Date: 07/29	11:00 PM
Views: 1,473

Thurs. #2 is HERE. To help out the site subscribe to Mistah MegaManFan or support us on Patreon. Don't miss all of today's news updates! With the cheap plugs out of the way here's Friday's latest wrestling news.

Kurt Angle says he received an offer from AEW after he left WWE and that he was "flattered" but unable to accept it due to the fact he can't physically go in the ring at a level he'd be satisfied with any more. (FF)

Via social media Braun Strowman is teasing "big moves" coming in his future.

New WWE related videos are available below.

Vince McMahon was asked during the 2nd quarter earnings conference call if he sees AEW as competition. I'm surprised he actually addressed it, but not at all surprised he said they weren't even as big as WCW, and that he doesn't see it as a "rising tide lifts all boats" situation in any way. Nick Khan then chimed in and said they view everything as competition including Netflix. (WWE)

In addition to Ryo Mizunami (who was hospitalized due to getting pneumonia along with the coronavirus) joshi wrestlers Nanae Takahash, Honori Hana, and Ami Miura have all tested positive for COVID-19. (PWI) Our best wishes to all of them on a full recovery.

Unless it gets postponed (again) Alberto El Patron's sexual assault trial will start next Monday. (PWI)

The latest Impact Wrestling videos are below.

From WWE.

Jiro and Waller collide, Maverick returns to take on Hale on 205 Live

An exciting edition of the purple brand is set to feature a collision between former 205 Live General Manager Drake Maverick and Asher Hale, as well as a battle between two eccentric competitors in Ikemen Jiro and Grayson Waller.

It seems entire possible - if not probable - that Waller is holding some resentment for his next opponent, as Jiro was selected to compete in the NXT Breakout Tournament and Waller was not.

Though Waller has been quick to shout, "I've already broken out!" to anyone who will listen, the Australian competitor will undoubtedly be looking to make a statement at Jiro's expense, particularly after losing each of his last two matches.

Whether competing in singles or tag team action, Jiro has posted several impressive victories since debuting in May and remains undefeated on 205 Live. Just like Waller, however, Jiro is looking to bounce back from a loss, as he was knocked out of the NXT Breakout Tournament in the first round by Duke Hudson.

205 Live

Though Maverick rarely competed on 205 Live during his run as the brand's General Manager from 2017 to 2019, he is a well-traveled, versatile Superstar who will be hungry to once again ensure that 205 Live lives up to its "Most Exciting Hour on Television" moniker.

Since leaving the purple brand, Maverick has had several runs with the 24/7 Championship, competed on NXT, and finished as the runner-up during a gritty and inspiring run through NXT's tournament to crown a new Cruiserweight Champion in May 2020.

Check out a can't miss edition of 205 Live, streaming Friday at 10/9 C on Peacock in the United States and on WWE Network everywhere else!

Wrestling Observer reporter JJ Williams has been barred from NXT tapings apparently because he was sharing the results of the pre-taped episodes of NXT online, even though as he notes "other media representatives" were at the tapings and doing the same thing. Sounds like they're taking an issue with Dave Meltzer and taking it out on him. I know the kid, I met him at a WrestleMania/Wrestling Observer convention, and he's certainly not the type of person who would have been unruly, disruptive, or caused trouble at a taping. It sucks for him to be singled out this way but AEW's Tony Khan is inviting him to their tapings with open arms. So much for Vince McMahon saying AEW isn't competition eh?

Domino's was not happy their commercial aired on AEW right after Nick Gage used a pizza cutter on Chris Jericho: "We share the concerns expressed about this incident and the content of this TV-14 rated program, and are assessing our advertising presence on it going forward." They may be out, but Upper Deck is all in on AEW trading cards.

Josh Alexander will defend the X-Division Title against Black Taurus of The Decay at Impact Homecoming. (IW)