Vince McMahon, the former chairman of WWE and TKO Group Holdings, has slammed Netflix's upcoming documentary series that looks back on the rise of the professional wrestling mogul and the controversy that has surrounded him for decades.
“Mr. McMahon” is a six-episode miniseries that premieres on Netflix on Wednesday. The series is directed by Chris Smith and executive produced by Bill Simmons and Zara Duffy.
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Vince McMahon attends an XFL game at Giants Stadium. (Andrew Savulich/NY Daily News Archives via Getty Images)
McMahon expressed his concerns about the way the show was edited and how he was allegedly cast as a real-life TV character.
“I have no regrets about participating in this Netflix documentary. The producers saw the opportunity to tell an objective story about my life and the amazing business I've built, which was filled with excitement, drama, fun and a fair amount of controversy and life lessons,” the statement read. “Unfortunately, based on the early cut I've seen, the documentary falls short and follows the expected path of confusing the 'Mr. McMahon' character with who I really am, Vince. The title and advertising alone make that clear.”
“Many parts have been misrepresented or omitted entirely to deliberately confuse viewers. Producers have used classic editing tricks, including out-of-context footage and outdated audio, to distort audience perception and reinforce a misleading narrative.”
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Then-WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon speaks during a press conference announcing the WWE Network at the 2014 International CES at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas on January 8, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
“To further their misleading narrative, producers are using a lawsuit I just concluded based on an infidelity claim to be me, in fact, 'Mr. McMahon.'”
“I ask viewers to keep an open mind and remember that there are two sides to every story.”
McMahon is also being sued by former employee Janelle Grant for alleged sexual misconduct and sex trafficking.
Grant's lawyer, Ann Callis, read a statement about the Netflix series last week.
“Janelle Grant is a victim of incomprehensible abuse, sexual assault and human trafficking at the hands of Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis and WWE,” Callis said. Cageside seats“It takes great strength to speak out against Goliath. She has courageously come forward not only to address her own suffering, but also for those who are afraid to speak up.”
“She is a human being – an intelligent, kind, compassionate woman – but after being subjected to extreme cruelty, humiliation, exploitation and violence almost daily for over two years, she now suffers from severe post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidal thoughts and is unable to leave her home for weeks at a time.
“Janelle's story is an important one and we hope the Netflix docuseries does it justice. Her experiences are essential to telling WWE and Mr. McMahon's story accurately and completely. While Janelle is not a part of the Netflix docuseries, we hope it will shed light on Mr. McMahon's abhorrent conduct on WWE property and portray the reality of his abusive and exploitative behavior. Many of the reports in recent months have not portrayed her as she should be: a victim of human trafficking and sexual abuse.”
Then-WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon attended a press conference announcing the massive international event WrestleMania XXIX at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on February 16, 2012. (John W. Ferguson/WireImage)
Grant did not take part in the documentary series due to his ongoing lawsuit against McMahon, John Laurinaitis and WWE.
Kallis released a new statement about the documentary series late Monday.
“Vince McMahon physically and mentally abused, sexually assaulted and trafficked Janelle Grant for over two years,” the statement said. “To call his horrific and criminal conduct an 'affair' is delusional and a sad attempt to protect his tarnished reputation. While Ms. Grant has not seen the 'Mr. McMahon' documentary series, we hope that it will shed a bright light on his heinous criminal conduct by accurately portraying the true nature of his abusive and exploitative behavior.”
“Ms. Grant will not be silenced by Mr. McMahon. Her story, while extremely troubling and heartbreaking, can help other victims of abuse to speak out. We demand that Mr. McMahon, John Laurinaitis and WWE be held accountable and that Ms. Grant be allowed to testify in court.”
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Fox News Digital has reached out to Netflix and The Ringer, which Simmons owns, for comment.
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