Despite participating in the upcoming Netflix documentary about his life, former WWE chairman Vince McMahon called it a “misleading account” of who he is.
The doc, titled “Mr. McMahon,” is set to be released Wednesday on the streaming platform and has already drawn the ire of its subject, who put out a lengthy statement decrying the six-episode docu-series.
While not expressing regret over his participation, McMahon slammed the producers for using “typical editing tricks” to “support a deceptive narrative.”
“The producers had an opportunity to tell an objective story about my life and the incredible business I built, which were equally filled with excitement, drama, fun, and a fair amount of controversy and life lessons,” McMahon said his statement.
“Unfortunately, based on an early partial cut I’ve seen, this doc falls short and takes the predictable path of conflating the ‘Mr. McMahon’ character with my true self, Vince. The title and promos alone make that evident. A lot has been misrepresented or left out entirely in an effort to leave viewers intentionally confused. The producers use typical editing tricks with out of context footage and dated soundbites etc. to distort the viewers’ perception and support a deceptive narrative. In an attempt to further their misleading account, the producers use a lawsuit based on an affair I ended as evidence that I am, in fact, ‘Mr. McMahon.’”
He ended his statement by asking the public to keep an open mind.
McMahon, 79, resigned as executive chairman and board member of TKO Group Holdings, WWE’s parent company, after former WWE employee Janel Grant alleged that McMahon sexually abused and trafficked her in a bombshell lawsuit in January.
Grant agreed to pause her lawsuit in May against McMahon and another former WWE executive, John Laurinaitis, while the feds conducted their investigation.
In a fiery statement, Grant’s attorney, Ann Callis called McMahon’s assertion that his alleged actions with Grant were an affair “delusional.”
the WSJ.
“Vince McMahon physically and emotionally abused, sexually assaulted and human trafficked Janel Grant for more than two years,” Callis said. “Calling his horrific and criminal behavior ‘an affair’ is delusional and nothing more than a sad attempt to save his shredded reputation. Although Ms. Grant has not seen the ‘Mr. McMahon’ docuseries, we hope it shines a bright light on his abhorrent and criminal actions by accurately portraying the realities of his abusive and exploitative behavior.
“Ms. Grant will no longer be silenced by McMahon. Her story, though deeply troubling and exceptionally painful, is one that can help other abuse survivors find their voices. We seek to hold McMahon, John Laurinaitis and WWE accountable and to give Ms. Grant her day in court.”
McMahon and Laurinaitis have denied the allegations.
“We remain confident the evidence will prove Ms. Grant’s allegations are false and her complaint is nothing more than a fabricated, vindictive narrative from a disgruntled former girlfriend,” Jessica Rosenberg, McMahon’s lawyer, told noti.group’s Ariel Zilber in May.
The documentary is directed by Chris Smith, who also directed “Tiger King” and executive produced by Ringer founder Bill Simmons.
It features interviews with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold Steve Austin, John Cena, and Paul “Triple H” Levesque, along with McMahon.
The series, according to Netflix, “delves into the mogul’s controversial reign” over WWE.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
