ew figures in the history of entertainment are as divisive as Vincent Kennedy McMahon, the billionaire promoter credited with bringing professional wrestling to the national stage. The recently released Netflix mini-series Mr. McMahon examines his life, which has long been shrouded in mystery due to the blurring of lines between the man and his on-screen persona. Unfortunately, the series falls short of fully unraveling this puzzle. Most of the interviews on which it is based were conducted in 2021 and 2022, before the most recent allegations and his subsequent resignation. When accusations of sexual harassment surfaced earlier this year, he declined further interviews.

Instead, McMahon condemned the documentary, claiming that “...the producers employ deceptive editing techniques, using out-of-context footage and outdated sound-bytes to manipulate viewers’ perceptions and promote a misleading narrative.”

Despite the criticism, the series offers valuable insights into his early personal and professional life, particularly his groundbreaking contribution to the industry. McMahon revolutionised professional wrestling, bringing it to the national stage, creating iconic events like WrestleMania to rival the Super Bowl, competing with rival promotions like WCW and ECW, and nurturing the careers of legendary stars such as Hulk Hogan, ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin, John Cena and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Chris Smith, known for his work on Tiger King, Mr McMahon is an executive production by Bill Simmons and Zara Duffy, renowned for their contributions to Mission Blue. The documentary series features a star-studded cast of professional wrestling icons, including Hulk Hogan, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Paul Heyman, Bret Hart, Eric Bischoff, Shane McMahon and Stephanie McMahon. Additionally, the series includes insights from media personalities such as businesswoman Kay Koplovitz, professional wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer and journalist Phil Mushnick, providing a comprehensive exploration of McMahon’s career and lasting impact.

Despite his international fame in the entertainment industry, McMahon is not known for sharing personal anecdotes or granting candid interviews. He states in the series, “I wish I could tell you the real stories.“ It’s often difficult to determine whether he’s speaking as Vince McMahon, the individual, or Mr McMahon, the character. The truth likely lies somewhere in between. Born in 1945, McMahon didn’t meet his biological father until he was twelve. He grew up in a financially struggling and emotionally abusive household. While he doesn’t explicitly state this, this experience possibly shaped his personality and his drive for control and dominance, even when his methods bordered on abuse.

After reconnecting with his father, a promoter for the Capitol Wrestling Corporation, McMahon gradually rose through the ranks, starting as a commentator for the WWE (then known as the World Wide Wrestling Federation or WWWF) in the 1970s. In 1982, he purchased the company from his father, Vincent J McMahon and proceeded to establish a near-monopoly on the industry, which had previously been fragmented across the United States. This led to the creation of WrestleMania, one of the world’s most successful professional wrestling events. In the 1990s, WWE faced competition from World Championship Wrestling. However, McMahon ultimately prevailed, acquiring WCW in 2001. He also purchased the assets of the defunct Extreme Championship Wrestling in 2003, effectively ending the careers of his former competitors, including Eric Bischoff and Paul Heyman.

His onscreen persona becomes even more disturbing when considering the real-life allegations against him. It’s alleged that the abuse was an open secret in the company. Yet no one, including his family, intervened or attempted to rectify the situation.

An intriguing aspect of McMahon’s life, highlighted in the series, is his unwavering prioritisation of business over personal relationships, even family. His son Shane’s testimony confirms this. From the betrayal of Hulk Hogan to his confrontations with Bischoff, from the infamous Montreal screw-job involving Bret Hart to the tragic death of Owen Hart, McMahon has consistently welcomed back former adversaries and competitors into the WWE fold, demonstrating his pragmatic approach to business. He has shown a remarkable ability to set aside personal grudges and pursue storylines that he believes will benefit the company. This strategic mindset has undoubtedly contributed to WWE’s dominance in the wrestling industry. It’s no surprise that stars like Cena and Undertaker consider him a father figure.

While recent allegations have led to his downfall, it’s important to note that he has a history of controversy. Some, like the 1994 steroid trial (in which he was acquitted), were professional hazards. However, others were more serious. These included the 1986 allegation of sexual assault against referee Rita Chatterton; the concussion scandal; and the deaths of Owen Hart and Chris Benoit. McMahon often dismisses or deflects these allegations, shifting blame elsewhere.

The title, Mr McMahon, alludes to the promoter’s on-screen persona, a villainous, billionaire boss who delights in humiliating his employees. He claims that this is merely a character he plays, distinct from the real McMahon. However, Hogan disagrees, asserting that the two are “exactly the same person.” His onscreen persona becomes even more disturbing when considering the real-life allegations against him. It’s alleged that the abuses was an open secret in the company. Yet, no one, including his family, intervened or attempted to rectify the situation.

Having such a person at the helm would set a dangerous situation for any company. However, during the documentary’s production, McMahon still controlled the WWE and the company was initially listed as a co-producer. This suggests that the WWE may have sought to influence how McMahon was portrayed.

In June 2022, amid allegations, McMahon stepped down as CEO and chairman of the WWE, pending the conclusion of an internal investigation. The following month, he announced his retirement from the company. However, McMahon returned to the WWE as executive chairman in January 2023. That April, Endeavor Group Holdings announced a merger between the WWE and Zuffa, owner of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. McMahon served as the executive chairman of the newly merged company, TKO Group Holdings. In January 2024, McMahon resigned from TKO following allegations of sex trafficking and sexual assault. He is currently under federal investigation. The company’s name has since been removed from the credits.

Around the same time in January 2024, Netflix signed a $5 billion deal for the exclusive streaming rights to WWE’s flagship show, RAW. The broadcast is scheduled to begin on Netflix in January 2025, within a few months of the documentary’s release. The timing has raised eyebrows among critics, who suggest that it might benefit the new WWE administration and Netflix.

Regardless of the ongoing investigations, it’s difficult to imagine the WWE without McMahon, who has shaped the company and the industry for over half a century. While the documentary falls short in some areas, it provides a comprehensive overview of his career.

The writer is a digital communication expert and consultant currently working in the public sector. He is the mastermind behind the digital platforms, Sukhan, Mani’s Cricket Myths and Over The Line