On the January 4, 2016 episode of "Raw", Axel turned heel, when he along with Heath Slater, Adam Rose and Bo Dallas, debuted a new stable and assisted Slater in defeating Dolph Ziggler, calling themselves "The Social Outcasts". At Royal Rumble, Axel would enter the Royal Rumble match at number 5, before being eliminated by AJ Styles. On February 21 at Fastlane, Axel defeated R-Truth, with interference from fellow The Social Outcasts members. At WrestleMania 32, Axel participated in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, which was won by Baron Corbin. In May, The Social Outcasts took time out to film "". The Social Outcasts returned on the June 27 episode of "Raw", confronting Enzo Amore and Big Cass. The following week on "Raw", The Social Outcasts was defeated by Enzo and Cass.