Top 5 rivalries among characters in Cobra Kai. (Photo Credit – IMDb)
Advertisement
Cobra Kai hit the screens in 2018, kicking off its initial seasons on YouTube Red in May 2018 and April 2019. With YouTube halting scripted original content production, Netflix took the reins, acquiring the series in June 2020.
Cobra Kai spins a gripping yarn of trust, resilience, and fierce rivalries among dojo members. Ralph Macchio and William Zabka step into the spotlight, reprising their iconic characters as Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence, first introduced in the 1984 film The Karate Kid and its sequels, The Karate Kid Part II (1986) and The Karate Kid Part III (1989).
The spin-off series is set thirty-four years after his defeat by Daniel LaRusso in the 1984 All-Valley Karate Tournament, with Johnny Lawrence, now in his 50s, grappling with alcoholism and depression. Working part-time as a handyman, he resides in a Reseda apartment, far removed from his affluent upbringing in Encino. His son, Robby, from a previous relationship, has been left behind. Conversely, Daniel enjoys success with a thriving car dealership business, is married to Amanda, and is raising two children: Samantha and Anthony.
Despite his financial prosperity, his past comes roaring back when his former karate foe, Johnny Lawrence (played by William Zabka), resurrects his old dojo, Cobra Kai. As the story unfolds, several conflicts ensue between these two, each somewhat trapped in their pasts. While Johnny grieves over his defeat in the All-Valley tournament, LaRusso battles with the emptiness left by his departed mentor, Mr. Miyagi.
Mitch vs Chris
Mitch vs Chris (Photo Credit – IMDb)
Mitch and Chris entered Cobra Kai together, developing a solid friendship during their tenure. However, Chris grew uneasy with the intense and aggressive teachings of Cobra Kai, prompting him to switch sides to Miyagi-do. With Kreese now in charge of Cobra Kai, Mitch was compelled to confront a formidable new opponent, ending in his eventual defeat. As a result, Kreese kicked Mitch out, which pushed him back to his old sensei, Johnny Lawrence, seeking training at the freshly minted Eagle Fang dojo. Joining Eagle Fang meant Mitch getting hazed by his fellow members, earning him some unflattering monikers. In a wild twist during Cobra Kai season 5, Mitch spills the beans on his annoyance with the nicknames and admits he’s been spying for Cobra Kai, even turning on pals like Chris. This sparks their third showdown, ending with Chris on top once again.
Demetri vs Eli Moskowitz aka Hawk
Demetri vs Eli Moskowitz aka Hawk. (Photo Credit – IMDb)
Demetri and Eli Moskowitz began the series as close pals. Both shared a passion for Star Wars, comics, and video games. However, when Eli grew tired of being bullied for his appearance, he transformed himself into a “Hawk” by shaving his head into a mohawk and adopting a new persona. Over time, Hawk drifted apart from his friend while Demetri grappled with karate training at Miyagi-do. As they found themselves in rival dojos, competition intensified, particularly with Hawk’s aggressive behavior towards Demetri, culminating in physical altercations and a broken arm. Reflecting on his actions, Hawk eventually left Cobra Kai, coinciding with Demetri’s progress in karate and his first victory against Hawk. Despite this, Hawk maintains his reputation as the superior fighter, utilizing fair and foul tactics.
Kenny Payne vs Anthony LaRusso
Kenny Payne vs Anthony LaRusso. (Photo Credit – IMDb)
Kenny entered the Cobra Kai scene in season 4, gradually gaining prominence. Having experienced frequent school changes due to his military background, Kenny finds himself at the same school as Daniel LaRusso’s son, Anthony, hoping to make friends. Unfortunately, things worsen when Anthony and his crew start relentlessly bullying Kenny. In response, Kenny decides to join Cobra Kai for martial arts training. Quickly mastering the Cobra Kai techniques and embracing their motto, “Strike First, Strike Hard, No Mercy,” Kenny returns to school with newfound confidence, ready to confront his tormentors. He successfully handled his bullies and defeated Anthony multiple times.
Daniel LaRusso vs Terry Silver
Daniel LaRusso vs Terry Silver. (Photo Credit – Netflix)
Even though LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence started with a rivalry, LaRusso soon saw that Lawrence was under the sway of figures like John Kreese, pulling him into darker territory. When LaRusso and Lawrence teamed up to confront Kreese and hopefully remove him, Kreese brought in his old army buddy, Terry Silver, to bolster Cobra Kai. However, Silver proved to be even more brutal and aggressive than Kreese.
Silver showed no reluctance in resorting to violence against students and disrupting their personal lives to advance his agenda of expanding Cobra Kai. Fortunately, LaRusso and his comrades uncovered Silver’s illicit activities only after a heated showdown with him. Amid the intense confrontation, Silver went as far as attempting to take LaRusso’s life. Nevertheless, drawing upon his understanding of Miyagi-do and Cobra Kai karate, LaRusso emerged triumphant, enduring only minor injuries.
Miguel Diaz vs Robby Keene
Miguel Diaz vs Robby Keene. (Photo Credit – Youtube)
Robby and Miguel’s dynamic in Cobra Kai is intricate. Robby, Johnny Lawrence’s estranged son, meets Miguel, a neighbor of Johnny Lawrence raised by his single mother and grandmother. Miguel discovers Johnny Lawrence’s hidden talent as a fighter and turns to him for self-defense coaching. Their relationship grows, mirroring a father-son bond. However, The personal challenges faced by Robby, the biological son of Johnny Lawrence, reveal that his absent father is prioritizing his connection with Miguel over their relationship.
Miguel, while dating Sam, Daniel LaRusso’s daughter, discovers that Robby is living in her house and receiving karate lessons from her father in private sessions with Sam. Naturally, both boys feel disrespected and develop a strong dislike for each other without knowing the whole story. They have confronted each other in the All-Valley tournament, where Robby emerged victorious, and in other informal fights. However, the most severe altercation occurred when Robby won in a dishonorable manner by kicking Miguel down a staircase, temporarily incapacitating him.
