Vince McMahon looks to have previously made an attempt to prevent the upcoming Netflix docuseries from being released.
After nearly 4 years of uncertainty as to whether or not the project would actually see the light of day, the series that focuses on the life and career of Vince McMahon, titled Mr. McMahon, will be released worldwide on Netflix on September 25th. In addition to his contributions to WWE and company-related scandals, the series will also focus on McMahon’s personal scandals that first broke in 2022 and the ongoing Janel Grant lawsuit that was filed in January 2024.
With the 2 scandals not known to the public when the series was first signed off by McMahon, the nature of the project has drastically changed since and has left many curious as to how the events and McMahon himself will be presented. According to a new report, McMahon attempted to shut the project down entirely.
A lengthy update regarding the production of the docuseries was reported by Matthew Belloni in Puck’s What I’m Hearing newsletter.
Belloni reports that filmmaker Chris Smith had pretty much finished the project in 2022 before McMahon retired for the first time after allegations of hush money payments were made public. The scandal was then reportedly added into the docuseries along with his 2023 return that ultimately led to the WWE sale to Endeavor.
Continuing, Belloni described McMahon as “still nervous about the doc” and attempted to “buy the project back from Netflix.” In addition to McMahon Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel also voiced concern about the series, in particular, “the doc’s treatment of Vince’s alter ego, “Mr. McMahon.”” Netflix would not let the project go and later had more material for the series when Vince McMahon was accused by former employee Janel Grant of trafficking and sexual abuse.
Due to the shocking series of events that unfolded at the start of the year, plans to premiere the series in March 2024 were scrapped and Smith added in the second resignation and the allegations.
Vince McMahon Issues Statement On Upcoming Netflix Series
In a rare address on social media, Vince McMahon issued a statement concerning the Netflix series that is set to air in less than 24 hours after seeing an early cut of the show. McMahon has listed his issues with the show and has asked viewers to “keep an open mind” when watching the show.