Ryan Day can’t catch a break. Even after reaching the semifinals of the playoffs!

He has guided Ohio State to two playoff wins this season, silencing critics who doubted his ability to rebound after the sting of November’s rivalry week loss. But even when Day’s Buckeyes are dominating on the field, it seems Sherrone Moore and Michigan live rent-free in their heads (or vice versa). Whether it’s flags planted in the Horseshoe or trolls popping up in unexpected places, the rivalry refuses to rest. And this time, the battlefield wasn’t even on a gridiron—it was in a wrestling ring.

The stage? WWE’s high-profile Netflix debut in Los Angeles. Among the lights, pyrotechnics, and signature eyebrow raises from none other than Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, a maize-and-blue poster stood out in the crowd like a sore thumb. The message scrawled across it was a dagger straight to the hearts of Ryan Day and OSU. Talk about taking the rivalry to WrestleMania levels. If anyone would’ve missed it, thanks in part to Michigan beat writer Aaron McMann, who shared the image with what could only be described as smug pride. “Someone in the crowd at WWE’s Netflix debut in Los Angeles is a Michigan fan,” he posted on X, twisting the knife just a little deeper.

“1864 days since OSU beat Michigan.”

The timing of the troll was impeccable. Michigan’s upset over Ohio State in November was their fourth consecutive victory in the series, a streak that’s become a source of endless misery for Buckeye fans. The most recent loss—a nail-biting 13-10 defeat in Columbus—wasn’t just a blow to Ohio State’s playoff hopes but also a public relations disaster. The game ended in chaos, with players exchanging blows on the field after Michigan players celebrated by planting their flag in the middle of the Horseshoe. The Big Ten slapped both schools with $100,000 fines, but the damage to Ohio State’s pride was priceless.

Even Michigan’s head coach, Sherrone Moore, couldn’t resist fueling the rivalry fire. Days after the infamous brawl, Moore mimicked the flag-planting celebration to pump the crowd before the Wolverines’ game against Iowa, much to the delight of the Ann Arbor just ate it up. It was a bold move, but Michigan’s swagger under former head coach Jim Harbaugh has been undeniable during this three-peat. For Ryan Day, the losses have fueled whispers about his ability to handle the pressure of ‘The Game.’ It’s a burden that seems to grow heavier with each passing year.

Yet, while Michigan fans revel in their trolling, Day’s Buckeyes have quietly gone back to work. Since the loss, Ohio State has rattled off two dominant victories in the College Football Playoff. This includes a statement win over Oregon in the Rose Bowl. Still, it’s hard to shake the feeling that Michigan’s shadow looms large, even as Ohio State tries to move forward.

Whether it’s a poster at a WWE event or an endless stream of memes on social media, the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry is a story that never stops writing itself.

Ryan Day reflects on the weight of the ‘W’

After the Rose Bowl win, Ryan Day was asked a question that many Buckeye fans have probably wrestled with: Could that gut-wrenching loss to Michigan have actually helped Ohio State prepare for their postseason run? Day’s response was as thoughtful as you’d expect.

“It’s hard for me to say something like that,” Day admitted. “But I do believe you’re a sum of your experiences. This team has had great wins this season, but also tough losses. And we’ve learned from them. You’ve got to grow, build, and focus on your strengths, all while addressing your weaknesses. I think that’s a big part of it. That’s what this team has done.”

If Day and his Scarlet & Grays want to flip the script, they’ll need more than playoff wins and regular-season dominance. He’ll need to conquer the one team that has eluded them. Until then, every flag planted, every troll poster, and every viral post will serve as a reminder of the rivalry that refuses to let them go.