The management of the former ECW Arena has released the following statement in regards to the Extreme Rising event scheduled for this coming Saturday, March 1st, at the facility in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:

"Due to circumstances beyond our control, we have notified Extreme Rising Wrestling that the Arena is unable to host this coming Saturday, March 1st event. Unfortunately, the contractor hired, and the City of Philadelphia, were unable to schedule a timely, necessary Code Inspection for this week, so that the Arena could officially be certified to begin operations. This issue prevents us from legally opening the facility to the public at this time. It is our priority to make sure the audience sees our events in a safe and legally approved environment.

Arena management has met with Extreme Rising to help facilitate rescheduling, and assist in a smooth transition for fans and staff. The rescheduled date for this weekend’s event is now Friday, April 25th at the 2300 Arena. More details to come at www.extremerising.com

We guarantee that all issues, inspections, and certificates will be rectified far in advance of our next scheduled Arena events, and therefore the April 25th & 26th Extreme Rising and April 27th MaskedMania events will not be affected in anyway whatsoever by the above mentioned delay.

We encourage fans to support the Arena and Extreme Rising by exchanging your tickets for the rescheduled date of the event. Contact Extreme Rising by email exchange@extremerising.com --or by phone at 215-385-5117.

If you are unable to exchange your tickets for the new date, refunds are available at your point of purchase.

For those who have purchased a ticket for the event this week and exchange them, the Arena is offering a FREE BBQ cookout with wrestlers of Extreme Rising and includes free hot dogs, hamburgers, and sodas before the Friday, April 25th Extreme Rising event at the Arena. This offer is ONLY valid for those who purchased AND EXCHANGE their tickets for the new event date. You have 14 days to exchange your tickets for 3/1 to 4/25 to receive this bonus.

We are sorry for any inconvenience this construction delay may have caused to the fans, the wrestlers, and the staff of Extreme Rising. We can assure you that 2300 Arena will be a great venue for all of your indoor sports and music events.

- Roger Artigiani"

The following video was also provided to PWInsider.com:

Extreme Rising promoter Steve O'Neill is said to have already contacted talent to inform them of the cancellation and that they will still be paid for the original date. O'Neill, possibly along with anyone else who was booked for the show, will also be at the former ECW Arena this weekend to personally speak with any fans who show up that are unaware of the cancellation so that he can personally explain the situation to them.