Early Reviews of ‘Mr. McMahon’ Say Documentary Fails to Show the ‘Real’ Vince McMahon

Vince McMahon’s upcoming Netflix docuseries, Mr. McMahon, is set to delve into his life, exploring aspects that many fans might have not been aware about. The documentary is scheduled for release on September 25. However, early reviews have criticized it for failing to deliver on its promise of portraying the “real” Vince McMahon, which was a key focus when the series was first announced.

The six-part docuseries has been in development for years and is being released amid ongoing controversy surrounding Vince McMahon. This includes allegations of sexual trafficking and other well-known issues that fans are already familiar with.

While the docuseries will drop tomorrow, earlier reviews are already out. Men’s Journal reviews the Mr. McMahon docu-series, noting that it quickly becomes clear that the show won’t reveal the “true Vince McMahon.” From the start, McMahon states he won’t share his “real stories” and expresses a desire to keep his true self private. While the documentary includes his perspective, it doesn’t deliver the inside scoop many viewers might expect and the review criticized the series for its lack of authenticity.

The format usually presents McMahon’s take on an issue, then switches to an opposing view from wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer, but lacks any real discussion or fact-checking. For example, when explaining the controversial Wendi Richter incident from 1985, McMahon’s explanation goes unchallenged, despite Richter’s claims about pay equity being a factor.

The review points out that many of McMahon’s denials lack substance; he simply claims not to remember certain events, like Sable’s lawsuit against WWF in 1999. This unwillingness to deviate from the official narrative makes the series less appealing to longtime wrestling fans, who may have heard these stories countless times before. In contrast, other documentaries, like Dark Side of the Ring, provide a deeper and more critical exploration of these incidents.

Paste Magazine reviews that Mr. McMahon series covers some of Vince McMahon’s controversies but lacks a complete picture due to missing interviews. It discusses Janel Grant’s 2024 lawsuit but notes that most interviews were done before this and earlier allegations. McMahon and his family declined follow-ups, limiting the exploration of the accusations.

The series mentions WWE’s history of mistreating women but features only a few female wrestlers, missing voices like Sable, who filed a sexual harassment lawsuit. It acknowledges controversies but doesn’t fully examine misconduct allegations.

While the documentary questions some of McMahon’s claims, it mainly retells WWE’s history without offering new insights for long-time fans. Ultimately, it provides a general overview of McMahon’s career but falls short in addressing his complex legacy.

We have also reported on WWE’s backstage reaction to the upcoming documentary, as quite a few people are legitimately upset over it and even Vince McMahon tried to purchase the documentary in order to kill. Nonetheless, the early reviews might end up disappointing fans who were expecting more from the series and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon.

What’s your view on these early reviews for Vince McMahon’s documentary? Will you still be watching it? Let us know in the comments section below!