Stephanie McMahon has defended WWE Unreal against those who feel the docuseries diminishes wrestling’s mystique, arguing that the magic of the industry cannot be given away because it is an experience rather than a secret. Speaking on her What’s Your Story podcast while interviewing NXT star Oba Femi, McMahon reflected on her lifelong relationship with the wrestling business and addressed the ongoing conversation around WWE Unreal directly.
“I literally grew up in this business and thinking about all of the generations of people that I have known and learned from, and how things have evolved, and how things have changed,” McMahon said. “And yet some things still stay exactly the same.”
McMahon said she believes the docuseries enhances rather than harms the industry. “I like Unreal,” McMahon said. “I don’t think it gives away the magic. I really don’t, because the magic is the magic. The magic is a feeling, and the magic is the feeling you create and that you share, that you share with the audience, that you share with everyone who is in the ring with you.”
McMahon argued that the essence of professional wrestling is something that exists beyond any behind-the-scenes access. “It is like this kinetic energy, and you can not give that away, because it is not anything to give away, it is something you experience,” McMahon said. “I tend to agree. I think times are evolving again and it is an exciting time. It is a really exciting time to be a part of the world.”
Oba Femi agreed, pointing to how the reaction of performers watching matches from backstage underscores that the magic transcends knowledge of how it is created. “Even the boys, when they watch the matches backstage, they are still backstage and they still go like, wow, that was awesome,” Femi said. “They know how the magic is done and they are still blown away.”
The first two seasons are currently streaming, with a third season confirmed for later in 2026.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit What’s Your Story with Stephanie McMahon with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.