'Mr. McMahon' Reviews: "A comprehensive portrait of a man and an industry defined by the ever-blurry line between fact and fiction"

         On September 25, 2024, Neflix released 'Mr. McMahon', which has earned predominantly positive reviews from critics. In the documentary, "the career of former WWE founder, chairman and CEO Vince McMahon" is documented from his rise to his fall from grace. But what did the critics say?

       Nick Schager of The Daily Beast praises the documentary, stating, "A comprehensive portrait of a man and an industry defined by the ever-blurry line between fact and fiction."

       BJ Colangelo of Slashfilm notes, "Beginning in 2021, director Chris Smith ("American Movie," "Tiger King") filmed over 100 hours of interviews with McMahon, his biggest stars, his business associates, journalists, and his family (who double as his employees and on-screen co-workers). Before a final interview, production was halted because inescapable allegations of sexual abuse and trafficking against McMahon hit; allegations that forced him to finally retire from WWE. This means a flurry of WWE-owned footage that they'd never have signed off on to be used in something so critical is well on display in the new Netflix docuseries "Mr. McMahon," and the talking head interviews feature people who would have never sat with a production to discuss McMahon with a pending lawsuit against him for such abhorrent and deplorable behavior. For wrestling fans, "Mr. McMahon" isn't revealing anything new, but the way Smith exposes the parallels between Vince McMahon's behavior, attitude, and personality and the way pro wrestling has evolved in tandem is some world-class craftsmanship. This Netflix docuseries didn't screw Vince McMahon. Vince McMahon screwed Vince McMahon." Adding, "I don't know what angle was initially pitched to Vince McMahon when he agreed to sit for this docuseries about his life and career, but Smith makes an absolute feast out of self-incriminating statements straight from the horse's mouth. McMahon is used to having total control of his own narrative, but with Smith's direction and the work of some incredibly gifted editors, "Mr. McMahon" lets Vince McMahon shatter his own kayfabe illusion. "I wish I could tell you the real stories. Holy s***, I don't wanna tell you these stores," he says. "I'll give you enough that it's semi-interesting. I don't want anybody to really know me." Famous last words for a man the world will see for exactly who he is whether he wants them to or not."

Photo by Oscar Vargas on Unsplash

        Garrett Martin of Paste Magazine says, "Wrestling fans have been desperate for details on Mr. McMahon ever since it was first announced almost four years ago. Produced by Bill Simmons of 30 for 30 and The Ringer fame, and directed by Tiger King producer and American Movie director Chris Smith, Mr. McMahon is the first biography of wrestling impresario Vince McMahon to be made with the cooperation of WWE, the industry-dominating wrestling company McMahon ran for 42 years until stepping down in disgrace earlier this year. Crucially, it was announced that McMahon and WWE wouldn’t have editorial control over the film, despite cooperating with its production; given McMahon’s Trumpian history of lying about himself and his company, and his attempts to control every facet of his company and its press coverage to a minute detail, this meant Mr. McMahon would be the incredibly rare piece of media that would have access to McMahon and WWE and also the freedom to portray them in an honest light. With the sordid history of McMahon and the wrestling industry in general, it seemed Mr. McMahon had the potential to open some eyes." Continuing, "Having seen the show, I can say that it might. But not those of wrestling fans, who have spent the last few decades collectively obsessed over McMahon, his industry-reshaping hubris, his genius on-screen character, and the batshit tales of his real-life, behind-the-scenes sociopathy. The hardcore wrestling fan who has consumed backstage news and rumors, “shoot” interviews with old wrestlers, shows like Dark Side of the Ring, and countless message board posts won’t learn anything new about Vince McMahon, his immediate family (all of whom have worked prominently for WWE), or his company. And the one major story Mr. McMahon could have expanded on, the ongoing lawsuit accusing McMahon of sex trafficking and assault, broke late in the show’s production; it’s covered in more than one episode, but not with the depth or access you might hope for."