The Mr. McMahon docuseries on Netflix is set to be a compelling exploration of Vince McMahon’s unprecedented influence on professional wrestling and the controversies that have followed him throughout his career. As the former chairman and CEO of WWE, McMahon is widely recognized for transforming WWE into a global entertainment empire. His larger-than-life persona, both on and off the screen, has often been polarizing—depicted as a ruthless, domineering figure within the industry.
This six-part series, which is set to premiere on September 25, 2024, provides a more intimate and detailed portrait of McMahon, including exclusive interviews with McMahon himself and wrestling legends such as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, John Cena, Bret Hart, and Triple H. These interviews give insight into McMahon’s business acumen, his aggressive style of leadership, and the profound impact he had on both WWE talent and the business of professional wrestling.
One of the central themes of the docuseries is McMahon’s portrayal as a villainous character. As the trailer begins, he reflects on his image, stating, “People have wondered who I really am. You know, the portrayal of me is I’m a bad guy, but no one really knows me.” This introspective comment suggests that the docuseries will attempt to humanize McMahon, showcasing his personal side while still delving into the controversies that have shaped his public perception.
Among the topics the series covers are the pivotal moments in McMahon’s career, including:
- WWE’s rise to global dominance: McMahon’s leadership turned WWE from a regional promotion into a multimedia conglomerate with global reach, through iconic events like WrestleMania and the creation of household wrestling stars.
- The 1994 steroid trial: One of McMahon’s most notorious legal battles, in which he was accused of distributing steroids to wrestlers, will be revisited. McMahon was acquitted, but the trial left a lasting mark on his reputation.
- Chris Benoit’s double murder-suicide: The tragedy that rocked the wrestling world in 2007 will be examined, including how McMahon and WWE responded to the situation.
- Sexual abuse allegations and the lawsuit filed by Janel Grant: The docuseries will explore the allegations that played a significant role in McMahon’s decision to resign from WWE in January 2024. While Grant herself was not interviewed, producers reached out to her, highlighting the seriousness of the subject matter. These allegations have had a profound impact on McMahon’s legacy and on the WWE as an organization.
In addition to these major storylines, the docuseries will include commentary from WWE insiders like Bruce Prichard, Eric Bischoff, Jimmy Hart, and wrestling journalist David Shoemaker from The Ringer. This variety of perspectives will offer a well-rounded narrative about McMahon’s influence on wrestling culture and his complicated legacy.
Produced by Bill Simmons, a prominent sports media figure, and Chris Smith, known for his work on Tiger King, the series promises to be both hard-hitting and comprehensive. Netflix has been developing this project since 2020, a timeline that coincided with McMahon facing increased public scrutiny due to the various allegations against him. Despite the growing controversy, the interviews with McMahon were filmed prior to his resignation, providing viewers with an unfiltered look at the man behind the WWE empire before he stepped down from his position.
Interestingly, WWE itself does not have a production credit on the docuseries, even though WWE Raw will move to Netflix in January 2025. This likely signals that Netflix wanted to maintain editorial independence in crafting the narrative around McMahon, ensuring the docuseries could tackle the more sensitive issues in his career without interference from WWE.
With all six episodes available to binge-watch on September 25, the Mr. McMahon docuseries is poised to be one of Netflix’s most anticipated and potentially controversial documentaries, particularly for wrestling fans and those curious about the blurred lines between McMahon’s fictional persona and his real-life actions.
