In a move more dramatic than a steel cage match, Vince McMahon has once again shaken up his roster—not in the ring, but behind the scenes. Just days before the explosive “Mr. McMahon” docuseries hit Netflix, news broke that Vince canned his longtime PR firm, Sitrick and Company, like they were an underperforming tag team. But wait, there’s more! The former WWE Chairman didn’t leave the ring empty-handed. Oh no, McMahon quickly hired a new PR firm to handle his image… because when you’re Vince McMahon, there’s always a plan B.
According to sources (and you know they’re good when they’re “sources”), McMahon hired Edendale Strategies, led by Tony Freinberg, a man whose resume reads like the PR version of a Royal Rumble lineup. Edendale’s specialty? Crisis management. And boy, does McMahon have a few crises to manage. Edendale prides itself on navigating “high-stakes situations” where there’s “little-to-no margin for error”—so, basically, Vince’s everyday life.
Why the switch? Allegedly, McMahon believes this new firm is more in tune with the “modern media landscape.” You know, the wild west of social media, digital reporters, and memes that pop up faster than a surprise Money in the Bank cash-in. Vince isn’t just looking to rebrand; he’s looking for a tag team partner that knows how to work the internet like it’s a packed Madison Square Garden.
Edendale Strategies, founded in 2018, boasts a client list that would make any Hollywood agent jealous, including Fortune 100 companies and even “legendary sports franchises.” And with Tony Freinberg—a former NBC News producer and ex-talent agent for William Morris Agency—running the show, you can bet they’re ready to rumble in the world of public opinion. Fun fact: Freinberg’s old agency, William Morris, merged with Endeavor, WWE’s parent company, back in 2009. Coincidence? Probably not. Vince has always known how to book a good storyline.
This PR drama unfolded as McMahon continues dealing with the fallout from allegations of sex trafficking and abuse brought against him and former WWE talent chief John Laurinaitis earlier in 2024. And to make things even juicier, those allegations are resurfacing in Netflix’s six-part “Mr. McMahon” docuseries. Apparently, Vince tried to buy the rights to the series before it aired—classic power move—but Netflix wasn’t having it. So now, McMahon is doing the next best thing: damage control.
In a social media statement that could’ve been delivered with a smug heel promo, McMahon distanced himself from the series, claiming it confuses his on-screen persona with his “true self.” Right, because there’s clearly a hard line between the over-the-top, power-hungry Mr. McMahon character and the… um, power-hungry guy running WWE.
As the Netflix series sends shockwaves through both the wrestling world and Vince’s PR team, it’s clear McMahon’s next battle won’t be in the squared circle—it’ll be in the court of public opinion. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned about Vince McMahon, it’s this: never count him out before the final bell.