Kick streamer N3on forced to apologise after backstage incident involving WWE star Penta

Kick streamer N3on was forced to issue an apology after filming WWE superstar Penta without his mask on in a backstage area.

N3on, who has 681,000 followers on the platform, was streaming live for seven hours at the first day of Fanatics Fest in New York City - the sports fan festival which had stars from football, NBA, NFL, tennis and more present.

Ahead of Saturday Night's Main Event in Madison Square Garden, WWE also had a strong presence at the blockbuster event.

There were appearances from John Cena, Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, Rhea Ripley and many others - including Intercontinental champion Penta.

But the Mexican wrestler was involved in a hugely controversial moment at the event when N3on, real name Mikyle Rafiq, crossed paths with him.

As is tradition in Lucha Libre, Penta wears a mask and has done for the entirety of his career.

But in the backstage area at the Javits Center and away from his signings, Penta was walking around without his mask.

Having been given access, N3on came into the vicinity and introduced himself to Penta and Stephanie Vaquer.

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He was streaming live at the time and his camera caught Penta walking past without his mask but with face paint. The mask was seen in the background of the shot on the table.

Noticing he had been filmed for a brief moment, Penta told N3on, "I use [a] mask" - to which he asked "No camera?".

Penta then asked, "Can you delete this please?" - to which N3on said he would even though it was already live. The streamer had an open-mouthed facial expression and did not appear to know what to do.

The clip was widely shared on social media and racked up millions of views.

The following day, when N3on appeared at the second day of the festival, a member of security spoke to him about the incident and revealed he had seen the clip online as he told him the strict filming rules for the green room.

"Yesterday you guys took a video with the wrestler with his face painted and you posted it," he told N3on, before appearing to inform him that no recording was allowed in the green room.

Streamer responds after WWE star asks him to delete footage in closed-off area

Despite the situation, N3on was later given access to WWE's show at MSG and live streamed for virtually the entire event after getting permission to do so.

On that stream, he took the opportunity to break his silence on the controversy with Penta and issued an apology.

"I just wanted to apologise. It was a clear misunderstanding. They told him that he could take the mask off in that area and they told me I could stream in that area.

"It just clashed and s*** happened. It was never my intention to out you on purpose and I'm sorry."

N3on was shown on the official WWE broadcast and acknowledged on his stream that he was booed by fans in attendance when he flashed up on the screen.

For many wrestlers in Mexico, their masks are considered to be sacred and Penta wears it for all of his public appearances.

He has gone on record to say he would only lose the mask in a stipulation match with his brother Rey Fenix.