I was gonna hit an Air Bourne, but then I got high…
Former WWE Tag Team Champion Evan Bourne apparently flies a little too high. Yup, for the second time in the past three months, the exciting competitor from St. Louis has been suspended for violation of WWE’s Talent Wellness Program. Apparently for the use of synthetic marijuana, this suspension gives Bourne one last chance; another strike, and he’s out.
This information comes as a shock to most wrestling fans, as Bourne’s permanent record with the WWE had been squeaky clean until this past November. Although he is at the ripe old age of 28, he doesn’t look a day out of high school and had been viewed as a “good little Evan Bourne” since his debut on ECW on Sci-Fi in 2008. Fans took a liking to his unique fast-paced offense and sportsmanship in the ring, but his career began to flounder until August, 2011—Bourne teamed up with Kofi Kingston to form “Air Boom”. Things were looking up—maybe a little too high up. See what I did there?
Within a week of their formation, Air Boom won the WWE Tag Team Championships. The high-flying combination of Bourne and Kingston surely put a spark into the tag team division, and the two began defending their championships in commendable matches week in and week out. The two had three consecutive title defenses on pay-per-view, retaining the gold in each. In a little over two months, it started to feel like we were witnessing an elite tag team being formed right before our eyes. Unfortunately, Bourne’s eyes were bloodshot. (I’m here all night.)
On November 1st, 2011, Bourne was given his first suspension for smoking that synthetic wacky tobacky. Not only was it incredibly ironic when the non-Rasta color donning, non-dread lock sporting member of Air Boom was suspended for getting high, but it was a complete bummer to me. Being from St. Louis, Bourne was somebody I constantly rooted for, constantly pulling for him to get a push up the card. When I read the news that he was on a 30-day sabbatical, it disappointed me to say the least. But everybody messes up, I thought. “Maybe the big kids in school pressured him to do it,” my inner parent reassured me. Not only did I along with other fans give Bourne a second chance, but so did the WWE.
You see, instead of stripping him of his title like they would normally do to a suspended champion, the WWE simply waited until he was “un-grounded”. Upon his return, he and Kingston continued their title reign where they left off. The dynamic duo began a feud with Epico and Primo, and successfully defended their gold at TLC to cap off the year. Before we knew it, they were right back at the top of the tag team division. It seemed like that small screw up on Bourne’s part would just be a tiny blemish on his career. But soon after, that all went up in smoke.
I didn’t hear the news until I was informed on this past broadcast of Raw SuperShow. The day before, Epico and Primo defeated Air Boom for the Tag Team titles at an untelevised WWE event. Bourne and Kingston proceeded to lose in their rematch the following night, live on the USA Network. The next day, WWE.com announced that Evan Bourne had been suspended for the second time. Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice, and you go a notch down in my book.
If I was disappointed to hear of his first violation, I was downright pissed to hear of his second one. Gone was my false feeling that Bourne had messed up; this showed immaturity. I fully expected Bourne to buckle down and ditch the hashish, but apparently getting high as a kite is more important to him than getting higher up the card. It’s going to be a bummer not being able to see him fly around the ring for 60 days, no doubt about it. Regardless, he needs to learn his lesson. Drop the drugs if you want to go anywhere besides the mid-card.
If that lesson goes unlearned and Bourne once again messes up, he’ll strike out. Not only that, but he’ll strike out looking. Looking at his career, filled with potential and promise, hitting the catchers met with a smack, closing the glove on his chance at succeeding in the big leagues. Oh, and the pitch would be low in the zone. If it was high, he’d crack it out of the park.
Hmm… Like all the “high” irony LOL, laughed a lot at them.
Bourne looks like he’ll be pulling a Matt Hardy in not wanting his job anymore. I think he’s honestly trying to get fired at this point.
Good read though. I had suspicions when they lost their titles at a house show. I wonder what’s next for Kofi. If he teams with Mason Ryan, than nothing but the worst.
Thanks for the read! And good god, a team of Mason Ryan and Kofi Kingston would be horrific.
It would be very sad to see him strike out. I’m not sure if he’s trying to get out or not. It’s a bit stupid to do it this way if he is. He should just call it a day and quit if that’s the case. He truly is one of the brightest stars on the roster and one if the best actual wrestlers. I truly hope that this leads to a change and he comes back and gets back in track. Would hate to see all of that amazing talent just go up in flames.
I understand the indy love that the former Matt Sydal gets but still the guy is being an idiot and I’m not going to sugar coat it just because I enjoy his work in the ring.