Mr. McMahon: Gourou du catch

I started following the WWF in the mid-70's with Bruno Sammartino, all the way through the Hulk Hogan era, and then only sporadically after that with Stone Cold and The Rock. So I have to say I was probably looking forward to this more than just about anything that has been released on streaming in the last few years.

Professional wrestling used to be so secretive, but now that McMahon has admitted the whole thing is more entertainment than a sport, many of the secrets have been revealed. I've seen some things over the last few years that have revealed some of it, and this documentary confirmed and revealed more for me.

As for Vince McMahon, he is a very polarizing, complex man. Think along the lines of Bobby Knight, Donald Trump, Woody Hayes, or George Steinbrenner. So I'm not sure what to think about him as a person, but as a businessman, he is a genius to do what he did with the transformation of professional wrestling.

Most documentaries on streamers are endless, and should be cut down. Conversely, this is only six episodes long. I think this could have easily been 10 episodes, and still would have been interesting.

The first episode of Netflix's docuseries "Mr. McMahon" dives deep into the life and career of Vince McMahon, the controversial figure behind WWE. Directed by Chris Smith, known for his work on "Tiger King," the series sets out to explore the rise and fall of McMahon, offering a comprehensive look at his impact on professional wrestling and the darker aspects of his legacy.

The episode begins by establishing McMahon's early life and his initial foray into the wrestling business. It paints a picture of a man driven by ambition and a desire to transform the wrestling industry. Through interviews with McMahon himself, his family, and various WWE personalities, the episode provides a multifaceted view of his character. McMahon's charisma and business acumen are highlighted, but so are his ruthless tactics and controversial decisions.

One of the standout elements of the episode is its use of archival footage and interviews. Smith has meticulously compiled over 100 hours of interviews, capturing candid moments with McMahon and those close to him. This footage is interwoven with clips from WWE's history, creating a narrative that is both engaging and informative. The episode does not shy away from the controversies that have surrounded McMahon, including allegations of sexual abuse and trafficking. These issues are addressed head-on, providing a stark contrast to the public persona McMahon has cultivated over the years.

The episode also delves into the evolution of WWE under McMahon's leadership. It explores how he transformed the company from a regional promotion into a global entertainment powerhouse. Key moments, such as the creation of WrestleMania and the rise of iconic wrestlers like Hulk Hogan and The Rock, are covered in detail. The episode highlights McMahon's ability to innovate and adapt, but it also underscores the ethical compromises he made along the way.

One of the most compelling aspects of the episode is its portrayal of McMahon as a complex and often contradictory figure. On one hand, he is shown as a visionary who revolutionized professional wrestling. On the other, he is depicted as a manipulative and morally ambiguous individual. This duality is captured through interviews with WWE insiders, journalists, and former wrestlers. Their testimonies provide a nuanced perspective on McMahon's legacy, revealing both admiration and resentment.

The episode's pacing is well-executed, balancing historical context with personal anecdotes. It moves seamlessly between different time periods, offering a cohesive narrative that keeps viewers engaged. The editing is particularly noteworthy, as it juxtaposes McMahon's public statements with behind-the-scenes revelations. This technique effectively exposes the gap between his public image and the reality of his actions.

However, the episode is not without its flaws. Some critics have pointed out that it does not delve deeply enough into the experiences of McMahon's victims. While the allegations against him are mentioned, the focus remains largely on his career and influence. This has led to some criticism that the series is too sympathetic towards McMahon, failing to fully hold him accountable for his actions.

Despite these shortcomings, the first episode of "Mr. McMahon" is a compelling start to the series. It offers a detailed and balanced look at one of the most influential figures in professional wrestling. The episode succeeds in capturing the complexity of McMahon's character, providing viewers with a thought-provoking exploration of his legacy.

In conclusion, the first episode of "Mr. McMahon" sets the stage for a gripping docuseries that promises to delve into the highs and lows of Vince McMahon's career. Through a combination of archival footage, interviews, and expert storytelling, it paints a vivid picture of a man who has left an indelible mark on the world of professional wrestling. Whether you are a wrestling fan or simply interested in the story of a controversial figure, this episode is a must-watch.

Don't expect a big beat up of Vince McMahon here. Being mostly filmed before the last damaging allegations, this is more a focus on Vince McMahons business mind - and how he swallowed the whole wrestling world under his ruthless ambition and business acumen.

It's at its most interesting giving an insight into the workings of Vince McMahons mind, he reveals more than he needs to at times (including how he has sometimes said things to get ahead and sway/program others as promotion), the other most interesting is the history of WWE. I learnt a lot although some WWE die-hards will prefer the Dark Side of the Ring.

It doesn't shy away from the allegations, and is better for it. Bret Hart, Dave Meltzer and Eric Bischoff are great interviews. Vince is too reserved at times. He's a brilliant mind, and a brilliant villian, but potentially not a good guy. Time will tell so enjoy this documentary for what it is.

This documentary has to be viewed in the current climate that WWE & Netflix have a deal, & both have a shared interest in promoting Raw in 2025. So if you are a long-term wrestling fan, this disjointed documentary won't tell you anything new.

It clearly started out life as a puff peice for WWE & Vince McMahon, who gets to talk a lot about himself while not really revealing anything much about himself. However, there are some unintentionally creepy moments in his interview that Netflix exploits to the full. The talking heads on the whole say positive things about McMahon, & even those who speak out against him feel like they've been specially selected by Vince, so that he can rebuke their comments & knock them down like skittles. Whether he does this successfully is up for debate.

The documentary appears to have been shelved in 2022 when McMahon stepped down as CEO. You can almost feel the bitterness when Netflix puts up the caption that McMahon ceased all interviews at this time, leaving them high & dry. When WWE & Netflix brokered a deal for Raw, the finishing of this documentary must have been on the table as part of the deal, timed to promote the new partnership. Then the law suit happened, & what you are left with is a mess of a final episode.

The last 15 years are glossed over, & if you don't know much about WWE, you are left thinking John Cena was the last big superstar. Roman Reigns is relegated to someone who just wanders around in the background & a few match clips. The second half of the episode covers the law suit, but here Netflix hands are tied. As the investigation & law suit are not concluded, & they are now linked to WWE they really can't say much. It's just a few rehashed news clips & screen shots of text messages briefly flashed on screen which leaves the last episode, & series on a whole, feeling like a disappointment. Perhaps McMahon sensed this & has spoken out about distancing himself from the project, & there's a story that he tried to buy it back to keep it from airing. This just sounds like Vince McMahon the showman/the promoter, generating heat for the show to get people to watch it, & it worked. He's probably laughing behind the scenes, & reinforcing that he's still involved with the WWE product, without officially being involved.

Big wrestling fan here, already knew most of the stories that were told, though I did learn some things I didn't know, like for example things about Vince's childhood. Thought the production was really good & watched it all in one day, but the single most important thing people need to know about this is that it was mostly recorded in 2021 which means that you have to wait until the final episode for all the recent allegations. This is why I understand why wrestling fans especially, will have maybe expected more cause they already heard many of the stories, but I still think its a good watch, not an epic watch but a good one, where you will also learn more about other wrestlers from the way they speak about Vince.