Random Thoughts On The Mr. McMahon Doc

 

I finished the Mr. McMahon documentary over the weekend. While some say they didn't learn anything new, I learned a few things. I wonder what were they looking for? Information on a enigma or controversy?

Even though there have been many thoughts on the doc since its release last week. What's another one right? Here are ten random thoughts I had after watching the doc.

10. Loved Eric Bischoff pointing out Vince McMahon's hypocrisy 

In Episode 3 ScrewJob when the topic comes up that Turner and WCW started signing talent from WWF. Vince McMahon sued them for using their IP and a clip is shown of McMahon saying Turner is trying to put him out of business. A clip is then shown of Eric Bischoff and Dave Meltzer correctly pointing out McMahon did the same thing to other promotions when he built up the WWF. 

9. Wish More Business Partners Were Interviewed 

Kay Koplovitz the founder and former CEO of the USA network, is interviewed during the series. She offers an unique perspective as a business partner with Vince and the WWE in regards to his behavior and family dynamics. I wish More executives from different WWE partners over the years were interviewed. From Paramount during the TNN/SpikeTV era...NBC during the original Saturday Night Main Event run. Filmmakers during WWE Studios time. Advertisers, toy manufacturers. Hell it may have been an episode on its own.

I'm not sure if the producers weren't sure who to reach out to. Or if they reached out and were turned down. I would have liked to get more perspective from outsiders who had dealings with Vince. How tough of a negotiator was he? His thinking during certain eras. Things he was adamant about as far as the brand etc.

8. Bruce Prichard is a Vince McMahon shill

Listening to Bruce Prichard talk in interviews or on his podcast Something To Wrestle it's clear he is very loyal to Vince McMahon. Which I understand he has a comfortable life based on Vinces employment. And Vince helping him and his family in their time of need helping extend his wife's life, would make anyone loyal to his.

Yet even being loyal for those reasons doesn't negate the fact Bruce is a Vince shill. It almost came off like Vince never did anything wrong or had a bad idea. That he is the greatest man to walk the earth at times.

7. Imagine if WWE did buy UFC

While the two are now under the same conglomerate. What if WWE did buy UFC back when they had the opportunity? I'm pretty so the two entities would have done cross over promotions and Vince would have used UFC to be more accepted by the general media.

UFC definitely would have taken on a more theatrical approach, so it probably was for the best. Vince gave his reasons why he didn't pursue it in the doc. I truly believe though because it was Shane's idea and because it wasn't something he was building from the ground up like a WBF or XFL. Were the main reasons Vince opted not to buy them.

6.Hulk Hogan Really Does Bitch Shit

When you listen to Hulk Hogan talk he has a disoriented sense of time and reality. He also is a egomaniac which is apparent. Although we've heard the stories, to actually hear him say he ratted out Jesse Ventura to Vince Mcmahon...shows he has serious bitch tendencies at heart.

5. How Did Rita Chatterton Situation Not Raise More eyebrows?

Even with the steroid scandal and other allegations at that time. How was Rita Chatterton's story not given more attention? Being the first woman to step forward about McMahon she clearly was trying to prevent other woman from falling under his prey. It's a shame that was the state of the world under the time that it was not taken seriously.

4. I feel Bad For Shane McMahon

There's always been speculation that Shane McMahon was kind of the black sheep of the family. This documentary all but confirms it in episode 5 Family Business. Shane always wanted his fathers respect and it seems like because Shane was a different breed of person from Vince, Vince never fully respected him.

Having had a fractured relationship with my own father until I became one. I understand where Shane was coming from and how hurt he was all those years of how his father treated him even if it was a different way of displaying love. The fact he did not take the reigns probably still bothers him.

3. It's clear Vince used Mr. McMahon to cover up his oddball ways

In Episode 4 Attitude when talking about the Mr. McMahon character, Stone Cold mentions the best characters are folk's personalities turned up. In that case the Mr. McMahon character was a way for Vince to display his eccentric ways in the name of entertainment and not have people start questioning his ways.

2. Vince's Childhood

I had read somewhere that Vince grew up poor. I never knew though that he didn't meet his father until he was 12 years old. Though it seemed they patched things up as he got older, something like that definitely played a part in his behavior. It may help explain why he treated Shane the way he did.

Deep down Vince has some issues he never worked out which likely contributed to some of his transgressions.

1. Vince McMahon Is Very Complex Figure

I wrote an article when the Janel Grant lawsuit became public. And this documentary further proves my opinion on Vince McMahon. Yes, he is a narcissist, petty, and quite sadistic. Yes he's done some good deeds for people. By all accounts however, he's not a good person.

On the other hand he is responsible for pro wrestling being what it is today. From storylines, theatrics and national TV deals, much it wouldn't have been possible without his willpower. So we have a man we loathe but a product he created we loved. No matter what happens if he goes to trial and how tarnished his legacy is. We cannot deny what he has done to make professional wrestling the juggernaut it is today. Which makes him an overly complex individual.