One movie reference in Cobra Kai highlights the perfect way for the show to end Johnny and Daniel’s story. While it’s no secret at this point that Ralph Macchio still has more to do as Daniel DaRusso with a new Karate Kid movie on the horizon, a major chapter in the franchise is about to end nonetheless. Cobra Kai season 6 will seemingly close the door on several characters’ journeys.

For now, it’s unclear how Cobra Kai intends to wrap things up for its protagonists, but whatever route it takes, viewers can rest assured that Johnny and Daniel’s dynamic will be at the center of it. After all, their relationship – which kickstarted Daniel’s story to begin with – is the foundation for nearly everything that’s transpired so far. With that in mind, there’s every expectation for Macchio and William Zabka’s characters to enjoy a memorable scene together in the show’s final moments. Interestingly, one of the show’s many pop culture references reveal what that should be.

Cobra Kai’s Rocky III Reference Highlights The Best Possible Ending

One of several films to get a nod in Cobra Kai is Rocky III. Johnny’s fondness for it was first acknowledged in season 1 when he mentioned to Miguel that it was the movie he went to see with Ali on their first date. Apparently understanding that it’s a favorite of Johnny’s, Miguel used it in season 4 to make a point to Johnny about how he should make amends with Daniel. As Miguel explained, Rocky had to work with his rival (Apollo Creed) to take down Clubber Lang. That made Rocky III crucial to Johnny’s decision to soften his attitude toward Daniel in the episode, and it may not be the last time the movie is relevant either.

As the Rocky III reference shows, there’s a huge parallel between its central rivalry and Cobra Kai’s. The reference to it makes it clear that the series is well aware of that connection, which boosts the chances of the series paying homage to another aspect of their story, which is how Rocky III ended with Rocky and Apollo about to exchange blows. It kicked off an exciting rematch, but notably refrained from showing the fight itself or teasing who would win the fight. For Apollo, the match was a way to settle once and for all who was the better fighter. A similar arrangement would make sense for Johnny and Daniel in Cobra Kai’s ending.

Cobra Kai Doesn’t Need To Answer The Johnny Vs. Daniel Debate

If Cobra Kai is going to take inspiration from another movie or show when it ends its story, there isn’t a better choice for that than Rocky III. Not only does the movie focus on a similar rivalry, but in both cases, the debate over which fighter is better isn’t one that necessarily has to be answered. Rocky was ultimately a story about overcoming personal adversity; Rocky didn’t have to prove he was better than Apollo, per se, but he did prove that he was capable of beating him (which he did in Rocky II).

Similarly, Cobra Kai isn’t about Johnny finally proving he’s superior to Daniel or vice versa. Instead, it’s been a story about the two characters recognizing each other’s strengths and coming to terms with their differences. For that reason, it’s for the best that the series has avoided picking a definitive winner. True to that approach, Cobra Kai season 6 can lean on Rocky III to show once again that it really doesn’t matter who would win.