Heath Slater and Rhyno vs. Usos/Hype Bros: Best Booking Options for WWE Backlash

The all-consuming narrative that will be the heart of Sunday's WWE Backlash 2016 pay-per-view can only end one way: with Heath Slater and Rhyno's odd-couple partnership leading to championship glory.

Slater's desperate attempts to land a roster spot and feed his many kids have become the central storyline of the SmackDown Tag Team Championships tournament. To make the most of its climax, WWE must keep his Cinderella run rolling.

As Tuesday's SmackDown went off the air, it looked like Slater and Rhyno would face American Alpha in the tournament finals at Backlash, but things got more complicated soon after.

The Usos lost to Jason Jordan and Chad Gable of American Alpha in the semifinals, but their post-match viciousness offered them another opportunity at the gold. After The Usos' attack left Gable injured, SmackDown officials booked a match to decide who would take on Slater and Rhyno at Backlash.

The Hype Bros, who also lost in the semifinals, will battle Jimmy and Jey Uso at the PPV. The winner will enter the finals in American Alpha's place.

That situation opens the door for a number of narrative opportunities. Revenge, the power of embracing one's dark side and the appeal of the underdog are all themes WWE should explore as the tag tourney concludes at Backlash. 

The Usos Make the Most of Their 2nd Chance

The effects of The Usos' heel turn on Tuesday were immediate. The brothers looked rejuvenated as they throttled Gable and then angrily explained their actions.

The Usos' act needed a change. WWE wisely addressed that.

And now, as fed-up, callous warriors, The Usos look ready to be a vital part of the SmackDown tag team division.

To harness their character shift, The Usos have to win against The Hype Bros. If they fail in their first bout as villains, their momentum will suffer. We instead need to see Jimmy and Jey whip their foes with no mercy.

We're supposed to see a new version of The Usos. What's the point of adopting heel tactics if it doesn't get them anywhere?

Credit: WWE.com

Besides, The Usos vs. Slater and Rhyno creates the better dynamic. As Vaughn Johnson of Philly.com wrote, "The fans will take great pleasure in booing The Usos Sunday night and will definitely cheer the underdogs in Slater and Rhyno."

The Hype Bros would be out of place in the finals as babyfaces getting minimal reactions against the belles of the ball.

Vengeance at Backlash

In the finals, The Usos' sadistic attack on Gable should see them fall short of the tag titles.

It's clear that a feud between American Alpha and The Usos is on the way. Gable and Jordan won't just let the brothers steal their chance at gold without consequence.

WWE should advance that story at Backlash with a run-in.

Just when it looks like The Usos are close to victory, Jordan should charge down to the ring in search of revenge. The babyface could nail Jimmy with a cheap shot or yank Jey off the top rope right before he hits a diving splash.

That's the easiest and most obvious way to further this feud and also give American Alpha some airtime, even without wrestling.

The tournament finals could provide Backlash with some chaos, a brawl outside the ring and increased bad blood between two sets of rivals while also allowing Slater's dreams to come true.  

Keep the Spotlight on Slater

WWE may not have planned for Slater to make it this far, but the reaction to The One Man Rock Band's story has to lead to a win on Sunday.

As ESPN.com's Brian Campbell tweeted, SmackDown has done well to understand how hot Slater is:

Seeing the underdog fall short would be a gut punch to the audience at this point. All the focus on his kids and Renee Young's visit to his single-wide trailer would all just lead to disappointment. 

It's a more thrilling story if Slater does what one would have thought impossible weeks ago and becomes tag team champ.

He has connected with the audience as a man chasing a job, an endearing protagonist with his back to the wall. He's become one of the most consistently entertaining parts of SmackDown in recent weeks. The only move that makes sense is to capitalize on that.

One of The Usos should incapacitate him outside the ring, leaving Slater to simply survive for the rest of the bout. With a little dumb luck and Jordan's help, Slater can then score the biggest win of his career.

That outcome will resonate most with fans. WWE doesn't have much of a choice now; it's Slater or bust.