 During this time, Slater started a gimmick as a desperate father with several children to support, including the catchphrase "I got kids", this would slowly transition Slater to a fan favorite for the first time since 2010.He eventually signed with "SmackDown" and found an unlikely ally in Rhyno, with the two emerging victorious in the finals of a tag team tournament at Backlash, defeating The Usos and becoming the inaugural SmackDown Tag Team Champions.On October 9 at No Mercy, Slater and Rhyno successfully defended the titles against The Usos.