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The Best Photos of Women’s Wrestling Through History

In honor of the premiere of the Netflix wrestling comedy 'GLOW,' here are some of the best snapshots of women's wrestling through the ages.

by M&F Hers Editors
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The Best Photos of Women’s Wrestling Through History

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Laura Luongo/Getty Images

The History of Women’s Wrestling

Netflix’s new series GLOW, which stands for Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, premieres on Friday, and it may just be your next great unapologetic binge watch.The comedy, created by the team of masterminds behind the Netflix series Orange is the New Black, follows the fictional tale of a struggling actress (played by Mad Men‘s Alison Brie) who becomes a part of GLOW, which was an actual women’s wrestling TV series that aired in the 1980s.Based on the trailers, the 10-episode series will have more than enough glitter, spandex, and glam rock to make you feel like it’s 1985 again.In honor of the premiere of GLOW on June 23, here are some of the best photos of women’s wrestling through the ages.

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Women Wrestle

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Gisela Steilingen and Rosa Kotowski demonstrating the ‘head grip’ in 1901.  

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Women wrestle on the beach in 1930. 

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Women wrestling around 1930. 

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Wrestlers perform for a crowd in 1950. 

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Wrestlers perform for a crowd in 1950. 

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The Fabulous Moolah was a wrestling veteran and a pioneer in women’s wrestling. She began her career in 1949 and continued making appearances in the ring until just before her death in 2007.

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A referee counts down in a match between two women in the 1970s.

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A female wrestler jumps on an opponent in the ring.

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GLOW wrestlers in the ring on May 4, 1988.

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GLOW wrestlers in the ring on May 4, 1988.

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GLOW wrestlers in the ring on May 4, 1988.

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GLOW wrestler Miss MTV in 1988.

Back to intro

The History of Women's Wrestling

Netflix’s new series GLOW, which stands for Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, premieres on Friday, and it may just be your next great unapologetic binge watch.

The comedy, created by the team of masterminds behind the Netflix series Orange is the New Black, follows the fictional tale of a struggling actress (played by Mad Men‘s Alison Brie) who becomes a part of GLOW, which was an actual women’s wrestling TV series that aired in the 1980s.

Based on the trailers, the 10-episode series will have more than enough glitter, spandex, and glam rock to make you feel like it’s 1985 again.

In honor of the premiere of GLOW on June 23, here are some of the best photos of women’s wrestling through the ages.

Gisela Steilingen and Rosa Kotowski demonstrating the ‘head grip’ in 1901.  

Women wrestle on the beach in 1930. 

Women wrestling around 1930. 

Wrestlers perform for a crowd in 1950. 

Wrestlers perform for a crowd in 1950. 

The Fabulous Moolah was a wrestling veteran and a pioneer in women’s wrestling. She began her career in 1949 and continued making appearances in the ring until just before her death in 2007.

A referee counts down in a match between two women in the 1970s.

A female wrestler jumps on an opponent in the ring.

GLOW wrestlers in the ring on May 4, 1988.

GLOW wrestlers in the ring on May 4, 1988.

GLOW wrestlers in the ring on May 4, 1988.

GLOW wrestler Miss MTV in 1988.

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