Warning! Spoilers for Cobra Kai season 6, part 3, ahead!
Cobra Kaiseason 6, part 3, was the last installment of the series, and these episodes went all in on theKarate Kidreferences. While the overall series makes frequent callbacks to the original franchise, the final installment made itself an homage to the 1980s films. There were several flashback moments to the start of Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso’s rivalry that were difficult to miss. However,Cobra Kaiseason 6, part 3, was also full of more subtle references that only quietly called back toThe Karate Kid.
Cobra Kaiseason 6, part 3 set itself up to parallelThe Karate Kid.The Sekai Taikaireturned to the Valley, and the rivalry between Johnny and Sensei Wolf was presented as the newDaniel and Johnny. Additionally, we see Kreese grapple with his mistakes as a sensei, and Daniel work through his own feelings about Mr. Miyagi. The old sensei even made a posthumous appearance. Overall, it’s clear thatCobra Kaiseason 6, part 3 wanted audiences to feel as nostalgic forThe Karate Kidas possible.
22The Return Of Johnny’s Cobra Kai Buddy Bobby Brown
Karate Kid’s Bobby Made A Final Appearance
Johnny became concerned inCobra Kaiseason 6, part 3, that he was bringing his daughter into a life of sin because he wasn’t married to Carmen. This naturallybrought him to the most godly person he knew—his old Cobra Kai buddy, Bobby Brown. Though this character, played inThe Karate KidandCobra Kaiby Ron Thomas, was a bully back in the day, he became a pastor in his adult years.
21Back To The All-Valley Tournament Gymnasium
It Ends Where It All Started
Though the Sekai Taikai was initially set in Barcelona inCobra Kaiseason 6, part 2, the location for the finals changed in part 3 following Kwon’s death. It was ultimately announced that these championship matches between Iron Dragon, Cobra Kai, and Miyagi-Do would be held at the home gymnasium of theAll-Valley Tournament. This isthe same place Daniel beat Johnny inThe Karate Kidback in 1984.
20Johnny’s Baby Is Named After Laura Lawrence
Johnny’s Mother Was Referenced
Johnny decided toname his little daughter Laura after his mother, Laura Lawrence.Cobra Kaiput a bit more focus on Laura and her relationship with Johnny, and she was played by actor Candace Moon in the Netflix spinoff series. Back inThe Karate Kid, however, Laura was played by Sharon Spelman.
19Johnny & Daniel’s All-Valley Fight In The Sekai Taikai Featurette
Cobra Kai Contained More Footage From The All-Valley
The organizers of the Sekai Taikai put together a featurette about the dojos and senseis that would be participating in the championship rounds. It featured interviews with Terry Silver, Sensei Wolf, Daniel LaRusso, and Johnny Lawrence, but whoever put it together also managed to get footage of the 1984 All-Valley Tournament. Of course,these were really just clips taken right fromThe Karate Kid.
18Kreese & Johnny’s Karate Kid Part II Flashback
They Put This Terrible Moment Behind Them
In Cobra Kai, season 6, part 3, John Kreese and Johnny Lawrence had a heart-to-heart about their falling out following the 1984 All-Valley Tournament. To remind audiences about what happened between them,the episode included a flashback scene of Kreese choking Johnny outinThe Karate Kid Part II.
17Johnny’s Good Sportsmanship At The All-Valley
Cobra Kai Finally Referenced Johnny’s Best Karate Kid Moment
InCobra Kaiseason 6, part 3, John Kreese apologized for treating Johnny poorly after losing the All-Valley Tournament in 1984. He pointed out thatJohnny had shown good sportsmanship, proving that he was a better man than his sensei. Kreese was talking about Johnny choosing to award Daniel the trophy himself, accompanied by the line, “You’re alright, LaRusso.”
16The Return of Darryl Vidal
The Karate Kid’s Semifinalist
Darryl Vidal is named after the actor who played him, who also served as a stunt double for Mr. Miyagi in the originalThe Karate Kidmovie.
The referee of the Sekai Taikai was announced to be a local celebrity in the Valley—Darryl Vidal. This is anotherlegacyKarate Kidcharacter, whom Johnny beat in the semifinals before facing off with Daniel. Darryl Vidal is named after the actor who played him, who also served as a stunt double for Mr. Miyagi in the originalThe Karate Kidmovie.
15Robby’s Sekai Taikai Injury
Robby’s Fight Mirror’s Daniel’s
Robby didn’t think he stood a chance against Iron Dragon’s Axel, but he wound up catching up in points, to everyone’s surprise. Sensei Wolf ordered his student to break Robby’s leg to ensure Axel couldn’t lose. This entire sequence was a clearnod to Kreese ordering his student to injure Daniel’s leg at the All-Valley TournamentinThe Karate Kid.
14"You Did Well Out There, Young Man"
After Robby’s leg was broken, he was taken to the locker room to be examined by a medic. Once the exam was over, the man told Robby that he would inform the judges that he couldn’t continue, following this up with the line, “Youdid well out there, young man.“This is precisely what the medic said to Danielafter his leg injury back in 1984 duringThe Karate Kid.
13Mr. Miyagi’s Heat Massage
It’s Not Magic Afterall
Since Robby’s injury was set up exactly like Daniel’sinThe Karate Kid, it would have made sense for audiences toexpect Daniel or Chozen to magically heal the boy the way Mr. Miyagi had. Daniel himself even mentioned this, but Chozen responded that the “heat massage” isn’t magic. Daniel’s leg hadn’t been broken back in 1984, just injured. This time around, Robby truly was out of the tournament.
