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Ringmaster: Vince McMahon and the Unmaking of America
This definitive biography of Vince McMahon, former WWE chairman and CEO, is “riveting, essential reading” (Rick Perlstein,
New York Times
bestselling author) as it charts his rise from rural poverty to the throne of one of the world’s most influential media empires. Featuring exclusive interviews with more than 150 people who witnessed, aided, and suffered from his ascent.
Even if you’ve never watched a minute of professional wrestling, you are living in Vince McMahon’s world.
In his four decades as the defining figure of American pro wrestling, McMahon was the man behind Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, John Cena, Dave Bautista, Bret “The Hitman” Hart, and Hulk Hogan, to name just a few of the mega-stars who owe him their careers. For more than twenty-five years, he has also been a performer in his own show, acting as the diabolical “Mr. McMahon”—a figure who may have more in common with the real Vince than he would care to admit.
Just as importantly, McMahon is one of Donald Trump’s closest friends—and Trump’s experiences as a performer in McMahon’s programming were, in many ways, a dress rehearsal for the 45th President’s campaigns and presidency. McMahon and his wife, Linda, are major Republican donors. Linda was in Trump’s cabinet. McMahon makes deals with the Saudi government worth hundreds of millions of dollars. And for generations of people who have watched wrestling, he has been a defining cultural force and has helped foment “the worst of contemporary politics” (Kirkus Reviews).
Ringmaster built on exclusive interviews with more than 150 people, from McMahon’s childhood friends to those who accuse him of destroying their lives. “Smart, entertaining, impressively reported, and beautifully written. Wrestling fans will devour it, but everyone who wants to better understand this crazy country and one of its truly original characters ought to read it” (Jonathan Eig, author of A Life).
Even if you’ve never watched a minute of professional wrestling, you are living in Vince McMahon’s world.
In his four decades as the defining figure of American pro wrestling, McMahon was the man behind Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, John Cena, Dave Bautista, Bret “The Hitman” Hart, and Hulk Hogan, to name just a few of the mega-stars who owe him their careers. For more than twenty-five years, he has also been a performer in his own show, acting as the diabolical “Mr. McMahon”—a figure who may have more in common with the real Vince than he would care to admit.
Just as importantly, McMahon is one of Donald Trump’s closest friends—and Trump’s experiences as a performer in McMahon’s programming were, in many ways, a dress rehearsal for the 45th President’s campaigns and presidency. McMahon and his wife, Linda, are major Republican donors. Linda was in Trump’s cabinet. McMahon makes deals with the Saudi government worth hundreds of millions of dollars. And for generations of people who have watched wrestling, he has been a defining cultural force and has helped foment “the worst of contemporary politics” (Kirkus Reviews).
Ringmaster built on exclusive interviews with more than 150 people, from McMahon’s childhood friends to those who accuse him of destroying their lives. “Smart, entertaining, impressively reported, and beautifully written. Wrestling fans will devour it, but everyone who wants to better understand this crazy country and one of its truly original characters ought to read it” (Jonathan Eig, author of A Life).
491 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 28, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 30, 2024
I grew up watching wrestling in the 90s, but stopped watching as Mr. McMahon rose to power as a kayfabe character. Only now, after this book, do I realise how much he pulled the wool over my eyes as well. Fascinating read, which has given me a whole new understanding of an industry which I only knew as a teenager and apparently quite poorly.
June 15, 2026
Started strong, ended weak
Let me begin by saying this book was well researched and well written.
The early years of Vince McMahon were incredibly interesting and important to his physical/emotional growth as a person. I am not a wrestling person, so the telling of the birth of WW(W)F/E was beneficial. Overall, this was a good book...until about the halfway mark. If the author continued the last half of the book like the first half, this would be an excellent biographical book; however, the author allowed too much of their own perception, political commentary, and biases to make this book truly want it was supposed to be. Further, there are major events that the author breezed by or completely neglected to mention. Again, I'm not a wrestling fan, so the fact that I could identify the lapses means something.
Lastly, in addition to the excess commentary by the author, the ending felt incredibly rushed. In fact, the ending paragraphs were written in a different style/tone as the rest of the book. I thought I had a stroke because it just didn't connect or make sense. The essays at the end were also unnecessary - all politics aside. I went searching for a book about Vince McMahon, not about someone's identity.
I wanted to like this book, but I don't.
Let me begin by saying this book was well researched and well written.
The early years of Vince McMahon were incredibly interesting and important to his physical/emotional growth as a person. I am not a wrestling person, so the telling of the birth of WW(W)F/E was beneficial. Overall, this was a good book...until about the halfway mark. If the author continued the last half of the book like the first half, this would be an excellent biographical book; however, the author allowed too much of their own perception, political commentary, and biases to make this book truly want it was supposed to be. Further, there are major events that the author breezed by or completely neglected to mention. Again, I'm not a wrestling fan, so the fact that I could identify the lapses means something.
Lastly, in addition to the excess commentary by the author, the ending felt incredibly rushed. In fact, the ending paragraphs were written in a different style/tone as the rest of the book. I thought I had a stroke because it just didn't connect or make sense. The essays at the end were also unnecessary - all politics aside. I went searching for a book about Vince McMahon, not about someone's identity.
I wanted to like this book, but I don't.
April 14, 2026
An interesting Vince McMahon biography, primarily focused on the history up until 2000s. I expected the author to go deeper in some areas (i.e., the Benoit murder-suicide), and also talk about the political aspects of Vince’s friendship with Trump more. That may not have been the purpose of this book, but it left me wanting more.
I’ve seen some folks saying “the author should’ve left her politics of it”. I didn’t get that vibe at all. If it felt as if the author didn’t like either Vince or Trump, then you’re correct. Those two men shouldn’t be admired.
Overall, I did learn more about wrestling; however, I wish more of the modern era (with Cena, Batista, etc.) was explored more.
3/5, only because 2000-2010 should’ve had more of a section.
I’ve seen some folks saying “the author should’ve left her politics of it”. I didn’t get that vibe at all. If it felt as if the author didn’t like either Vince or Trump, then you’re correct. Those two men shouldn’t be admired.
Overall, I did learn more about wrestling; however, I wish more of the modern era (with Cena, Batista, etc.) was explored more.
3/5, only because 2000-2010 should’ve had more of a section.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews