Tomorrow, Mr. McMahon premieres on Netflix. What originally looked like another WWE-approved documentary with revisionist history has evolved into a tell-all exploration of the many sexual abuse allegations which ultimately drove Vince McMahon out of the company he put on the map.
Breaking his social media silence for the first time since April 2023 when Endeavor acquired WWE, McMahon issued a statement claiming the series misrepresents him to "leave viewers intentionally confused."
Once again dismissing Janel Grant's lawsuit as little more than an affair, the former WWE Chairman later said, "I hope the viewer will keep an open mind and remember that there are two sides to every story."
Here's the full statement:
"I don’t regret participating in this Netflix documentary. The producers had an opportunity to tell an objective story about my life and the incredible business I built, which were equally filled with excitement, drama, fun, and a fair amount of controversy and life lessons. Unfortunately, based on an early partial cut I’ve seen, this doc falls short and takes the predictable path of conflating the 'Mr. McMahon' character with my true self, Vince. The title and promos alone make that evident."
"A lot has been misrepresented or left out entirely in an effort to leave viewers intentionally confused. The producers use typical editing tricks with out of context footage and dated soundbites etc. to distort the viewers’ perception and support a deceptive narrative. In an attempt to further their misleading account, the producers use a lawsuit based on an affair I ended as evidence that I am, in fact, ‘Mr. McMahon.’ I hope the viewer will keep an open mind and remember that there are two sides to every story."
Mr. McMahon chronicles the rise and fall of Vince McMahon, controversial businessman and co-founder of WWE. From his transformation of the WWE from a small, regional business into a global entertainment powerhouse to the explosive sexual misconduct allegations that led to his eventual resignation, this six-episode series offers a deep dive into McMahon’s life and his enduring franchise.
Culled from over 200 hours of interviews with McMahon himself (prior to his resignation), his family members, business associates and some of the most iconic names in wrestling history, as well as the journalists who uncovered McMahon’s allegations - filmmaker Chris Smith (Tiger King) and executive producer Bill Simmons (30 for 30) present an unflinching, no-holds-barred look at one of the most enigmatic figures in sports entertainment.
"The goal behind 'Mr. McMahon' was to pull back the curtain and reveal the true Vince McMahon, obscured beneath the persona he presented to the world," Smith explains. "Over the four years of production, the story evolved in truly shocking ways, culminating in some extremely harrowing allegations."
"The final product is a revealing documentary that we believe offers a rich and nuanced portrait of the man and the complex legacy he left behind."
The six-episode series premieres on Netflix on September 25.