Vince McMahon has spoken out against Netflix’s ‘misleading’ docuseries on his controversial WWE career ahead of its release.
The doc, which looks back at McMahon’s controversial career as founder of the famous wrestling promotion, is set to air on September 25.
A trailer for the series – titled ‘Mr McMahon’ – suggests it will lift the lid on the many scandals the 79-year-old billionaire found himself at the center of, including recent allegations of sex trafficking.
In recent years he has also faced allegations of sexual misconduct and hush-money payments totaling almost $15million, which led to his initial WWE exit in 2022.
Before the show premieres this week, McMahon has released a statement condemning Netflix for using ‘editing tricks’ to lead viewers down the wrong path and ‘conflating’ the character he used to portray in the WWE with his true self.
Vince McMahon has spoken out against Netflix’s ‘misleading’ docuseries on his WWE career
‘I don’t regret participating in this Netflix documentary,’ he said in the statement. ‘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 misinterpreted 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.’
Netflix announced the series at the end of August alongside an official poster, writing that it is ‘chronicling the rise and fall of the WWE’s controversial founder’.
McMahon is currently at the forefront of a sex-trafficking investigation with a former staffer
Netflix’s docuseries is set to look at several of the scandals involving the former WWE boss
‘Mr. McMahon’ is produced by Tiger King producer Chris Smith and Bill Simmons.
The show is said to include interviews with ‘McMahon before his resignation, his family, and some of the most iconic names in wrestling history. As well as the journalists who uncovered McMahon’s allegations’.
McMahon initially acquired what was then known as the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1982 from his father after serving as a ringside announcer, before turning it into an international entertainment powerhouse.
While in charge, he took the promotion to new heights. Part of his expansion included acquiring rivals ECW and WCW in the early 2000s.
The charismatic character would go on to play an important role behind the scenes while regularly appearing in front of the camera.
He stood down as Executive Chairman of the World Wrestling Entertainment brand after allegations of sexual misconduct began to unfold in 2022.
The 79-year-old billionaire turned WWE into a global powerhouse after acquiring it in 1982
A year later, McMahon returned to the desk as the UFC partnered with WWE to form TKO – becoming a combat sports and entertainment juggernaut. He took on the role of Executive Chairman of the WWE.
However, in January 2024, McMahon resigned from that role after the first reports of an alleged sex-trafficking scheme surfaced.
The case remains under investigation with former WWE employee, Janel Grant, leading the charge.