Warning! Spoilers for Cobra Kai season 6, part 3 ahead!
Cobra Kaiseason 6, part 3’s final episodes included aRockyreference, and the real meaning here made Daniel & Johnny’s long-awaited ending even better. Johnny has mentioned theRockymovies several times throughout theKarate Kidspinoff, so it’s evident by season 6 that they are among his favorites. Of course, as a man somewhat stuck in the 1980s, so Johnny’s love for the Sylvester Stallone franchise makes a great deal of sense. The crossover becomes even more meaningful considering the clear parallels between theRockyandKarate Kidmovies.
The Karate KidandRockyare franchises of the same general breed. Both spanned the 1980s (though the firstRockymovie was released in 1976) and follow Italian-American competitive fighters through various trials and tribulations. Additionally,The Karate Kidmoviesare directed by John G. Avildsen, who also directed the first and fourthRockymovies. Crossovers are easy enough to pull off here, which is whyNetflix’sKarate Kidspinoff so frequently referencesRocky.Cobra Kaiseason 6, part 3 especially delivered in this regard, wherethe themes ofRockyhelped Johnny accept his own possible fate.
Daniel Referenced Rocky To Tell Johnny It Was Okay To Lose The Fight
Daniel Knew Johnny Would Connect With Rocky’s Loss
The ending ofCobra Kaiseason 6, part 3, gave Johnny the chance to redo his big 1984 All-Valley Tournament loss. As a way to resolve the Sekai Taikai tie between Cobra Kai and the Iron Dragons, it’s decided that the senseis of these dojos would face off in a classic three-point match. To lose would mean that Cobra Kai would lose the world championship, but there was more to it from Johnny’s perspective. Everything went wrong in his life when he lost against Daniel inThe Karate Kid, and Johnny was terrified that the same would be true this time around.
Daniel had what was likely the best possible advice he could have given his old rival.He reminded Johnny that Rocky had lost the fight against Apollo Creedin the firstRockymovie and that this was a far more impactful ending than if Sylvester Stallone’s character had been victorious. Daniel told Johnny that, like with Rocky, Johnny’s true victory would be his own fight and perseverance to get Cobra Kai that far.
Daniel’sRockyreference was really a reminder that it had always been okay that Johnny lost back in 1984.
Of course, this didn’t stop Johnny from wanting to beatSensei Wolf inCobra Kaiseason 6. However, Daniel’sRockyreference was really a reminder that it had always been okay that Johnny lost back in 1984.John Kreese made him feel like a loser for coming in second, but Johnny’s loss wasn’t all bad since it meant he was comparable to Rocky Balboa. The fact that Daniel knew this was precisely what Johnny needed to hear was a meaningful testament to these characters' development throughoutCobra Kai. In a way, this, too, is a reference toRocky.
Daniel & Johnny’s Training Montage Was Inspired By The Rocky Movies
Daniel & Johnny Give Rocky & Creed Vibes
After Daniel’sRockypep talk, he and Johnny began training together for the big fight with Sensei Wolf. The montage, which saw the pair, at one point, training on the beach, was a clear reference toRocky IIIwhen former enemies Rocky and Creedteamed up to train at a similar sandy location. This wasa tongue-in-cheek way forCobra Kaito highlight the formulaic similaritiesbetweenRocky,The Karate Kid, and its various sequels and spinoffs. What’s more, a good old-fashioned ’80s-style montage is a tried and true method of getting audiences pumped up for a big climactic fight.
Cobra Kai’s Finale Using “You’re The Best” Made The Rocky Callbacks Even Better
Cobra Kai’s Montage Song Has A Double Meaning
Daniel and Johnny’s training montage was most certainly an homage to theRockymovies, but this is another area where these franchises overlap. The song “You’re the Best” by Joe Esposito was a reference to theKarate Kidmontage that showed Daniel kicking ass at the All-Valley and climbing the bracket, leading all the way to the championship rounds (and Daniel’s victory over Johnny). The fact thatCobra Kaiused this song to showcase Johnny and Daniel’s newfound teamwork is both ironic and heartwarming. However,“You’re the Best” also had significance following Daniel’sRockyreference.
TheRockymovies are available to rent or buy on Apple TV.
The song"You’re the Best" was initially written forRocky III—the same movie in which Rocky and Creed trained together on the beach. Stallone turned the song down, but his pal Avildsen claimed it forThe Karate Kid. While this connection exists strictly in the real world,it almost feels like “You’re the Best” drags theRockyandKarate Kidfranchises into the same universe. The fact that theRockymovies exist inCobra Kaiand Johnny and Daniel are personal fans only makes the whole thing more fun.
