On 3 January 2020 episode of "SmackDown", Sheamus returned from injury, appearing to save Shorty G from an attack by The Revival (Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson), but then delivered a "Brogue Kick" to Shorty G. Sheamus then defeated Shorty G at Royal Rumble, and on 31 January episode of "SmackDown". He began a feud with Jeff Hardy insulting him for his various addiction problems, but was defeated by him in the first round of the Intercontinental Championship tournament on 22 May episode of "SmackDown". On 29 May, episode of "SmackDown", Hardy was "arrested" after crashing his car into Elias, however later in the episode, Hardy would cause a distraction for Sheamus, costing him a match against Daniel Bryan, and attacked Sheamus after the match.