One big thing
Matt Maxson, producer of Netflix’s “Mr. McMahon” docuseries, disclosed the significant challenges in finalizing the series due to ongoing controversies surrounding Vince McMahon.
Why it matters
The docuseries, initially conceived as a retrospective on McMahon’s career, evolved into a complex narrative reflecting the rapidly changing landscape of WWE and its controversial figurehead.
Key details
• The series was announced in 2020 but didn’t premiere until September 25, 2024.
• Filming began in 2021 when McMahon’s story “wasn’t necessarily the most compelling.”
• The Wall Street Journal’s exposé in 2022 forced a complete rethink of the series.
• Producer Matt Maxson recalls creating “a lot more” than 14 different cuts of the series.
By the numbers
• 4 years: Time between series announcement and premiere
• 6 parts: Number of episodes in the Netflix series
• 2018: Year the project initially began
What they’re saying
Maxson told Kevin Iole:
We had all these different endings we were workshopping like, ‘Is AEW going to be the challenge for him?’ ‘Is this going to happen?’ We had gotten pretty far into production, all of 2021 and early 2022, and I remember we were screening cuts. We had a first draft for the first five or six episodes, and I remember sitting down to watch it. As we’re reviewing it, we’re giving each other notes on things, that was when the first Wall Street Journal article came out. We had to take a backseat from there and rethink everything from the ground up.”
The big picture
The “Mr. McMahon” docuseries transformed from a career retrospective into a dynamic narrative encompassing McMahon’s alleged misconduct, industry impact, and ongoing legal challenges.
What’s next
As legal proceedings continue, including a lawsuit filed by Janel Grant in January 2024, the wrestling world watches to see how these developments will further shape McMahon’s legacy and WWE’s future.
How do you think the ongoing controversies surrounding Vince McMahon will impact WWE’s future? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
