Former WWE chairman Vince McMahon has said the Netflix documentary about his life is “misleading” despite him appearing in the show.
The documentary, titled “Mr. McMahon,” is set to be released on streaming platforms on Wednesday but has already drawn the ire of its subjects, who released lengthy statements condemning the six-part docuseries.
McMahon did not express regret over his participation, but accused producers of using “classic editing tricks” to “bolster a deceptive narrative.”
“The producers had 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,” McMahon said. ”
“Unfortunately, based on the early cuts I have seen, the documentary falls short and follows the expected path of confusing the character 'Mr. McMahon' with who I really am, Vince. The title and blurb alone make that clear. Many things are misrepresented or omitted entirely to purposely confuse viewers. The producers use typical editing tricks, including out-of-context footage and outdated soundbites, to distort viewers' perceptions and support their deceptive narrative. To further their misleading narrative, the producers use a lawsuit based on an infidelity that I ended as evidence that I am, in fact, 'Mr. McMahon.'”
He concluded his statement by urging people to remain open-minded.
McMahon, 79, resigned as chairman and director of WWE's parent company, TKO Group Holdings, after former WWE employee Janelle Grant alleged in a shocking lawsuit in January that she was sexually abused and trafficked by McMahon.
Grant agreed in May to suspend his lawsuit against McMahon and another former WWE executive, John Laurinaitis, while the federal government conducted its investigation.
In a fiery statement, Mr Grant's lawyer, Ann Callis, called Mr McMahon's claims that his relationship with Mr Grant was an affair “delusional”.
WSJ.
“Vince McMahon physically and mentally abused, sexually assaulted and trafficked Janelle Grant for over two years,” Callis 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 deeply troubling and painful, 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.”
McMahon and Laurinaitis deny the allegations.
“We are confident the evidence will prove that Ms. Grant's allegations are false and that her lawsuit is nothing more than a fabricated, revenge-driven tale by a disgruntled ex-lover,” McMahon's lawyer, Jessica Rosenberg, told The Washington Post's Ariel Zilber in May.
The documentary was 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, Paul “Triple H” LeVeck and McMahon.
According to Netflix, the series will “explore the titan's controversial reign” in WWE.
