I binged this in an evening that stretched into early morning.
I knew about this documentary for some time before sitting down to watch it. I gave the first episode a shot, not expecting it to engross me in the way that it did. Professional wrestling (or, sports entertainment if you want real accuracy) was a big part of my life when I was young. My father would watch Stampede Wrestling and I’d get caught up in his excitement. He loved it in that “yell at the screen and pound the armrest of the recliner” way that real sports fans have.
I watched WWF enough to know most of the storylines, and the show always found itself on the periphery of my television time. My interest peaked during the NWO era of Eric Bischoff’s Monday Nitro and since then I’ve only had a passing interest. It’s way too gay now for me to enjoy with a straight face—pun intended—but the nostaliga lingers there in the recesses of my mind, waiting to be triggered by a documentary like Chris Smith’s Mr. McMahon.
This series was not just an exploration of the titular ringleader and mastermind behind the enterprise. It was an in-depth look at its history from the beginning to the present. A delight for any fan, and an education for everyone else.
I wanted to be shocked by the allegations, but as with Marilyn Manson’s scandal I wasn’t surprised. As horrendous and stomach-churning as the more lurid details are, I find it hard to believe that a person with the mentality of Vincent Kennedy McMahon wouldn’t be “evil incarnate.” It’s practically the job description.
Recommended watching for anyone who wants to explore the corrupting influence of catering to the howling masses and the effect of overfeeding an ego.
2024.11.23 – 2024.11.24
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