Vince McMahon documentaries tend to miss the mark

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Say what you will about Vince McMahon as a person. But, there’s no denying that he is a fascinating figure with an incredibly eventful life. This is one of the many reasons why his story has become the subject of multiple movies and documentaries. For better or worse—especially worse—McMahon will go down in history as the most successful promoter in professional wrestling… Or “sports entertainment” as he prefers to call it.

When it comes to chronicling Vince’s life, two prominent documentaries have been produced: The 9 Lives of Vince McMahon by Vice and Mr. McMahon by Netflix. Additionally, he has been featured in several other projects. Unfortunately, both documentaries have left much to be desired, though for slightly different reasons.

The 9 Lives of Vince McMahon

The 9 Lives of Vince McMahon was a rather lackluster effort. It felt more like a rehash of episodes from their Dark Side of the Ring series. They offered little in the way of new information or insights. The documentary failed to dive deep into the more controversial or complex aspects of Vince’s life. Things like the numerous allegations and questionable decisions that have plagued his career. In the end, it offered viewers a little more than a shallow recap of stories already widely known. Needless to say, it left many disappointed. It was essentially a “nothing burger” with a side of fries—unsatisfying and forgettable.

Mr. McMahon

Netflix’s Mr. McMahon documentary, on the other hand, seemed to have more potential. With Vince himself participating and big names like Hulk Hogan also involved, it had access to key figures who could have provided unparalleled insight. While it did touch on some of the darker aspects of Vince’s past—such as the various allegations and controversies—it ultimately felt more like a celebration of his legacy. It highlighted him as the mastermind behind WWE’s global dominance. However, the documentary missed an opportunity to critically examine McMahon’s actions and the impact he’s had on the wrestling industry and its culture. Like its Vice-produced counterpart, Mr. McMahon fell short of expectations. It failed to fully leverage the people and stories at its disposal.

Both documentaries ultimately failed to paint a complete and nuanced picture of a man who has shaped, and at times, damaged the world of professional wrestling. Whether through omission or softening of the harder truths, neither succeeded in balancing McMahon’s monumental successes with his equally monumental flaws.