An upcoming Netflix documentary series featuring former WWE boss Vince McMahon has announced its release date, though it has already sparked controversy.
Recently, there has been a surge in the number of documentaries centered on the world of sports, with examples including Netflix’s well-received Untold anthology series and Welcome to Wrexham, co-produced by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
Currently, attention has shifted towards professional wrestling. WrestleMania XL: Behind the Curtain was eventually released earlier this year, and there are numerous other projects in the works for Netflix as WWE’s Monday Night Raw will be moving to the streaming service in 2025.
Prior to its release, there is anticipation surrounding the arrival of the six-part documentary series Mr. McMahon, as questions arise about its treatment of the story. Caution: some viewers may find the content disturbing.
Mr. McMahon: The Rise and Fall of Vince McMahon
Co-produced by Chris Smith and Bill Simmons, Mr. McMahon is a six-part documentary series that delves into the life and career of Vince McMahon, the co-founder of WWE.
The official synopsis states that the series details McMahon’s efforts to turn WWE into a worldwide entertainment giant, as well as the scandalous accusations of sexual misconduct that ultimately resulted in his resignation.
Drawing from over 200 hours of interviews, Mr. McMahon’s documentary includes interviews with family members, business associates, renowned figures in the wrestling industry, and journalists who reported on the accusations, as well as McMahon himself.
Release Date Revealed After Delays
Despite being announced in October 2020, the docu-series about Mr. McMahon will finally be released on Netflix on September 25, 2024 at 12am PT / 3am ET. This release was delayed due to multiple allegations made against him.
Smith, the producer of Tiger King, stated, “Our intention with Mr. McMahon was to unveil the real Vince McMahon, hidden behind the image he projected to the public.”
Over the course of four years, the story underwent significant changes, ultimately leading to the revelation of distressing accusations. The resulting documentary provides an insightful and multifaceted depiction of the individual and the intricate impact he had on history.
McMahon Allegations Explained
As of August 2024, federal authorities in the US have launched an investigation into McMahon for serious allegations of sex trafficking and sexual assault.
Upon the emergence of the latest allegations, he stepped down from his role at TKO, which was created through the merger of WWE and UFC.
McMahon is an influential individual in the professional wrestling industry, as he has successfully turned WWE into a popular and dominant force in the world of entertainment.
In the early 1980s, he successfully assumed leadership of the company from his father and brought about a revolution in the industry by expanding WWE’s influence through national television contracts and pay-per-view events.
Mr. McMahon, known for his catchphrases like “You’re fired!” , his power walk, and his feuds with WWE superstars, rose to fame for his on-screen persona as a tyrannical boss.
In June 2022, everything was altered when reports surfaced that the WWE Board was looking into allegations that he had paid large sums of money to keep former WWE employees quiet about their affairs.
After stepping down as CEO and chairman of WWE, he made a comeback in January 2023, playing a crucial role in the merger between WWE and UFC, resulting in the formation of TKO – the newly established entity.
Janel Grant’s lawsuit, filed in January 2024, accused McMahon, who had previously served as TKO’s executive chairman and a member of its board of directors, of sexual assault and trafficking.
The Wall Street Journal was the first to obtain the lawsuit, which claims that “McMahon coerced Ms. Grant into a physical relationship in exchange for the promised employment at WWE.”
The paragraph continues to state that the situation intensified, as McMahon was accused of allegedly soliciting “individuals to engage in sexual activities with Ms. Grant and/or with both of them.”
The ex-WWE executive is also alleged to have distributed “sexually explicit photos and videos”of Grant with other individuals, both within and outside of the organization.
Vince McMahon Netflix Docuseries Did Not Interview Janel Grant Or Her Legal Team (source: Ringside News) https://t.co/lMBdWa1Amr
— WrestleNova 🔥 (@WrestleNova) August 29, 2024
According to the complaint, McMahon’s treatment of Ms. Grant also included acts of severe cruelty and humiliation, resulting in Ms. Grant experiencing dissociation and detachment from reality as a coping mechanism to endure the traumatic experiences.
“One instance of McMahon’s extreme depravity occurred on May 9, 2020 when he defecated on Ms. Grant during a threesome and then ordered her to continue satisfying his ‘friend’ with feces in her hair and running down her back.”
Ultimately, the statement asserts that McMahon financially profited from the commercial sex act scheme he organized, as he presented Grant as a sexual commodity for the benefit of WWE.
Despite denying the accusations, McMahon resigned from his role at TKO. According to a spokesperson, the allegations were filled with falsehoods, fabricated scenarios that never took place, and a malicious misrepresentation of the facts.
In May 2024, an update on the case emerged stating that Grant had agreed to put the lawsuit on hold while a federal investigation, currently underway, takes place.
Mr. McMahon’s Backlash Explanation
Despite the announcement that Mr. McMahon’s release is scheduled for next month, there has been some concern regarding Netflix’s partnership with WWE and whether it will thoroughly address the allegations.
On a post about the docu-series on X/Twitter, it was mentioned that the series includes interviews with McMahon, his family, and prominent figures in the wrestling industry. In response, a commenter pointed out, “But it seems that Janel Grant, who made the accusations that led to Vince’s downfall and humiliation, is not included.”
“Did the directors of the documentary choose not to extensively explore these accusations due to legal considerations, or was it influenced by the upcoming release of the WWE on Netflix in 2025?”
“One person commented, “With the WWF being aired on Netflix every week, I doubt it will be of good quality.”Another individual chimed in, “We’ll soon see how Netflix handles this.”
A fourth individual added, “I trust that your newfound relationship with the @WWE will not compromise your journalistic integrity.”And a fifth person pointed out, “It is intriguing, given the TV deal they have recently secured.”
Some individuals are expressing concern over the ongoing investigation, including one person who inquired, “Shouldn’t they wait until the legal matters are resolved? There are still pending allegations and the possibility of a jury trial. This could potentially affect the integrity of the entire process.”
Mr. McMahon’s premiere is set for September 25.
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