The Ongoing Popularity of GLOW

GLOW featured female wrestlers competing in entertaining matches that helped GLOW become creatively one the best American female wrestling promotions of all-time. In the decades following GLOW's run on television, it has continued to be popular.

I have had the opportunity to interview Little Feather, Ashley Cartier, Roxy Astor, Patricia "Sunny" Summerland (2013 and 2019 update), Dawn "Godiva" Maestas, Jeanne "Hollywood" Basone, Gremlina, MTV, and Jailbait, with each wrestler recalling their memories of GLOW and their best/favorite matches; and every month at least one of my interviews with a GLOW wrestler is among the most viewed posts on this blog. Also, documentaries have been made about GLOW, and DVDs are still available online. And in recent years, a new generation of wrestling fans was introduced to the GLOW brand via a Netflix series of the same name that ran from 2017 to 2019 and presented a fictionalized account of the promotion.

Why has GLOW been able to maintain its popularity? One reason is that it was a lot of fun, with exciting and unpredictable matches featuring wrestlers who were likable regardless of whether they were face or heel. There was someone for everyone, with each character having their own unique personality. In fact, each character's personality stood out more than the wrestler's in-ring ability, proving that they were all charismatic performers, which makes them unforgettable.

My guess is that GLOW also was empowering for women, being that all of the wrestlers were brave and took on all challengers, no matter their size. All GLOW wrestlers stood up for themselves, which makes them role models even today.

Also, GLOW may be nostalgic for many wrestling fans, viewing the 1980s (when GLOW began) as being a simpler time for a fan. These days, many fans are very critical of matches and keep track of viewership numbers. However, back in the 1980s, most fans just wanted to be entertained.

Overall, GLOW has continued to maintain its popularity because it was fun, entertaining, and empowering with diverse characters, created during a time that wrestling fans just wanted to be wrestling fans. GLOW appealed to people of all ages and backgrounds, male and female alike; and it surely will continue to be popular for many years to come.