Netflix’s docuseries *Mr. McMahon* offers a nostalgic yet critical look at the life and career of Vincent Kennedy McMahon, the driving force behind the transformation of professional wrestling from a regional pastime into a global phenomenon.
Spanning six episodes, the series captures the essence of wrestling history while delving into McMahon’s significant impact on the industry.
The show highlights the stark contrast between McMahon’s business acumen and the troubling culture of professional wrestling.
Initially a small operation in 1969, the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) saw explosive growth under McMahon, culminating in events like the 1987 WrestleMania III, where over 93,000 fans attended at the Pontiac Silverdome.
The series does not shy away from the darker side of this evolution, featuring candid remarks from WWE legends like Tony Atlas about the industry’s historical abuse of women and the pervasive drug culture.
Mr. McMahon alternates between showcasing McMahon’s strategic brilliance and exposing the underbelly of the wrestling world. Early episodes combine anecdotes of McMahon’s innovations with scandalous incidents, including Hulk Hogan’s infamous on-air altercation with Richard Belzer.
As the series progresses, it emphasizes the intense relationship between McMahon and Hogan, exploring the fallout of Hogan’s switch to rival World Championship Wrestling (WCW), which ignited the Monday Night Wars.
The series is accessible to both casual viewers and dedicated wrestling fans, effectively explaining industry jargon and narrative techniques.
Notably, it charts the evolution of wrestling’s portrayal, especially during the shift to the so-called “Attitude Era,” where the tone became significantly more adult-oriented, featuring obscenity and misogyny.
This transition raises questions about the ethics of entertainment, particularly as it relates to WWE’s culture of harassment and misconduct allegations against McMahon himself.
In its final episodes, the docuseries covers the fallout from McMahon’s scandals, culminating in a January 2024 lawsuit that could end his reign in wrestling.
Ultimately, Mr. McMahon is a compelling reflection on the complexities of American culture, illustrating how a figure like McMahon can thrive amidst both the absurdity and depravity of the industry he helped create.
While the series may not warrant repeated viewing, it offers valuable insights into the darker aspects of entertainment that many would prefer to keep away from the next generation.
