on the january 19 episode of "raw", sting provided another assist, as john cena won ziggler, ryback and rowan's jobs back. ziggler returned to television on the next "smackdown" and qualified for the royal rumble match by beating barrett in a non-title match. in the 2015 royal rumble match, ziggler entered as the last entrant, scored two eliminations but was quickly eliminated by big show and kane. at fastlane, ziggler competed together with rowan and ryback in a six-man tag team match against rollins, big show and kane, which they lost. on the march 5 episode of "smackdown", ziggler was announced as a participant in the 7-man ladder match for the intercontinental championship at wrestlemania 31, which was won by daniel bryan.