Vince McMahon blasts Netflix documentary: 'It's not the whole story'

Vince McMahon is once again at the center of controversy, but this time it's not inside the wrestling ring-it's on Netflix. With the release of a highly anticipated documentary, McMahon has shared his thoughts, and he's not pulling any punches. The former WWEchairman, who stepped down amidst scandal, is now speaking out about the film, urging fans to "keep an open mind" about its portrayal of his life and career.

In a statement posted on his X , McMahon made it clear that he doesn't regret participating in the project. However, his tone shifted when he expressed concerns about how the final cut presents him. "The producers had the chance to tell an objective story about my life-one full of excitement, drama, and, yes, controversy," McMahon wrote. "But from what I've seen, it falls short and blurs the line between Vince McMahon, the person, and 'Mr. McMahon,' the character I played on TV."

The Netflix documentary, titled Mr. McMahon, covers the rise of Vince McMahon from wrestling promoter to one of the most influential figures in sports entertainment. But the story doesn't shy away from the controversies that led to his downfall. McMahon stepped down from WWE after allegations of misconduct surfaced, and according to sources close to the film, those allegations play a significant role in shaping the narrative.

McMahon's issue seems to be with the way the filmmakers chose to connect his real-life persona with the larger-than-life character he portrayed on WWE programming. "The documentary goes for the easy route,"McMahon said."It confuses viewers by conflating me with the 'Mr. McMahon' character, which is only one side of the story."

As one might expect from the man who has long been at the helm of sports entertainment, McMahon's statement was carefully crafted, aiming to plant seeds of doubt about the integrity of the film. He claimed that "editing tricks" were employed to mislead viewers and that the production left out key pieces of information to suit a particular narrative. "They've used out-of-context footage, old soundbites, and other tricks to distort the truth," McMahon alleged.

From wrestling mogul to controversial icon: Netflix shifts focus on Vince McMahon's scandals

The documentary, which took years to produce, was initially a straightforward look at McMahon's wrestling empire. But as McMahon's legal troubles mounted, the filmmakers adjusted the focus to include the more salacious aspects of his life, particularly the lawsuits and scandals that culminated in his resignation. McMahon insists that these elements are being exaggerated for dramatic effect.

One of McMahon's central points in his public response is that viewers should not accept the film at face value. "There are always two sides to every story," he noted, suggesting that the documentary does not capture the full picture. He hopes audiences will dig deeper and consider his perspective as well.

In addition to McMahon's personal statements, the documentary features interviews with family , WWE stars, and business associates. These interviews are expected to provide additional context to McMahon's career highs and lows, but it remains to be seen whether these perspectives will or contradict McMahon's narrative.

Executive producer Chris Smith, known for his previous work on Tiger King, has emphasized that the goal of Mr. McMahon was to provide a nuanced view of the man behind the wrestling empire. "We set out to reveal the real Vince McMahon, but as the story unfolded, it became much more complex," Smith said in a press release. "The result is a documentary that offers a multifaceted look at his legacy."

With the documentary set to premiere on Netflix on September 25, fans and critics alike are eagerly awaiting the release. Whether McMahon's concerns hold water or not, the documentary is sure to ignite debate, both within the wrestling community and beyond. One thing is certain-when it comes to Vince McMahon, the drama never stays behind the curtain or on the ring for that matter.