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Heath and Rhino

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Heath and Rhino
Heath (left) and Rhino (right)
Tag team
MembersHeath Slater/Heath
Rhyno/Rhino
Name(s)Heath Slater and Rhyno
Heath and Rhino/Beauty and the Manbeast
Billed heightsHeath: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Rhino: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Combined
billed weight		422 lb (191 kg)
DebutAugust 23, 2016
DisbandedOctober 27, 2023
Years active2016–2019
2020–2023

HeathandRhinowere an Americanprofessional wrestlingtag team.

As a team, they are best known for their time inWWE,where they originally formed and became the inauguralWWE SmackDown Tag Team ChampionsasHeath Slater and Rhynoand for their time inImpact Wrestling,where they are former one-timeImpact World Tag Team Champions.[1]The team also works on theindependent circuitwhere they have won various tag team titles. In October 2023, the team was effectively disbanded after Heath was departed from Impact Wrestling.

History[edit]

WWE (2016–2019)[edit]

After the2016 Draft,WWE started a storyline where Heath Slater was a free agent since he wasn't assigned to Raw nor SmackDown. As part of the storyline, on the August 9 episode ofSmackDown Live,the two wrestled each other with the stipulation that if Slater won, he would be signed to theSmackDownroster; however, Rhyno defeated Slater. On the August 23 episode ofSmackDown,Slater was offered a spot in the tournament for the newly instatedSmackDown Tag Team Championshipif he found a partner. After struggling to find a partner, Rhyno approached Slater and agreed to be his partner for the tournament.[2]Rhyno and Slater defeatedThe Headbangersin the first round and TheHype Brosin the semi-finals to advance to the finals atBacklash,[3]where they defeatedThe Usosto become the inaugural champions, while also granting Slater a contract.[4][5]

Heath Slater and Rhyno after defeating TheVaudevillainsonSmackdown Live

On the September 13 episode ofSmackDown Live,Rhyno and Slater defeatedThe Ascensionto successfully retain the titles in their first defense following Slater's official live contract signing.[6]AtNo Mercy,Rhyno and Slater retained the titles against The Usos. AtSurvivor Series,Rhyno and Slater were the team captains for Team SmackDown in the10–on–10 Survivor Series Tag Team Elimination match,where they were defeated by Team Raw.[7]AtTLCon December 4, Rhyno and Slater's tag team championship reign came to an end at 84 days after they were defeated byThe Wyatt Family(Bray WyattandRandy Orton).[8]Two days later onSmackDown Live,Rhyno and Slater received their rematch, but failed to regain the titles. AtElimination Chamberon February 12, 2017, the duo were the first entrants into the tag team turmoil match for the titles, eliminating Breezango and TheVaudevillainsbefore being eliminated by The Usos.[9]

On April 10, both Rhyno and Slater were traded to Raw brand as part of theSuperstar Shake-up.On the June 5 episode ofRaw,Rhyno and Slater failed to win theRaw Tag Team ChampionshipagainstCesaro and Sheamus.[10]On the October 30 episode ofRaw,Rhyno and Slater defeatedThe Clubin anAll Hallow's Eve Trick or Street Fight.[11]At theRoyal Rumbleon January 28, 2018, Rhyno participated in the Royal Rumble match as the third entrant, this was Rhyno's first appearance in14 yearsat the namesake pay-per-view match but was eliminated byBaron Corbin.

On the December 3 episode ofRaw,General Manager Baron Corbin created a match between Rhyno and Slater, where the loser would be fired from Raw. Rhyno lost the match and was subsequently forced to leave the brand.[12]However, after Corbin was removed from power, he returned to Raw to aid Slater against an attack fromJinder Mahalon the December 24 episode ofRaw.[13]The following week onRaw,Rhyno and Slater faced Mahal andThe Singh Brothersin a losing effort.[14]On July 17, their team ended after Rhyno left WWE.[15][16]

Impact Wrestling (2020–2023)[edit]

After Rhyno left WWE, he signed withImpact Wrestlingand changed the spelling of his name to Rhino (as WWE owns the trademark with the "y" spelling). Slater was released from WWE in April 2020 due to budget cuts as a result of theCOVID-19 pandemic.He then made his debut in Impact on July 18 atSlammiversary,now using the shortened name Heath. The duo then began a storyline where Heath did not have a contract with Impact and tried to obtain one, similar to the storyline in WWE that resulted in the two becoming a team in the first place. Their first match as a team with the promotion took place atVictory Road,where Heath and Rhino defeatedReno Scum(Adam Thornstowe and Luster the Legend).[17]

On October 24 atBound for Glory,both Heath and Rhino took part in anIntergenderCall Your Shot Gauntlet match,where the winner could choose any championship match of their choice; however, if either Heath or Rhino won, Heath would earn a full-time contract with Impact Wrestling, but if they both lost, he would be fired. Rhino would go on to win, thus winning Heath an Impact contract; however, Heath suffered an injury during the match.[18]

In March 2021, while Heath was injured, Rhino turnedheeland joinedViolent By Design(Eric Young,Deaner,andJoe Doering).[19][20]In September, Rhino would be kicked out of VBD.[21][22]On the September 30 episode ofImpact,Heath would make his return after nearly a year, saving Rhino from a potential attack by VBD, and Heath then looked to give Rhino a hug afterwards, but Rhino would walk out of the ring.[23][24][25]In the following weeks, Rhino was not sure which side to take,[26][27]and Heath asks Impact EVPScott D'Amoreto make a match pitting him and anyone else against Violent By Design atBound for Glory,which was accepted.[28][29][30]

On October 23, 2021, atBound for Glory,Rhino appeared as Heath's tag team partner, where they defeated VBD, thus turning Rhino into afaceagain.[31][32]

On October 8, 2022, during theImpact!taping, Heath and Rhino defeatedThe Kingdomto become to the newImpact World Tag Team Champions.[33][34]This aired via tape delay on October 20.

On October 27, 2023, Heath departed from Impact Wrestling, effectively disbanding the team.[35]

Independent circuit (2020–present)[edit]

On October 10, 2020 at Xtreme Intense Championship Wrestling (XICW), Heath and Rhino defeated DBA and Jaimy Coxxx to become XICW Tag Team Champions.[36]On February 17, 2022 at the 'St. Valentine's Day Mayhem' event for Insane Wrestling Revolution (IWR), the duo defeated Aaron Orion & Jack Price to become the inaugural IWR World Tag Team Champions.[37]

Championships and accomplishments[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^"Heath Slater Crashes Slammiversary, Reunites With Rhino & Gets Kicked Out Of The Building".
  2. ^"WWE Smackdown Results – 8/23/16 (Live from Uncasville, two new championships to be introduced)".WrestleView. August 23, 2016.RetrievedAugust 24,2016.
  3. ^Middleton, Marc (2016-08-31)."News for Tonight's WWE NXT, Heath Slater Thanks Rhyno After Their Win, Birthdays".Lords of Pain.Archived fromthe originalon September 1, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 1,2016.
  4. ^"Will The Usos end the fairy tale for 'Beauty and The Man Beast'?".
  5. ^"WWE Smackdown Results: Winners, Analysis, Reaction and Highlights From September 27".www.forbes.com.
  6. ^"WWE Smackdown Live Results 9/13/16".Yahoo! Sports.
  7. ^Parks, Greg."10/25 WWE Smackdown LIVE – Parks's Ongoing, Real-Time Report".Pro Wrestling Torch.RetrievedOctober 25,2016.
  8. ^Wortman, James."Randy Orton & Bray Wyatt def. SmackDown Tag Team Champions Heath Slater & Rhyno".WWE.RetrievedDecember 4,2016.
  9. ^Melok, Bobby."SmackDown Tag Team Champions American Alpha win Tag Team Turmoil".WWE.RetrievedFebruary 12,2017.
  10. ^Benigno, Anthony (June 5, 2017)."Raw Tag Team Champions Cesaro & Sheamus def. Heath Slater & Rhyno".WWE.RetrievedDecember 30,2018.
  11. ^Bengino, Anthony (October 30, 2017)."Heath Slater & Rhyno def. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson in an All Hallow's Eve Trick or Street Fight".WWE.RetrievedDecember 30,2018.
  12. ^Wortman, James (December 3, 2018)."Rhyno fired from Monday Night Raw".WWE.RetrievedDecember 30,2018.
  13. ^Martin, Adam (December 24, 2018)."WWE RAW Results – 12/24/18 (Rollins vs. Corbin, Ronda Rousey defends her title)".WrestleView.RetrievedDecember 30,2018.
  14. ^Benigno, Anthony (December 31, 2018)."Jinder Mahal & The Singh Brothers def. Heath Slater & Rhyno (3-on-2 Handicap Match)".WWE.RetrievedJanuary 1,2019.
  15. ^Johnson, Mike."RHYNO EXPLAINS WHY HE'S LEAVING WWE".PWInsider.RetrievedMay 7,2019.
  16. ^Ross Sapp, Sean."Rhyno Says WWE Offered Him Double His Downside Guarantee, Which He Rejected".Fightful.RetrievedMay 7,2019.
  17. ^"Impact Wrestling Victory Road Results: Eric Young Defends Impact World Title Against Eddie Edwards".3 October 2020.
  18. ^"OFFICIAL: Call Your Shot Gauntlet Returns at Bound For Glory".Impact Wrestling. October 12, 2020.RetrievedOctober 14,2020.
  19. ^Guzzo, Gisberto (March 14, 2021)."Moose Taking Time Off To Think About The Future, Rhino Joins Violent By Design".Fightful.RetrievedMarch 14,2021.
  20. ^Powell, Jason (March 13, 2021)."3/13 Impact Wrestling Sacrifice results: Powell's review of Rich Swann vs. Moose in a Impact World Championship and TNA Title unification match, The Good Brothers vs. Juice Robinson and David Finlay for the Impact Tag Titles, Deonna Purrazzo vs. ODB for the Knockouts Title, TJP vs. Ace Austin for the X Division Title".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.RetrievedMarch 13,2021.
  21. ^Impact Wrestling Staff (September 16, 2021)."IMPACT! on AXS TV Results: September 16, 2021".Impact Wrestling.RetrievedSeptember 17,2021.
  22. ^Guzzo, Gisberto (September 16, 2021)."Rhino Evicted From Violent By Design On 9/16 Episode Of IMPACT Wrestling".Fightful.RetrievedSeptember 17,2021.
  23. ^Impact Wrestling Staff (September 30, 2021)."IMPACT! on AXS TV Results: September 30, 2021".Impact Wrestling.Archivedfrom the original on October 14, 2021.RetrievedOctober 1,2021.
  24. ^Defelice, Robert (September 30, 2021)."Heath Returns On 9/30/21 IMPACT Wrestling".Fightful.Archivedfrom the original on October 15, 2021.RetrievedOctober 2,2021.
  25. ^Moore, John (October 1, 2021)."9/30 Impact Wrestling TV Results: Moore's review of Christopher Daniels vs. Madman Fulton, Jordynne Grace and Rachael Ellering vs. Madison Rayne and Tenille Dashwood for a shot at the Knockouts Tag Titles, Laredo Kid vs. Trey Miguel vs. Alex Zayne to qualify for the Triple Threat match for the vacant X Division Championship, W. Morrissey vs. Eddie Edwards in a Street Fight".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.Archivedfrom the original on October 2, 2021.RetrievedOctober 2,2021.
  26. ^Impact Wrestling Staff (October 7, 2021)."IMPACT! on AXS TV Results: October 7, 2021".Impact Wrestling.Archivedfrom the original on October 8, 2021.RetrievedOctober 8,2021.
  27. ^Moore, John (October 8, 2021)."10/7 Impact Wrestling TV results: Christian Cage and Josh Alexander vs. Ace Austin and Madman Fulton, Chris Bey, Hikuleo, and El Phantasmo vs. Chris Sabin, Juice Robinson, and David Finlay, Black Taurus vs. Steve Maclin vs. Petey Williams to qualify for the X Division Championship match at Bound For Glory".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.Archivedfrom the original on October 9, 2021.RetrievedOctober 16,2021.
  28. ^Impact Wrestling Staff (October 14, 2021)."IMPACT! on AXS TV Results: October 14, 2021".Impact Wrestling.Archivedfrom the original on October 15, 2021.RetrievedOctober 15,2021.
  29. ^Impact Wrestling Staff (October 21, 2021)."IMPACT! on AXS TV Results: October 21, 2021".Impact Wrestling.RetrievedOctober 22,2021.
  30. ^Impact Wrestling Staff (October 14, 2021)."Bound For Glory: Heath Goes to War With Violent By Design, Field Set for X-Division Title Three-Way & More".Impact Wrestling.Archivedfrom the original on October 17, 2021.RetrievedOctober 15,2021.
  31. ^Impact Wrestling Staff (October 23, 2021)."Bound For Glory 2021 Results".Impact Wrestling.RetrievedOctober 24,2021.
  32. ^Moore, John (October 23, 2021)."10/23 Moore's Impact Wrestling Bound For Glory live review: Christian Cage vs. Josh Alexander for the Impact World Championship, Deonna Purrazzo vs. Mickie James for the Knockouts Title, Steve Maclin vs. Trey Miguel vs. El Phantasmo for the vacant X Division Title, Call Your Shot gauntlet".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.RetrievedOctober 23,2021.
  33. ^"Heath & Rhino have their chance to fulfill their promise in Impact".MSN.
  34. ^Nason, Josh."Impact TV taping spoilers: Title changes, Over Drive main event set".F4wonline.com.RetrievedOctober 9,2022.
  35. ^Thomas, JJeremy (October 27, 2023)."Heath's Impact Wrestling Contract Expires, Now a Free Agent".411mania.com.RetrievedOctober 27,2023.
  36. ^"XICW Tag Team Championship".Cage Match.RetrievedOctober 5,2020.
  37. ^"IWR St. Valentine's Day Mayhem".Cagematch.Retrieved2022-09-17.
  38. ^Kreikenbohm, Philip (November 14, 2020)."Impact World Tag Team Championship".Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database.RetrievedJanuary 4,2021.
  39. ^"IMPACT Bound For Glory 2020 Results: Winners, News And Notes On October 24".Forbes.
  40. ^"Best of 2020 Part 2 Recap".Impact Wrestling.
  41. ^"IWR World Tag Team Championship History".
  42. ^"Heath and Rhino Tag Titles - Squared Circle Expo Facebook".Facebook.
  43. ^"WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championships".RetrievedMay 22,2020.
  44. ^"XICW Tag Team Championship".Cage Match.RetrievedOctober 5,2020.
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