WWE is in a spot of bother yet again. This was after Ann Callis, the attorney representing Janel Grant, a former WWE employee who has accused former CEO Vince McMahon of sexual assault, issued a statement criticising the Netflix docuseries "Mr. McMahon." According to Callis, the documentary "barely scratches the surface" of McMahon's alleged criminal behaviour.
In a statement to TheWrap, Callis emphasised that McMahon's on-screen persona is similar to his alleged real-life actions. Callis argued that the "character" McMahon portrays on television, known for his violent outbursts, sexual deviance, and manipulation, is a reflection of his true self.
"The 'Mr. McMahon' docuseries makes it clear there is no difference between Vince McMahon's on-air persona and his true self, they are one and the same. His 'character' – known for violent outbursts, sexual deviance, and manipulation – is the real Vince McMahon and exactly what Janel Grant experienced behind closed doors at WWE for years," Ann Callis, who represents former WWE employee Janel Grant, said Wednesday.
"While the docuseries put McMahon's obsession with power and control on full display, it only scratches the surface of his criminal behaviour, and it fails to tell the full story of his abuse, sexual assault and human trafficking of Ms Grant," Callis continued.
Callis added that her client "deserves the opportunity to tell her story, on her own time, and in her own way" and that they "look forward to her day in court and to seeing McMahon at last held accountable for his actions."
In 2022, the Wall Street Journal reported that McMahon had paid $12 million in hush money to at least four women over 16 years. Non-disclosure agreements were signed, but one woman, Grant, violated their agreement. She filed a federal lawsuit accusing him and another former executive of serious sexual misconduct, including offering her to a star wrestler for sex.
Grant sued McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and the WWE organisation for sexual abuse and misconduct. Following the lawsuit's filing in January, McMahon resigned from WWE's parent company, TKO Group.
Meanwhile, despite granting interviews to director Chris Smith, McMahon released a statement this week distancing himself from the docuseries.
"A lot has been misrepresented or left out entirely in an effort to leave viewers intentionally confused," he asserted. "The producers use typical editing tricks with out-of-context footage and dated soundbites, etc., to distort the viewers' perception and support a deceptive narrative."