With the Mr. McMahon release date fast approaching, here’s everything you need to know about the controversy surrounding former WWE executive Vince McMahon, the serious allegations against him, and insights into the upcoming Netflix documentary series.
The realm of sports has seen a surge in documentary releases lately, including Netflix’s well-received Untold anthology series and the Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s Welcome to Wrexham.
Attention is now shifting towards professional wrestling. Earlier this year, fans experienced the release of WrestleMania XL: Behind the Curtain, and there’s more to come as WWE’s Monday Night Raw transitions to Netflix in 2025.
Before that, the highly anticipated six-part documentary series Mr. McMahon is set to debut, igniting considerable discussion. Note: the content may be distressing for some viewers.
Mr. McMahon Explores the Rise and Fall of Vince McMahon
Executive producers Chris Smith and Bill Simmons helm this six-part documentary series that delves deep into the remarkable rise and subsequent fall of Vince McMahon, co-founder of WWE.
According to the official synopsis, “The series chronicles McMahon’s journey in transforming WWE from a regional competitor into a global entertainment powerhouse while addressing the explosive sexual misconduct allegations that led to his eventual resignation.”
Drawing from over 200 hours of interviews, Mr. McMahon presents insights from family members, business colleagues, wrestling icons, journalists who covered the allegations, along with McMahon himself.
Notable interviewees include Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold Steve Austin, John Cena, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, and Wall Street Journal reporters Ted Mann and Joe Palazzolo.
Release Date Announced After Delays
Mr. McMahon will premiere on Netflix on September 25, 2024, at 12 AM PT / 3 AM ET. Although initially announced in October 2020, the docu-series faced delays due to various allegations against McMahon.
Smith, known for producing Tiger King, explained, “The aim of Mr. McMahon was to peel back the layers and reveal the authentic Vince McMahon behind his public persona.”
He added, “Over the four years of production, the narrative evolved in shocking ways, leading to extremely serious allegations. The final product provides a nuanced portrait of McMahon and the complex legacy he created.”
Many interviews occurred before the allegations surfaced in 2024. Reporter Garrett Martin noted that McMahon and his family declined follow-up interviews after former WWE employee Janel Grant filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault and trafficking.
Martin indicated that the only other individuals interviewed again following the Grant lawsuit were wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer and WWE affiliate Bruce Prichard.
Understanding the McMahon Allegations
As of September 2024, Vince McMahon is under investigation by federal authorities in the US for severe allegations involving sex trafficking and sexual assault.
Upon the surfacing of these allegations, he resigned from TKO, the company formed through the merger of WWE and UFC.
McMahon is a pivotal figure in professional wrestling, credited with elevating WWE into a global entertainment phenomenon.
Taking control of the company from his father in the early 1980s, he revolutionized the business by expanding WWE’s reach through national television contracts and pay-per-view events.
McMahon became famous for his on-screen character, Mr. McMahon, a power-hungry boss recognized for his memorable catchphrases like “You’re fired!” , signature power walk, and rivalries with WWE superstars.
However, things turned dramatically in June 2022 when it was revealed that the WWE Board was investigating claims that he had paid millions of dollars in hush money to former employees over personal affairs.
He initially stepped down as CEO and chairman of WWE but returned in January 2023 to facilitate a merger deal that brought WWE and UFC together under the new TKO banner.
McMahon served as TKO’s executive chairman and sat on the board until January 2024, when former WWE employee Janel Grant filed her lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault and trafficking.
The lawsuit, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, alleges that “McMahon coerced Ms. Grant into a physical relationship in exchange for promised employment at WWE.”
It further describes escalating incidents, where McMahon allegedly facilitated “individuals to engage in sexual activities with Ms. Grant and/or the two of them.”
Additionally, he is accused of “distributing explicit photographs and videos” of Grant to other men, both within and outside WWE.
#VinceMcMahon‘s Netflix Documentary Filmmakers Contacted Janel Grant for Interview https://t.co/8aPfOf61Rt pic.twitter.com/oiIfx5UNCK
— Ringside News: WWE & AEW Wrestling News (@ringsidenews_) September 3, 2024
“McMahon allegedly subjected Ms. Grant to acts of extreme psychological and physical cruelty that compelled her to dissociate from reality to endure the horrific experiences,” the complaint states.
In a shocking example of McMahon’s alleged depravity, on May 9, 2020, it is claimed that he defecated on Ms. Grant during a sexual encounter and demanded she continue a sexual act despite the degrading circumstances.
Ultimately, the filing asserts that “WWE profited financially from the commercial sex acts orchestrated by McMahon,” who presented Grant as a “sexual commodity.”
While he has denied the allegations, McMahon stepped down from TKO. A representative described the claims as “full of lies, grotesque fabrications that never happened, and a vindictive distortion of the truth.”
In May 2024, it was reported that Grant consented to pause her lawsuit pending a federal investigation, which remains active.
Backlash Against Mr. McMahon
In light of the announcement of the Mr. McMahon release date, there was initial unease regarding Netflix’s relationship with WWE and whether the documentary would thoroughly explore the allegations. This concern heightened after McMahon issued a statement criticizing the docuseries.
In August, amid a post on X/Twitter highlighting the docuseries featuring interviews with McMahon, his family, and wrestling luminaries, one user replied, “But not Janel Grant, who made the accusations that led to Vince’s complete and utter downfall.”
“Is it due to legal reasons, or are the filmmakers avoiding in-depth exploration of these accusations because WWE plans to stream on Netflix in 2025?”
“Considering WWF will be showcased weekly on Netflix, I can’t imagine this content being favorable,” said another commenter, while a third speculated, “Well, we’re about to find out what kind of integrity Netflix holds…”
Another voiced concern over proceeding with the documentary while legal matters remain unresolved, questioning, “Why not wait until the legal issues are resolved? Allegations are still pending. This could taint the entire process.”
However, on September 23, McMahon labeled the documentary “misleading” and alleged much was misrepresented or omitted to confuse viewers intentionally.
Yet, his warning did not deter interest – rather, it appeared to increase anticipation, as many felt reassured that Mr. McMahon would not shy away from discussing the allegations.
“Paradoxically, Vince’s disapproval could be the best way to promote the series,”
Grant’s attorney, Ann Callis, also responded to McMahon’s remarks, emphasizing how he referred to his actions with her client as an “affair.”
Ann Callis, attorney for Janel Grant, the former WWE employee and victim of sexual assault and human trafficking, responded to @VinceMcMahon tonight: https://t.co/lAUIGBt6yp pic.twitter.com/rZNn19U9Zl
— Kendra Barkoff Lamy (@kabarkoff) September 24, 2024
“Vince McMahon physically and emotionally abused, sexually assaulted, and trafficked Janel Grant for over two years. Referring to his abhorrent and criminal conduct as ‘an affair’ is delusional and merely an effort to salvage his tarnished reputation,” she stated.
Callis concluded by asserting, “We aim to hold McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and WWE accountable and ensure Ms. Grant receives her day in court.”
Mr. McMahon premieres on September 25. For more updates on crime-related news, explore whether smartschoolboy9 was ever apprehended, Netflix’s Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter, and what legal analysts have said about Lyle and Erik Menendez’s ongoing legal battles.
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