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Surface-level “Mr. McMahon ,” reveals nothing Substantial,(DocuSeries review.)

by Rosa Parra

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I’m a wrestling fan. I grew up watching Mexican wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation, now known as World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Vince McMahon has been a prevalent presence in my life, and he’s been in charge of the WWE ever since I can remember.

He’s been in the headlines recently due to allegations and accusations that have resurfaced as well as some recent ones. So the timing to release this docuseries– “Mr. McMahon”– is interesting considering the current ongoing accusations, in addition to Monday night “Raw,” which will premiere in its new home of Netflix in January 2025. It’s the same platform that released this docuseries.

The series is comprised of six episodes of approximately 50 minutes each. It contains interviews with McMahon, reputable people who have followed the business for decades, his family members and ultimately some renowned wrestlers that have shaped specific eras, such as Hulk Hogan, The Undertaker, Bret Hart, Triple H, Shawn Michales, The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, John Cena and Cody Rhodes. Other notable names are Paul Heyman and Eric Bischoff. My initial reaction was disappointment, though. As a fan of this industry, I didn’t learn any new information. The series chronicles McMahon’s childhood, his involvement in wrestling, and how he single handedly revolutionized sports entertainment. Let me be clear on something. I can be openly disgusted and opposed to McMahon’s psychotic and predatory behavior while also acknowledging his corporate business genius. He has undoubtedly made the wrestling business what it is today while recognizing that how he did it wasn’t the most respectable.

However, McMahon comes across as a sociopath who genuinely believes everything he’s done in the wrestling business is justified. He believes that as long as he does it in the name of business, it will all be okay. He’s a businessman who has never been held accountable for his crimes, yet he is responsible for one of the most successful sports entertainment businesses ever.

We learn how McMahon didn’t meet his biological father until he was 12. His childhood was challenging as he opened up about the physical and sexual abuse he endured. I wished the series had stayed on this for longer. I want to try to understand how his childhood shaped his approach to business, his family, and the relationships he’s built along the way. We spend no more than five to ten minutes outlying that when we move on to McMahon meeting his father and entering the wrestling world. Understandably, someone of his generation would have a “leave the past in the past and only look forward” mentality. Throughout the series, we get that that’s the mindset applied to his business, the wrestlers who have worked for him, and even his family dynamics.

We then learn about the creation of Wrestlemania, how some wrestlers would react to the interviewers who ask if “wrestling was fake,” and some of the most notable relationships and rivalries in wrestling history like Hulk Hogan vs Andre the Giant. Again, these historical dates, matches and controversies have been documented before. The series also overviews past controversies like the steroid lawsuit filed against McMahon and the unfortunate passing of Owen Hart due to a horrific accident during his entrance. McMahon addresses why he decided to continue the show even though Hart was already pronounced dead when he was taken backstage. The unscripted Montreal Screwjob was another infamous incident discussed in the series.

Some of the most notable relationships and rivalries in wrestling history like Hulk Hogan vs Andre the Giant. -The Latino Slant

The only aspects that intrigued me were those about McMahon and his family dynamics. I will forever see Shane McMahon’s involvement in the WWE through an entirely different lens. There have always been interviews and commentary from those who’ve worked for Vince about his aggressive demeanor and unapologetic “passion” for the business. Still, it never dawned on me how his two children, Stephanie and Shane, would be treated more severely and held to higher standards. After all, McMahon is a business person first. Seeing Shane’s story unfold was not precisely what I was expecting. This father-and-son dynamic isn’t unfamiliar; it is a heartbreaking relationship that paints Shane in an entirely different light. One of a son who is desperate for his father’s approval. A son willing to go through anything to get that pat on the back.

Overall, “Mr. McMahon” is a docu-series with nothing new. It can enlighten those who aren’t fans or new to WWE. It doesn’t show McMahon in a good light, but that’s primarily due to his actions rather than this series. It’s a docuseries that withheld itself from confronting and questioning McMahon. It’s surface-level wrestling historical archives with nothing substantial to provide.

6/10.