ECW Arena (UPDATE - not closing down)

[Steveweiser]

THE FORMER ECW ARENA SHUTTING DOWN
by Dave Scherer @ 2:58 PM on 12/6/2011

The building formerly known as The ECW Arena at the corner of Swanson and Ritner St. in South Philadelphia is shutting down immediately. Promoters that have equipment in the building have been told that they have 48 hours to get everything out. The final event in the venue was CZW's Cage Of Death on 12/3. The venue debuted as a wrestling arena for ECW when founder Tod Gordon ran there in 1993. It quickly became one of the more famous wrestling venues in the world.

There have been rumors for the last year that the building was going to be purchased and used to house a religious organization. Several weeks ago The Philadelphia Inquirer there was an article about issues between the current leaseholder of the building, Roger Artigiani, and another potential leaseholder that wanted to make the venue a concert hall. We will have more information as it comes in.



EDIT: False alarm, as explained further down the page.

[________ has left the building]

[Steveweiser]

Appears the story's been taken down from PWInsider. Very odd.

[thirteen3]

Well, that f***s over CZW. That was pretty much their established venue. Looks like it's DEEJ's mum's backyard from now on.

[mcmahonfan85]

is there a reason why i don't see this posted on PWInsider?

[Classy Lady]

If this is the case, I wonder where CHIKARA will house up. It sucks for them, but I think they have enough established towns now that they can find somewhere for the time being.

I never got to go there.. Getting paid in buttons sucks.

[Hawk Hart]

Dec 6, 2011 15:21:21 GMT -5 mcmahonfan85 said:

is there a reason why i don't see this posted on PWInsider?

Check about two posts back.

I'll believe it when I see it.

[Steveweiser]

Mike Johnson tweeted that he's checking the story over to see if Dave Scherer got his sources right over it.

[Deleted]

Please god, let this not be true.

[froggyfrog]

As a fairly regular visitor I hope this isn't true

[kingoftheindies]

Dec 6, 2011 15:20:07 GMT -5 thirteen3 said:

Well, that f***s over CZW. That was pretty much their established venue. Looks like it's DEEJ's mum's backyard from now on.

nah it won't. They'll just move to a venue down at Passyunk

[A Platypus Rave]

Wasn't there a story about a year ago that they were going to close... but they decided against it...

[BlackoutCreature]

Well there goes my dream of promoting a show there and main eventing it with Mick Foley and Dewey vs. The Sandman and his kid.

[mcmahonfan85]

The story isn't back up on PWInsider yet but Lenny Leonard is confirming it on twitter. A sad day indeed

RIP ECW Arena

[Slingshot Suplay]

First the Sportatorium, now the ECW Arena.

[moneyman20]

Brutal. That place held a lot of great moments in wrestling.

[Steveweiser]

Looks like it's not as dramatic as first feared...

Roger Artigiani will be selling his interests in the Asylum Arena to the previous owner/operator of the Trocadero Joanna Pang, who (as stated in previous articles in the Philadelphia Daily News) wants to put on concerts there with the blessing of its current owner, Stein & Silverman.

It is important to note that wrestling and other sporting events WILL continue to be run at the venue.

Combat Zone Wrestling will continue to run shows at the venue; and for the short term, Artigiani will manage the transition to the building's new owners.

www.pwbts.com/messages/50533.htm

[mcmahonfan85]

IT'S A (insert winter holiday) MIRACLE!!!

[Deleted]

Oh thank god!

And at least (HOPEFULLY), they'll change it back to "The Arena". Bright side: No more "Asylum Arena". ;D

[moneyman20]

Great to hear they decided against it.