Netflix’s WWE Unreal may show fans a look inside WWE creative meetings, but former WWE writer and producer Chris Dunn believes some of those scenes are clearly designed to help casual viewers understand what they are watching.
Dunn addressed the series during an appearance on the Public Enemies Podcast after being asked whether the writing meetings and production discussions shown on the Netflix program resembled what he experienced while working for WWE. His answer was mixed. Dunn said parts of the show feel like the real creative process, while other moments seem arranged to explain wrestling language and backstage thinking to viewers who do not follow the business closely.
“I think there are elements that feel like a writer’s meeting there. I think some of it is definitely, like, stage producing.”
Dunn brought up a scene involving Penta, where the wrestler’s appeal was being explained to one of WWE’s lead writers. From Dunn’s perspective, the explanation was less about informing WWE creative and more about bringing the Netflix audience along for the ride.
“I saw a clip with Penta about Penta that, you know, Amon did where he’s, like, breaking down, you know, like, what’s making Penta successful to the lead writer of the show. Like, I think the lead writer knows.”
He said that kind of scene makes sense when the goal is reaching viewers who may not understand the meaning of someone getting over with fans or why certain creative decisions matter.
“You’re trying to teach the audience to get them up to speed.”
Still, Dunn did not dismiss the entire series as manufactured. He said conversations about which opponents would fit a champion, using Chelsea Green as an example, were absolutely in line with the type of discussions WWE creative would have behind closed doors.
“If Chelsea Green wins the United States title, who is she working with versus who is she not? And, like, when you’re doing wrestling right, like, those are the conversations you’re having.”
That is the balancing act for a show like WWE Unreal. Wrestling fans want the real backstage details, while Netflix also has to make the series accessible to viewers who may not know the difference between creative planning and simply putting two wrestlers in a match. Dunn’s comments suggest fans may be seeing real pieces of WWE’s process, just packaged in a way that tells the story clearly for a much wider audience.
Do you think WWE Unreal gives fans an honest look at WWE creative, or does it feel too produced for television? Let us know in the comments.
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