10 WWE Storylines That Saved Wrestling Careers

10. I Got Kids (Heath Slater)

Let's start with a modern example.

During the 2016 WWE Draft, Heath Slater was the only Social Outcasts member not picked by either Raw or SmackDown. WWE's writers turned that into a storyline shortly after, but there must have been a reason why Heath was left out. After the Nexus, 3MB, Slater-Gator and Outcasts gigs, it looked like he was on his way out.

To his (and WWE's) credit, Slater brilliantly made the most of his plight as a name on the fringes. Suddenly, he was rethought as someone more self-aware who worried about providing for his family if he lost his job. That became the basis for the "I Got Kids" movement, and it led to a career-best promo performance opposite Brock Lesnar.

Heath showed WWE something new against Brock. Unlike before when he was treading water, there was some emotion in Slater's voice. The new character led to a SmackDown Tag-Team Title run with Rhyno and a heavy presence during the blue brand's first few months post-Draft.

Though Slater hasn't kept the momentum going, there's no doubt "I Got Kids" prolonged his WWE career.