Saturday GLOWcase: The Raps That Defined the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling

This week’s Saturday GLOWcase goes beyond the spotlight of the personalities and fans of GLOW to shine a light on something just as iconic: the unforgettable raps of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling. If you’re already humming the theme song, trust me—you’re not alone!

The music of GLOW is woven into the fabric of the show’s legacy and for fans, it’s downright unforgettable. Each episode kicked off with all the ladies in the ring, reciting—or maybe singing?—the theme song to a background track that was also used for their individual raps. Fun fact: the lyrics for this intro rap were penned by Deanna Booher, who fans might better recognize as Matilda the Hun.

During Seasons 1 and 2, the show stuck with the same intro rap, though Season 2 added visuals to feature individual shots of a few of the ladies in fresh ring gear and added some newer cast members to the montage. By Seasons 3 and 4, the intro rap featured the cast of Season 3, keeping things fresh while staying true to its roots.

What set GLOW apart wasn’t just the high-energy wrestling—it was the quirky, sometimes downright cheesy raps that accompanied each wrestler’s entrance. While not every lady had their own rap, some, like Hollywood and Godiva, had an impressive lineup of character-specific raps throughout the seasons. These raps weren’t just entertaining—they were essential to the show’s charm and a huge part of what made GLOW stand out from other wrestling shows.

Here’s a little behind-the-scenes nugget for you: the ladies were tasked with writing their own raps to suit their characters. For those who struggled with the process, fellow wrestlers like Eileen O’Hara (aka Melody Trouble Vixen, or MTV) stepped in to lend their creative chops. It was a collaborative effort that brought out the best in GLOW’s colorful personalities.

Sure, in today’s world, those raps might come across as cheesy—cue the eye rolls from new fans discovering GLOW decades later—but let’s not forget the context. This was the 1980s! Silly, ridiculous, over-the-top antics were embraced as a virtue. If you remember the Super Bowl Shuffle, you’ll understand the vibe GLOW was channeling, though GLOW raps were arguably a bit more polished (and easier to stomach!).

As a kid, I loved everything about the show and the raps were no exception. I was even determined enough to learn the background music on my trusty Casio keyboard—not that I remember how to play it now. Thankfully, some brilliant soul on YouTube has recreated that music, so fans like me can enjoy it all over again. And if you’re curious, YouTube is a goldmine of uploads showcasing the original raps alongside fan-made tributes.

Talking to other GLOW fans has revealed just how important the raps were to viewers. I’ve heard stories of fans holding tape recorders up to their televisions to capture the raps so they could memorize them and some even used them for their own ring entrances during childhood “play” wrestling matches. GLOW’s influence stretched far beyond the screen—especially during GLOW cruises, where events tested fans’ knowledge of these iconic raps. My friend Andrew Zeranick still reigns as the undisputed champ of obscure GLOW rap knowledge, trust me, his rap skills are next-level including the off the beat Jackie Stallone rap.

To top it all off, here’s a little musical trivia: the background music used for the raps was composed by Hank Donig, who also co-wrote All Girls Want It by Jody Moreing. It’s details like these that highlight just how much effort went into crafting every aspect of GLOW’s unforgettable experience.

What are your favorite memories of GLOW’s raps? Did you have a favorite character’s entrance rap or maybe you were one of those fans who recorded the raps to learn them? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments—I’d love to reminisce with you and celebrate the fun, unique spirit of GLOW! And hey, if this post brought back some nostalgic joy, consider supporting my blog. Every little contribution helps keep these memories alive and fuels more GLOWcases in the future. No pressure—your continued readership means the world to me. Here’s to embracing the cheesy, the quirky, and the downright fabulous moments that made GLOW iconic. 🌟

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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!