Sui-Sydal Tendency: WWE Apparently Bourne To Become Korklan’s Kevorkian
by Adam Testa
Matt Korklan is a man known by many names and titles, but unfortunately for the young St. Louis native, world champion will likely never be one.

Fans of IWA-Mid South, Wrestling Society X, Ring of Honor and even old Total Nonstop Action Wrestling know Korklan as Matt Sydal, while modern mainstream wrestling fans recognize him as his World Wrestling Entertainment-issued identity Evan Bourne.

To WWE fans, Bourne is a high-flyer presented with the gift of being allowed to use the dangerous yet beautiful shooting star press as a finishing maneuver. He’s the guy with the flashy moves called upon to put on a spectacle before ultimately ending the match flat on his back with a referee executing a three count.

In short, Bourne’s career in WWE has amounted to little more than enhancement talent. In a past issue of WWE Magazine, however, he said he’s as happy as could be, as his dream has always been to perform in WWE, even if he wore a mask and constantly jobbed to the stars.

While Bourne may be satisfied with his current standing in the company, he has potential to do so much more. Despite his small stature and lacking skills on a microphone, the company has many opportunities to push Bourne to the next level.

Like many of his counterparts, Bourne has become a victim of corporately implemented limitations. The 26-year-old star has a set of moves and skills that far exceed what he’s showcased during his tenure on the now defunct WWECW and Monday Night Raw.

He’s completed several tours of Japan, sharing a ring with international superstars including CIMA, Masato Yoshino and Genki Horiguchi. During one tour, he won Dragon Gate’s lightweight title, the Open the Brave Gate Championship, from Yoshino. Bourne, competing under his Matt Sydal moniker at the time, became the first gaijin (non-Japanese star) to earn that honor.
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Money in the Bank Ladder Match
The opportunity to compete for a World Championship is so significant to the Superstars of WWE that every year eight of the most fearless and talented competitors risk it all for this very goal in a Money in the Bank Ladder Match.

First contested at WrestleMania 21 in 2005, this dangerous, but rewarding contest pits eight Superstars against one another in a battle to climb a ladder and snatch a briefcase hanging precariously above the ring. Inside the case is a contract giving the winner an opportunity to face a World Champion at a time of their choosing throughout a 12-month period.

This unique ability to “cash in” a championship opportunity at any moment has given Money in the Bank winners a serious advantage over their opponents on many occasions. Edge, the first-ever “Mr. Money in the Bank,” cashed in his contract at New Year’s Revolution 2006, defeating WWE Champion John Cena immediately after the 12 Rounds star had just successfully defended his title in an Elimination Chamber Match. At Extreme Rules in 2009, CM Punk elected to face Jeff Hardy moments after The Charismatic Enigma defeated Edge for the World Heavyweight Championship in a grueling Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match.

Every Superstar who has cashed in a Money in the Bank contract has gone on to win a World Championship, including CM Punk, who won the contest at WrestleMania in 2008 and 2009. This amazing percentage for victory has proven that the risks of this perilous match are certainly worth the reward.

With his victory over Carlito on the Feb. 22 edition of Raw, new Raw Superstar Christian became the first man to qualify for this year’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match.

On the Feb. 26 edition of SmackDown, Dolph Ziggler, Kane and Shelton Benjamin all qualified to join Christian on The Grandest Stage of Them All.

On the Mar. 1 edition of Raw, Jack Swagger and MVP qualified for the bout.

Matt Hardy will return to WrestleMania’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match for the third time, thanks to his qualification on the Mar. 5 edition of SmackDown.

Earning the final coveted spot, Evan Bourne defeated William Regal on the Mar. 8 edition of Raw, rounding out the list of this year’s Money in the Bank participants.

Which of these eight men will retrieve the briefcase and hold the possibly career changing contract in their hands? Tune in to WrestleMania on Sunday, Mar. 28 to see who grabs the coveted briefcase.

- Backstage Evan Bourne is talking to Criss Angel; Bourne has a Money in the Bank qualifier later against William Regal. Skip Sheffield from NXT interrupts, he says he is a big fan of Criss, Skip’s mentor, Regal arrives, he tells Bourne he’ll see him in the ring later. Criss then gets Regal to write down a number on a piece of paper and hold it against his chest so that Criss can’t see it, Criss then correctly guesses the number using body language.

Money in the Bank Qualifying Match
Evan Bourne vs. William Regal w/ Skip Sheffield
- This match will determine who will be the final competitor in this years Money in the Bank match. Christian is on commentary for this match, he is accompanied by Heath Slater. Evan Bourne wins the relatively short match after a Shooting Star Press, he’s headed to WrestleMania!
WINNER: Evan Bourne.

RELATED LINKS:
- Monday Night Raw Digitals » View Here
- Monday Night Raw Captures » View Here

Match Number Two: William Regal versus Evan Bourne

They lock up and Bourne with a front face lock but Regal with an arm bar. Bourne tries to reverse it but Regal holds on and tries for a head scissors take down but Regal sends Bourne to the mat instead and holds on to the arm bar. Bourne uses the ropes to escape and he hits a monkey flip and head scissors take down. Bourne with a drop kick and side head lock. Regal tries to get out o the hold and he hits a forearm on Bourne to get out of the hold. Regal with a back elbow and gutwrench suplex for a near fall. Regal with a reverse chin lock but Bourne with an arm bar. Regal with a forearm and Bourne is down. Regal with European uppercuts and then he puts Bourne back in a reverse chin lock. Regal tries for the Cobra Stretch but Bourne fights it off. Regal maintains the chin lock and Bourne struggles to stay conscious. Bourne gets to his feet and he backs Regal into the turnbuckles but Bourne with a kick to the back. Regal with an Exploder suplex on Bourne and he misses the running knee. Bourne with a leaping knee and he goes up top and hits the Shooting Star Press for the three count.
Winner: Evan Bourne

- WWE Superstars Digitals » here
- WWE Superstars Captures » here

Thursday, March 25 at 6 p.m. MST: Carlito, Cryme Tyme, Mike Knox, Hornswoggle, Kofi Kingston, Kane, Mark Henry, Kane, MVP, Jack Swagger, Chavo Guerrero, The Great Khali, Goldust, Evan Bourne, Matt Hardy, Gail Kim, Beth Phoenix, Eve and more!

Evan will be featured on this weeks WWE Superstars. EDIT: Appears that this was actualy a dark match. Or it has been replaced with Kane vs Mike Know, either way…this means no Evan this week guys!

Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne def. Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase via Pinfall
-Fast paced match, lots of good spots.
After the match, DiBiase did his finisher on Rhodes, and left him laying.