On 5 May episode of "Raw", Sheamus won a 20-man battle royal to win the United States Championship for the second time, last eliminating the previous champion Dean Ambrose. Sheamus then began feuding with Cesaro and his manager Paul Heyman, culminating in a match between Sheamus and Cesaro for the championship at Payback, which Sheamus won. On 9 June, Sheamus defeated Bad News Barrett to qualify for the Money in the Bank ladder match for the vacant WWE World Heavyweight Championship; the match was won by John Cena. Sheamus was in the Intercontinental Championship battle royal at Battleground; the match was won by The Miz. Sheamus successfully defended the title against Cesaro at Night of Champions, and The Miz at Hell in a Cell. He lost the title to Rusev on 3 November, in a match aired exclusively on the WWE Network ending his reign at 182 days. Following this, Sheamus was written off television when he and Big Show were attacked by Rusev and Mark Henry, allowing Sheamus time off for surgery.