLOWcase: Remembering Matilda The Unforgettable GLOW Villain

Deanna Booher as Matilda the Hun

Matilda's journey began with her friend Golden Kat (Charli Haynes) introducing her to the GLOW auditions. They were apartment-style wrestling buddies and did everything together. The idea of a television show combining comedy, music, and wrestling was a dream come true. Matt Cimber, the show's director, appreciated Deanna's creativity and excitement. She even contributed her "Raw Meat" song to the pilot.

Deanna's Book GLAMAZON Queen Kong

In Vegas, Deanna met all the original girls, including Tina Ferrari and Tammy Jones. Pepper, also known as Princess Jasmine, was their trainer. The pilot was a huge success at the NATPE television convention in New Orleans, securing funding for the first season. Auditions in LA brought in Fiji, leading to some debates over the show's image, but Matt knew the diverse cast was key to its success. The team trained and lived at the “classy” Riviera Hotel.

Matilda's wrestling persona, crafted by Matt, was born with a German accent, making her seem more evil. Her background as a professional dominatrix helped shape her fearsome yet humorous character. Inspired by Lynda Carter's Wonder Woman and Maureen O'Hara, Matilda blended fearsome and funny, priding herself on never actually harming anyone and being a skilled storyteller.

Despite the show's success, frustrations grew over injuries and management issues. After two seasons and the prospect of being sold to the Harlem Globetrotters, Matilda and others left GLOW for the newly formed POWW. Legal disputes with GLOW made it hard to succeed, but they had a great cast and some success. Deanna eventually returned to the fetish business, starting slam-o-grams, and pursued Hollywood auditions, appearing on shows like "Mama's Family" and "Married with Children."

Unfortunately, lifting men for slam-o-grams took a toll on her health, and Matilda had to let go of Hollywood and slam-o-grams. She focused on producing and directing, hiring other girls. I had the pleasure of meeting Deanna in 2016 and have to say that she was as funny in person as she was on TV and super sweet and very warm and generous. Matilda passed away on January 7, 2022, but her legacy as an unforgettable GLOW villain, and her impact on wrestling and entertainment remain cherished.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to Hollywood, Jeanne Basone, for her invaluable help with this tribute to Matilda Deanna Booher. Hollywood was not only one of Matilda's co-stars during their time together on GLOW, but she also remained a loyal and loving friend to Matilda until her passing. Hollywood's unwavering support and friendship are a testament to the strong bonds formed within the GLOW family. Much love and appreciation to you, Hollywood, for your kindness and dedication.

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