AS I SEE IT 8/25: The ECW Arena heats up

AS I SEE IT
Bob Magee
Pro Wrestling: Between the Sheets
PWBTS.com

After a quiet late summer interlude, the ECW (New Alhambra) Arena heats up as the site for two consecutive wrestling doubleheader weekends on September 13 and September 20.

First, CZW returns to the ECW Arena for the annual Chris Ca$h Memorial doubleheader. The Chri$ Ca$h Memorial Show opens events up at 2:00 pm. Admission is free for the afternoon show with a donation to the Ca$h Memorial Fund.

Then, the evening show, entitled "Down With The $ickness 4 Ever" takes place with a 8:00 pm belltime at the ECW Arena.

Featured matches for the evening show that have been announced thus far are:

  • BLKOUT (Joker, Ruckus and Sabian) meets the B-Boy led Team Ca$h (B-Boy and "friends of Cash")

  • Then, The H8 Club returns at the evening show as Nick Gage and Nate Hatred to highlight the evening's DOWN WITH THE SICKNE$$ event. After years apart, you can be sure the most dominant force in CZW history - the H8 Club - will have something very violent in store for Notorious Inc.

    Also scheduled to appear: Danny Havoc, DJ Hyde, Brain Damage, Pinkie Sanchez, Chuck Taylor, and many more!

    Then September 20 features another doubleheader, as Velocity Pro Wrestling begins the events by returning to the ECW Arena with an afternoon show (2:00 pm belltime). The promotion is offering a special $10 general admission ticket for this Velocity Pro event when you show/purchase a Ring of Honor ticket for that evening's show.

    The feature match is The Best Around vs. The Briscoe Brothers

    Debuting that afternoon at the ECW Arena is Pro Wrestling NOAHs's Bobby Fish and International Wrestling Cartel/Pittsburgh's Ray Rowe.

    Others scheduled to appear include: Sterling James Keenan, Adam Flash and Stephanie, Shiima Xion and Super Hentai.

    Tickets are available at http://www.vpwrestling.com.

    Then, that evening, Ring Of Honor returns to Philadelphia, PA on Saturday, September 20 at the ECW Arena, located at the corner of Swanson and Ritner in south Philadelphia, PA (their usual venue, the Northeast National Guard Armory is being used for delopyment related activities), with a 8:00 pm belltime.

    Tickets

    Tickets are available at ROHwrestling.com, or by calling (215) 781-2500. Tickets available are currently 4th row and general admission.

    Matches

    Matches announced:

  • Kensuke Sasaki and Katsuhiko Nakajima will be in action...

  • Steel Cage Warfare
    The Briscoes and Austin Aries vs. The Age of the Fall (Jimmy Jacobs, Tyler Black and Delirious) vs. The Necro Butcher and ?

    Also scheduled to appear: ROH World Champion Nigel McGuinness; FIP World Heavyweight Champion Erick Stevens; NWA World Heavyweight Champion Brent Albright; Bryan Danielson; Austin Aries; Jerry Lynn; Sweet & Sour Inc. of Chris Hero, Go Shiozaki, Adam Pearce, Sara Del Rey, Shane Hagadorn, Eddie Edwards, Bobby Dempsey with Larry Sweeney; Roderick Strong; Claudio Castagnoli; Kevin Steen and El Generico; plus Daizee Haze

    Directions



    Directions from I-95 north (New York/New England/Central New Jersey)
    - Take 95 South to Exit 19 (Front Street exit)
    - Make left at light (Front Street)
    - Go to next light (Oregon Avenue) make right
    - Go under 95 underpass and make first left (Swanson Street)
    - Follow Swanson St. 3 blocks to Ritner St.
    - Make left at Ritner & New Alhambra is on the corner

    Directions from I-95 south (Delaware/Maryland)
    - Take I-95 North to Exit 20 (Washington Avenue)
    - Make right at light (Columbus Boulevard) (Staples is on the right side)
    - Stay on Columbus to fourthh light which is Snyder Avenue and make right (Bank of America is on corner)
    - Go to second stop sign (Swanson Street) and make left (Boston Market on corner)
    - Take Swanson Street south 3 blocks to Ritner Street
    - New Alhambra is on the corner of Ritner and Swanson

    Directions via I-76 east (Schuykill Expressway)
    - Take last exit (before Walt Whitman Bridge) exit to Packer Avenue
    - At light make left (Holiday Inn across the street)
    - Take Packer Avenue to end and at light (Front Street) make left
    - Go to second light (Oregon Avenue) and make right
    - Go under I-95 underpass and make first left (Swanson Street)
    - Follow Swanson Street 3 blocks to Ritner Street
    - Make left at Ritner Street
    - New Alhambra is on the corner

    For those of you who haven't been to the Arena...

    Given that there may be new fans coming down to the Arena (especially on September 20 given the Japanese talent), here's some Arena hints:

    Parking: The ECW Arena has a fenced-in parking lot behind the facility. You can park there free of charge. Depending on the anticipated ccrowd the other parking lot across Ritner Street may also be opened as well. Both lots are secured. There is other street parking in front of the Arena and the Forman Mills discount store.

    Food: The Arena has a concession stand open during the shows with basic food and drink items, including meatball or pulled pork sandwiches, pretzels, soda, water, beer, and muffins. Other restaurants within a short walk for pre-show and post-show meals include the Oregon Diner, Tony Luke's cheesesteak stand (and the Tony Luke's Beef and Beer sports bar across the street) within two blocks, as well as McDonald's, KFC, and Dunkin Donuts located about 5 blocks away from the Arena on Oregon Avenue.

    Slightly farther away on 330 West Oregon Avenue is the Empire Buffet with many Chinese, seafood (and some American) items [my personal favorite for pre-ECW Arena dinner]. There are neighborhood bars, including Nickel's Tavern (a favorite for some wrestling fans), inbetween the Empire Buffet and the Arena.

    2 blocks NORTH of the Arena on Snyder Avenue are several restaurants, including John's Roast Pork (reported as the best pork sandwich in Philadelphia), a Boston Market, and City Pizza.

    Until next time....

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