Former WWE and NJPW wrestler Matt Sydal — a.k.a. Evan Bourne — was arrested at a Japanese airport back in September, where he was later charged and convicted of smuggling synthetic marijuana into the country. On Friday, more details emerged on exactly how Sydal ended up in prison in the first place.
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According to PWInsider, Japanese officials were tipped off about Sydal bringing drugs into the country before Sydal's latest visit. Sydal had been working with New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), and he had made the trip from the U.S. to Japan several times in the past.
From PWInsider:
It was his thirtieth trip to Japan, and they didn't think it was the first time he brought something in...The reason he got caught this time though, this is where things get really mysterious and tricky, Japanese customs in Osaka were informed by somebody that Matthew Joseph Cochran is bringing in certain things.
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Sydal's real last name is actually Korklan, but it appears that this is how Japanese officials were able to nab Sydal at an airport back in September. Sydal had two past Wellness Policy violations with WWE for synthetic marijuana, and it was no secret that he had been a user in the past. Any number of people could have tipped off the Japanese authorities that he could be bringing in an illicit substance into the country.
It appears that Sydal is going to be released on three years probation next week, and he will then return to the United States.
