Matt Sydal Bio
Matthew Joseph Korklan, better known by the ring name Matt Sydal, is an American professional wrestler born on March 19, 1983 in St. Louis, Missouri. Standing 175 centimeters tall and weighing 83 kilograms, he is widely recognized for his high-flying, technical style that blends lucha libre with puroresu traditions. Sydal currently performs in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and previously gained mainstream recognition under the ring name Evan Bourne during a six-year run with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) from 2008 to 2014.
Across more than two decades in the ring, Sydal has captured championships in several major promotions around the world, including titles in Ring of Honor, Impact Wrestling, New Japan Pro-Wrestling, and Dragon Gate. He is also a former one-time WWE Tag Team Champion, a former Impact Grand Champion and Impact X Division Champion, a former Ring of Honor World Tag Team Champion, and a two-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.
Early Life and Background
Matthew Joseph Korklan was raised in the St. Louis area by parents who worked as school teachers. He has a younger brother named Mike, who also became a professional wrestler, giving the Korklan family a clear connection to the sport. Sydal attended Parkway West High School near St. Louis, where he competed on the school wrestling team and also trained in Taekwondo during his younger years.
While still a senior in high school, Korklan began training with the St. Louis-based Gateway Championship Wrestling promotion. After three months of preparation, he debuted for the promotion in October 2000, becoming the first wrestler under the age of 18 to receive a professional wrestling license in Missouri. He had previously gained experience in the backyard wrestling promotion Saint Peters Wrestling Organization under the name Lance Sydal.
Path to Professional Wrestling
In 2001, Korklan enrolled at the University of Missouri to study marketing, unsure whether wrestling could provide a full-time living. He continued training and competing while balancing classes, attending college three days a week and wrestling on mid-week shows and weekends. He earned his bachelor’s degree in 2005 and balanced a marketing career with a growing wrestling schedule.
After graduating, Korklan worked as a sales and marketing vice president for a small mailbox company in St. Louis owned by his uncle. Around 2006, he resigned, using his vacation days to take his first international tour of the United Kingdom. He debuted in Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South in November 2003, combining two of his old ring names to create Matt Sydal, and quickly captured the IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Championship in January 2004. He also joined NWA Midwest, winning the X Division Championship, and in September 2005, won the Ted Petty Invitational tournament.
Matt Sydal Career
Early Career (2000–2007)
Sydal built his foundation on the independent circuit, training under Gateway Championship Wrestling in St. Louis and expanding into IWA Mid-South and NWA Midwest. His success in those promotions earned him opportunities in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and Ring of Honor, where he debuted in April 2004 alongside valet Daizee Haze. By 2006, he was competing in Japan with Dragon Gate, aligning with CIMA, Don Fuji, and Jack Evans in the New Blood Generation International stable.
On February 12, 2007, Sydal defeated Masato Yoshino to win the Dragon Gate Open the Brave Gate Championship, becoming the first gaijin to hold the title. He defended it against Yoshino and Austin Aries before dropping it to Genki Horiguchi in March 2007. He also competed in the short-lived MTV promotion Wrestling Society X before signing a developmental contract with WWE.
Ring of Honor Breakthrough (2004–2007)
Sydal debuted in Ring of Honor at Reborn: Stage One on April 23, 2004, defeating Delirious. He joined the Generation Next stable alongside Austin Aries, Roderick Strong, Jack Evans, and Daizee Haze, engaging in a lengthy feud with The Embassy that culminated in a Steel Cage Warfare match won by Generation Next.
After teaming with Christopher Daniels, Sydal won the ROH World Tag Team Championship at Dethroned. The duo defended the belts against CIMA and Shingo and former champions Aries and Strong before losing them to The Briscoe Brothers at the Fifth Year Festival: Chicago. Sydal returned to ROH in 2014, working through the Survival of the Fittest tournament and challenging Jay Lethal for the ROH World Television Championship at Final Battle 2014.
WWE Era (2007–2014)
Following the close of Wrestling Society X, Sydal signed a developmental contract with WWE and debuted in Ohio Valley Wrestling in October 2007, winning the OVW Heavyweight Championship. He was renamed Evan Bourne when he debuted on the ECW brand on June 3, 2008, quickly building momentum with high-flying victories over Shelton Benjamin, Matt Striker, Nunzio, and Chavo Guerrero Jr.
Bourne reached the main event of Cyber Sunday in October 2008, where fans chose him to face Matt Hardy for the ECW Championship. After recovering from a serious ankle injury, he continued climbing the roster and was traded to Raw in June 2009. On August 22, 2011, he and Kofi Kingston defeated David Otunga and Michael McGillicutty to win the WWE Tag Team Championship. The team, dubbed Air Boom, defended the titles successfully at Night of Champions, Hell in a Cell, Vengeance, and Tables, Ladders & Chairs before losing them to Primo and Epico in January 2012. WWE released Korklan from his contract on June 12, 2014.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling Era (2015–2016)
Sydal debuted for New Japan Pro-Wrestling at Destruction in Okayaka in September 2015, teaming with Hiroshi Tanahashi to defeat Bad Luck Fale and Tama Tonga. He was nominated by Kenny Omega as the first challenger for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship and, partnering with Ricochet, won the 2015 Super Jr. Tag Tournament.
On February 11, 2016, Sydal and Ricochet won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship at The New Beginning in Osaka, regained the title at Wrestling Dontaku 2016, and teamed with Satoshi Kojima to capture the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship in July 2016. His NJPW profile was later removed following a legal incident in Japan.
Impact Wrestling Era (2017–2019)
Sydal returned to Impact Wrestling in April 2017, defeating Trevor Lee in his first match back. He captured the Impact Grand Championship in November 2017 by defeating Ethan Carter III, then added the Impact X Division Championship in March 2018 by defeating Taiji Ishimori, becoming a dual champion.
He dropped the Grand Championship to Austin Aries and later lost the X Division Championship to Brian Cage at Slammiversary XVI. After forming a team with Ethan Page, Sydal left Impact when his contract expired on January 1, 2019.
AEW Era (2020–Present)
Sydal made a surprise appearance at All Elite Wrestling’s All Out pay-per-view as the Joker entrant in the Casino Battle Royale. He picked up his first AEW victory on October 6, 2020, defeating Michael Nakazawa on AEW Dark, and built a four-match winning streak before losing to Brian Cage in an FTW title match. AEW officially confirmed Sydal’s signing on November 17, 2020.
He returned to Ring of Honor, now a sister promotion under Tony Khan, reforming his tag team with Christopher Daniels in February 2023 and challenging Samoa Joe for the ROH World Television Championship later that year. He also made a one-off return to Evolve in late 2019 under the Evan Bourne ring name.
Style and Strengths
Matt Sydal is known for his dynamic technical cruiserweight hybrid style, blending lucha libre with puroresu traditions. He was named the Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s Best Flying Wrestler in 2008, a recognition that highlights his aerial skill and high-risk shooting star press finishing maneuver. His in-ring craft combines fast-paced striking, innovative counters, and a strong base of athletic ability.
Notable Events and Milestones
Sydal’s career highlights include becoming the first gaijin to hold the Dragon Gate Open the Brave Gate Championship, winning the 2015 Super Jr. Tag Tournament with Ricochet, and capturing the WWE Tag Team Championship as part of Air Boom. He also won the prestigious Ted Petty Invitational in 2005 and reached dual champion status in Impact Wrestling in 2018.
Matt Sydal Career Wins
Across more than two decades in professional wrestling, Matt Sydal has captured championships in WWE, Ring of Honor, Impact Wrestling, New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Dragon Gate, and several independent promotions. His win list reflects a journeyman career built on athleticism and adaptability across styles.
Major Promotion Highlights
Sydal is a one-time WWE Tag Team Champion with Kofi Kingston, a former ROH World Tag Team Champion with Christopher Daniels, and a former Impact Grand Champion and Impact X Division Champion. In Japan, he is a two-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion and a one-time NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion.
He is also the first gaijin to hold the Dragon Gate Open the Brave Gate Championship and the 2005 Ted Petty Invitational winner. His earlier independent titles include the IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Championship and the NWA Midwest X Division Championship.
Other Wins and Performances
Sydal captured the IPWA Heavyweight Championship in April 2019 and briefly held the PWF Lord Of The World Championship in October 2015. He also held the OVW Heavyweight Championship during his WWE developmental run and won the 2008 Slammy Award for Best Finishing Maneuver for his shooting star press.
Matt Sydal Family
Family Background and Wrestling Lineage
Matthew Joseph Korklan was born to parents who worked as school teachers, and his younger brother Mike also became a professional wrestler. The Korklan family’s involvement in the sport helped shape Sydal’s early training and entry into the business while he was still in high school.
Personal Life
Korklan was born Jewish and has spoken openly about studying Buddhism, naming Alan Watts and Ram Dass as spiritual influences. He resides in Clearwater, Florida. After leaving WWE, he spoke about his spiritual journey on Colt Cabana’s Art of Wrestling podcast and other programs, discussing meditation and personal growth.
2025 Season Performance
Matt Sydal continues to perform on the independent circuit and in selected appearances for AEW and its sister promotion Ring of Honor in 2025. His recent in-ring work has focused on veteran gatekeeper matches and tag team bouts alongside partners such as Christopher Daniels.
While he is no longer a central figure on weekly AEW television, Sydal remains an active competitor and is regularly booked for independent events across the United States. His career outlook suggests continued appearances on the indie scene, occasional AEW or ROH dark matches, and select international tours, drawing on his status as a respected veteran high-flyer.
Fans can expect Sydal to continue mentoring younger talent through his experience as a dual champion and multi-promotion veteran, while occasionally stepping back into major spotlight matches when called upon by AEW or partner promotions.
