The (very) long-awaited Netflix documentary series on WWE founder Vince McMahon drops this week, and its subject wants to get ahead of what the series will show.
In a statement posted on social media late Monday, McMahon attacked the Mr. McMahon filmmakers for falsely conflating him and the character he played on television and intentionally misleading the audience — all while maintaining that he did not regret his involvement in the project.
“A lot has been misrepresented or left out entirely in an effort to leave viewers intentionally confused,” McMahon wrote. “The producers use typical editing tricks … to distort the viewers’ perception and support a deceptive narrative.”
— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) September 23, 2024
The series was executive produced by 30 for 30 co-creator and Ringer founder Bill Simmons and directed by Chris Smith of Tiger King.
McMahon’s vague statement accused them of “(using) a lawsuit based on an affair I had as evidence that I am, in fact, ‘Mr. McMahon.'”
Former WWE employee Janel Grant sued McMahon, 78, and the WWE in January, alleging sexual assault and trafficking. McMahon stepped down from TKO Holdings following Grant’s suit. The U.S. Department of Justice paused Grant’s lawsuit in May amid a federal investigation.
Mr. McMahon drops Wednesday, at which point it will become clear how significant the findings around McMahon and the WWE are. While WWE was reportedly involved in production, Simmons repeatedly indicated neither the company nor McMahon would have final say on the series.
Meanwhile, McMahon faces a continued DOJ investigation based in the Southern District of New York nearly a year after Grant’s allegations led to his departure from pro wrestling yet again.
About Brendon Kleen
Brendon is a Media Commentary staff writer at Awful Announcing. He has also covered basketball and sports business at Front Office Sports, SB Nation, Uproxx and more.