Evan Bourne

Matthew Joseph Korklan, born March 19, 1983 in St. Louis, is an American professional wrestler known to WWE fans as Evan Bourne and to the broader wrestling world as Matt Sydal. He currently performs for All Elite Wrestling as part of the SkyFlight stable, bringing a high-flying style that has defined his career across multiple continents. With championship gold in WWE, Impact Wrestling, Ring of Honor, and New Japan Pro-Wrestling, his resume is a map of modern independent and televised wrestling.

What sets Sydal apart is his aerial arsenal. His Shooting Star Press, called the Air Bourne in WWE, was ranked the number one most devastating move in company history. He won the Wrestling Observer Newsletter's Best Flying Wrestler award in 2008, a recognition of his ability to make gravity-defying offense look effortless. Fans connect with his underdog energy and his willingness to adapt after a serious knee injury in 2011, which forced him to evolve his style without abandoning the moves that made him famous.

Outside the ring, Sydal is a licensed pilot, a vegan, and a devout Christian who often shares motivational content on social media. He runs a wrestling school called The Syndicate and co-wrote a comic book series with Matt Riddle. His journey from the St. Louis indy scene to world championship gold in Japan and America is a story of resilience, technical growth, and the enduring appeal of a wrestler who dares to fly.[edit]

Korklan grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, where he fell in love with professional wrestling as a kid. He started training at age 17, learning the basics at local schools before hitting the independent circuit. His early years were spent in promotions like NWA Midwest and IWA-Mid South, where he developed the high-risk style that would become his trademark. A crucial turning point came when he moved to Japan to compete for Dragon Gate. There, he refined his craft against some of the best junior heavyweights in the world, winning the Open the Brave Gate Championship in 2007. That international experience caught the attention of WWE scouts, leading to a developmental contract in 2008.[edit]

Bourne debuted on WWE's ECW brand in 2008, immediately impressing with his aerial moves. He became a regular on Raw and SmackDown, but his biggest success came in 2011 when he teamed with Kofi Kingston as Air Boom. They won the WWE Tag Team Championship, holding the titles for over two months. After leaving WWE in 2014, Sydal rebuilt his career on the independent scene. He joined Impact Wrestling in 2016 and won the X Division Championship and the Impact Grand Championship. In Ring of Honor, he teamed with Ricochet to win the ROH World Tag Team Championship. His time in New Japan Pro-Wrestling was particularly fruitful, capturing the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship twice and the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship once. In 2020, he signed with All Elite Wrestling, where he formed the SkyFlight stable and continues to compete on AEW Rampage and Dark.[edit]

Sydal's public persona centers on his aerial offense and martial arts-inspired look. In WWE, he was marketed as a high-flying babyface with an underdog spirit. After his 2011 knee injury, he rebuilt his image as a resilient veteran who could still deliver spectacular moves. In AEW, he projects a calm, spiritual demeanor, often posting about yoga and meditation on social media. His fans appreciate his technical skill and his willingness to work with younger talent. He is seen as a positive influence in the wrestling community, known for his motivational posts and clean living.[edit]

Evan Bourne stands as a definitive figure in the world of professional wrestling, recognized globally for an aerial style that redefined high-flying athleticism. As of August 2026, iFANN has evaluated his standing and determined that he is currently unranked in the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. While his name does not appear on the current published charts, his legacy remains anchored in specific moments that resonated far beyond the ring. The narrative of his career is punctuated by his release from WWE in June 2014, which marked the end of the 'Evan Bourne' era, and his subsequent return to All Elite Wrestling in June 2026 after a two-year absence due to foot surgery. His primary legendary status stems from his in-ring performance style and achievements rather than viral folklore. He is widely recognized as a one-time WWE Tag Team Champion, having held the title with Kofi Kingston, and won a Slammy Award for 'Best Finishing Maneuver' during his rookie year. The 'legend' of Evan Bourne is intrinsically tied to his nickname and persona: 'Bourne to Fly,' which references his high-flying acrobatics. Fans generally refer to him by his ring names, Evan Bourne during his WWE tenure and Matt Sydal during his independent and AEW career, but no specific collective noun is documented in the text. There are also two distinct suspension events documented in the news-tagged results, which serve as cautionary tales within his biography, including a 60-day suspension under the WWE Talent Wellness Program in June 2018 and another reported in April 2026.[edit]

Matthew Joseph Korklan, born March 19, 1983 in St. Louis, brings a unique blend of athletic prowess and personal discipline to every match. He is a licensed pilot who often flies himself to independent shows, bypassing commercial travel to reach venues faster. A devout Christian, Sydal frequently discusses his faith in interviews, grounding his public life in spiritual practice. His WWE name, Evan Bourne, was a tribute to his grandmother's maiden name, preserving family history within his ring identity. Following a vegan lifestyle, he actively promotes plant-based nutrition to fans and peers alike. In a creative departure from wrestling, he co-wrote a comic book series called The Adventures of Mr. 450 with fellow wrestler Matt Riddle. His fanbase is sometimes called Sydalites, though the name remains unofficial. Beyond the trivia, his career mythology includes the dramatic moment of his 2014 departure from WWE alongside Brodus Clay and Teddy Long, which effectively retired the 'Evan Bourne' character until its brief revival in EVOLVE in 2019. Another defining chapter occurred in June 2026 when he returned to All Elite Wrestling after a two-year hiatus caused by foot surgery, signaling a major comeback in his modern career.[edit]

Korklan has a brother named Josh Korklan, who also wrestles on the independent circuit. He is the uncle of professional wrestler Trey Miguel, a former Impact X Division Champion. He keeps his personal life private and has no known children. He currently lives in St. Louis, where he runs his wrestling school The Syndicate.[edit]

Kofi Kingston was his long-time tag team partner as Air Boom in WWE. Ricochet teamed with him to win the ROH World Tag Team Championship. His nephew Trey Miguel is a fellow professional wrestler. Kenny Omega has been a frequent opponent and collaborator in AEW.[edit]

Matt Sydal has kept his romantic life largely out of the public eye. He was previously engaged to a woman named Samantha, but the relationship ended before his WWE departure in 2014. No children were reported from that relationship. As of 2026, Sydal is reportedly single with no known current partner. He has not been linked to any high-profile relationships in the wrestling world or beyond.[edit]

iFANN currently estimates Matt Sydal's net worth at $3 Million as of 2026. His primary income stream flows from his contract with All Elite Wrestling, where mid-card talent typically commands between $100,000 and $250,000 annually. During his peak years in WWE from 2009 to 2014, he likely earned a base salary ranging from $150,000 to $300,000 per year, supplemented by bonuses from pay-per-view appearances, live events, and merchandise sales. Royalties generated from his Air Boom and Evan Bourne T-shirts and action figures further bolstered his earnings during that era. Additional revenue streams include his wrestling school, The Syndicate, and various online training courses he offers to aspiring athletes. Appearances on the independent circuit and direct merchandise sales at shows provide consistent supplementary income. His net worth has grown steadily since leaving WWE, driven by continued activity in major promotions like Impact, New Japan Pro-Wrestling, and AEW.[edit]

Sydal won the Wrestling Observer Newsletter's Best Flying Wrestler award in 2008, a recognition voted by fans and industry insiders for the most spectacular aerial performer in professional wrestling.[edit]