Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: John Cena, WWE, WrestleMania, Summerslam, Wrestling
Josh Lawless
WWE fans tuning in live for John Cena's last ever match at SummerSlam on Netflix have been issued a £1000 warning - even if they have a subscription.
Cena, who became a record 17-time world champion at WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas, defeating Cody Rhodes in his final appearance at the 'Show of Shows'.
The next stop on Cena's retirement tour, which has seen him turn to the dark side for the first time in 22 years, is a 'Street Fight' rematch with Rhodes for the undisputed WWE championship.
Advert
For the first time ever, it all goes down across two nights at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey this weekend, but will also be shown live around the world for the 17 million Netflix subscribers.
WWE first debuted on the streaming service back in January after penning a £4 billion deal with Netflix for it to become the hub of all their programming.
It followed on from Netflix making a big splash by showing Jake Paul's fight with Mike Tyson in November and seeing a record 65 million concurrent viewers.
However, even those who are subscribers will need to make sure they comply with an important law.
In the United Kingdom , consuming a live event at the time it is broadcasted requires a valid TV licence, with the TV Licensing website clarifying that it refers to anything that is "live on streaming services".
Advert
The main card at SummerSlam kicks off at 11pm BST time and anyone watching live needs to have paid for a TV licence or else they could face a fine of up to £1,000 plus court costs.
The BBC confirmed to LADbible that Netflix live events come under TV licensing laws in the UK.
Daniel McAfee, Head of Legal Operations at Lawhive, said: "Under UK law, any live television broadcast requires a valid TV licence, regardless of the streaming platform.
Advert
“We have a duty to enforce the law when there is evidence that someone has avoided paying for a TV Licence."
According to the TV licensing website, a TV licence costs £174.50 per year and can be bought as one-off payment or in installments through a direct debit. - though anyone who only wants to watch TV in black and white only has to pay £58.50.
Cena's 36-day retirement tour began in January and has seen him renew old rivalries with Randy Orton and CM Punk while adopting a villainous persona.
Advert
Deciding to hang up his jorts when he is a step slow, the Peacemaker star does not have that many dates left and his final match is poised to be in his hometown of Boston, Massachusetts at Saturday Night's Main Event in December.
Arguably the greatest to ever step inside the ring, Cena is expected to further transition into a full-time Hollywood actor after a stunning 23-year career on top in WWE.