On June 17, 2018 at Money in the Bank, Ellsworth made his return to WWE, by helping Carmella retain the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship against Asuka, reestablishing himself as a heel and reigniting his on-screen relationship with Carmella from 2017 on a night to night contract. At Extreme Rules, Ellsworth was suspended above the ring in a shark cage during Asuka's rematch with Carmella. Ellsworth tried to escape the cage after breaking the lock, only to become entangled and stuck, distracting Asuka and allowing Carmella to defeat her.