Mr McMahon – What Does Netflix’s New Documentary Series Reveal?

Mr McMahon - What Does Netflix's New Documentary Series Reveal?

Key Takeaways

  • Netflix’s ‘Mr McMahon’ documentary addresses controversial allegations against Vince McMahon briefly.
  • The series explores McMahon’s ruthless nature, including the infamous ‘Montreal Screwjob’.
  • The darker side of WWE, including the Chris Benoit tragedy, is explored in-depth, raising concerns about wrestler’s safety.

As I delve deeper into the world of professional wrestling and the WWE empire, it’s become abundantly clear that Vince McMahon is a man who will stop at nothing to ensure his business thrives. The Montreal Screwjob was a stark reminder of this cutthroat nature, where McMahon orchestrated a betrayal that left Bret Hart spitting mad and the wrestling world in shock.


On September 25, 2024, Vince McMahon, who had been under controversy as the former president of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), made his debut on Netflix. The series, which delved into many questions and provided numerous answers, was abruptly halted when he was accused of sexual misconduct, causing him to withdraw from the project.

This documentary offers a revealing look into the true identity of Vince McMahon, delving into his early days, his extensive career, and the various scandals that have surrounded him. Notably, Vince himself, along with numerous other familiar figures such as Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, and The Undertaker, are prominently featured in interviews. This production presents a candid depiction of the lucrative WWE enterprise and the man who assumes multiple personas within it. In 2025, this documentary made its debut on Netflix, marking a significant milestone for WWE, with further growth still on the horizon.

The Allegations Against Vince McMahon

Mr McMahon
ContributorsVince McMahon, Hulk Hogan, Stephanie McMahon, Shane McMahon, Bret Hart, Dwayne Johnson, John Cena, Mark Calaway, Eric Bischoff and Steve Austin
Air DateSeptember 25, 2024
Directed ByChris Smith

The McMahon documentary series doesn’t explore the sex trafficking allegations extensively because they emerged when the project was nearly complete. However, it does mention the issue in its final episode. Janel Grant, a former employee, accused the business magnate of sex trafficking in a lawsuit, but he dismissed these accusations as “lies” and a “twisted misrepresentation of reality”.

The Allegations Against McMahon That Did Make It into The Series:

  • Rita Chatterton was the WWE’s first female referee, and she accused McMahon of rape. McMahon suggests it never happened, and it was a “consensual” relationship. He filed a defamation lawsuit against Chatterton, but withdrew it last year and paid her a multimillion-dollar settlement.
  • The US government took McMahon to court on charges of illegal steroid distribution. He was found not guilty in that case.

Ahead of its premiere on Netflix, Vince McMahon publicly shared his thoughts about the documentary through a statement issued on X.

I have no regrets about being part of that Netflix documentary. It provided a platform to share the intriguing narrative of my life and the phenomenal business I established, which was brimming with excitement, drama, enjoyment, and a touch of controversy and valuable lessons. Regrettably, from the sneak peek I’ve seen, it seems that it misses the mark and follows the common trope of merging the ‘Mr. McMahon’ persona with my authentic identity, Vince.

The Family Business And The Blurring Of Fiction And Reality

Mr McMahon - What Does Netflix's New Documentary Series Reveal?

Mr McMahon unveils the backstage turmoil driving the staged conflicts in the WWE arena between him, his daughter Stephanie, and his son Shane. This appears to be a ‘Succession’-like family drama playing out off-screen, with Shane showing ambition to lead the ‘family enterprise’. However, it was emphasized that it was Stephanie who had the essential traits to propel the business forward when her father eventually steps down.

Mr McMahon - What Does Netflix's New Documentary Series Reveal?

Stephanie was portrayed in a WWE drama, yet she held a significant role off-screen as one of Vince’s trusted business partners. The documentary delves into her relationship with Paul Michael Levesque (also known as Triple H), and it follows his journey to becoming the WWE’s Chief Operating Officer.

The Truth Behind The Montreal Screwjob

Mr McMahon - What Does Netflix's New Documentary Series Reveal?

Vince McMahon, known for his ruthless business tactics, is spotlighted in the documentary series, delving deeply into this aspect. One pivotal event that epitomized McMahon’s relentless approach was the infamous “Montreal Screwjob.” In wrestling slang, a “screwjob” refers to a situation where the ending of a match is altered without one of the wrestlers being aware. This specific “screwjob” occurred in a 1997 bout between Bret “The Hitman” Hart and Shawn Michaels. The atmosphere was charged leading up to the match, due to Bret Hart announcing his departure to rival company World Championship Wrestling (WCW). Without Hart’s knowledge, McMahon collaborated with others to alter the predetermined outcome of the match, resulting in Hart losing his championship title to Shawn Michaels before his home crowd in Montreal.

Show business… nothing personal. And there is nothing I wouldn’t do for business.

In the open, McMahon expressed his desire for Bret Hart to act in the best interests of the business. However, when Hart declined, McMahon was compelled to take an underhanded approach, which ultimately led to a heated confrontation between the two. This altercation ended with Hart spitting on McMahon and punching him backstage. The severity of McMahon’s wounds were detailed in the documentary, and it’s clear that he stepped up to protect the company.

To this day, I don’t regret any of it.

The Chris Benoit Murder Suicide

Mr McMahon - What Does Netflix's New Documentary Series Reveal?

Mr McMahon explores the grim aspects of professional wrestling within WWE, focusing particularly on the genuine injuries endured by its performers. In the lead-up to a significant plotline where the ‘Mr McMahon’ character was planned to be written off, an actual tragedy occurred that served as a stark reminder.

The accusations regarding Benoit’s steroid and drug abuse were revisited, as it was suggested that his behavior might have been influenced by substance use. However, it was eventually found that Benoit was battling chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a form of brain damage caused by the multiple concussions he sustained throughout his wrestling career. Vince McMahon and the WWE were compelled to tackle this issue when neuroscientist and former WWE superstar, Chris Nowinski, expressed concerns following an examination of Benoit’s brain. This revelation sparked significant changes in the WWE’s approach towards injuries, prompting Nowinski to educate wrestlers on concussions and CTE. This education marked the end of using metal chairs to hit wrestlers over the head, among other changes.

The Shocking Early Deaths Of WWE Wrestlers Was Also Explored In The Documentary Series

  • Mr. Perfect (died aged 44)
  • Eddie Guerrero (died aged 38)
  • British Bulldog (died aged 39)
  • Test (aged 33)
  • Owen Hart (aged 34)

During an interview for the documentary, McMahon asserted that these fatalities were unrelated to him or WWE. However, this statement sparks numerous queries regarding where WWE’s priorities truly lie: is it the wellbeing of the performers or the pursuit of financial gains?

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2024-10-02 01:03