Rick Kogan: In ‘Mr. McMahon,’ Netflix Explores the Man Behind Wrestling’s Vince McMahon
His character, “Mr. McMahon,” which he played in the mid-1990s, is part of this complicated story.
Rick Kogan reviews Netflix's "Mr. McMahon," a show about Vince McMahon, the man who made WWE famous, and looks at his life, career, and the troubles he's faced.
Vince McMahon is a famous name in the world of wrestling. He changed professional wrestling into a huge entertainment business. But he also has a lot of controversy around him.
Now, Netflix is telling his story in a six-part documentary called “Mr. McMahon.” This series looks at his life, career, and the problems he has faced.
Vince McMahon built World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) into a global sensation. He is responsible for creating superstars like Hulk Hogan, The Rock, and John Cena.
The series shows how he changed wrestling from a small, local sport into a big money-making machine. Much like Ray Kroc did with McDonald's, McMahon created something massive out of something small.
But McMahon is also a man with many sides. Some people think he is a genius, while others think he is a bad guy.
His character, “Mr. McMahon,” which he played in the mid-1990s, is part of this complicated story. The documentary, produced by Bill Simmons and directed by Chris Smith, shows both his personal life and his wrestling business.
From Humble Beginnings to WWE Kingpin
Vince McMahon had a tough childhood. He didn’t meet his father until he was 12 years old. Before that, he lived with his mother and stepfather, who he says hurt him. His father, Vince McMahon Sr., was a well-known wrestling promoter in the Northeast, running a small wrestling circuit. Young Vince wanted to be a wrestler like his dad, but his father said no.
Instead, Vince Jr. got involved behind the scenes. He started by announcing matches. Eventually, he bought the company from his father.
Then, he did something no one expected.
He expanded the business beyond the Northeast, breaking the “gentlemen’s agreement” that kept wrestling promoters from stepping on each other’s toes.
Vince took over other territories, stole their wrestlers, and staged bigger events. This bold move helped him turn WWE into the big brand it is today. He also added a dramatic flair to wrestling by creating characters and stories, just like a movie or play.
Building the WWE Empire
One of McMahon’s biggest achievements was creating WrestleMania in 1985. This event became wrestling’s answer to the Super Bowl. It was a show that drew fans from all over the world.
Celebrities like Aretha Franklin and Andy Warhol attended, making it more than just a sports event. It was a cultural celebration.
In the 1980s, McMahon tapped into real-world events. He created matches like Hulk Hogan vs. the Iron Sheik, drawing on real tensions from the Iran hostage crisis. Fans loved it, and the crowds grew bigger and louder.
Scandals and Controversies
While McMahon has been very successful, his career hasn’t been without scandal. Legal problems follow him throughout the Netflix series.
One of the biggest was a lawsuit filed by a former employee, Janel Grant, who accused him of serious crimes. McMahon denied all accusations, calling them “lies” and “distortions.” Although this case isn’t covered much in the documentary, it still affects his recent years.
The series also looks back at earlier accusations. In the 1980s, WWE’s first female referee, Rita Chatterton, accused McMahon of rape. He denied it, saying the relationship was consensual, but later paid her a large settlement to avoid more legal problems.
McMahon has also faced other legal issues. In the 1990s, the U.S. government took him to court for distributing illegal steroids. He was found not guilty, but the trial still hurt his reputation.
Family, Friends, and Rivals
Throughout his career, McMahon has had support from his family. His wife, Linda, played a big role in WWE’s business and even ran for U.S. Senate. She later worked for former President Donald Trump.
His daughter, Stephanie McMahon, and son-in-law, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, also work for the company. His son Shane was a wrestler for a time, too.
The documentary features interviews with many of WWE’s biggest stars, like Hulk Hogan, The Rock, and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. They share stories about working with McMahon and how he helped them become famous.