(Since Season Five is still so new, this list won’t be including any fights from that season. Partially because of spoilers, but primarily because it’ll take another viewing or two of the season for the awesome fights to really marinate in my mind and settle into place.)
It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Cobra Kai, and with the newest season having just premiered, I was in the mood to revisit some of my favorite fight scenes from this incredible show. This list will count down my Top 10 favorite fights in the show, from Seasons 1-4.
10) Johnny vs Kyler’s Gang (Season 1 Episode 1)
The fight that started it all, right in the first episode. For being the first fight scene of the entire show, it does a pretty remarkable job of setting the tone for the seasons of content to follow. It has some solid choreography (which will be a consistent trend for this list), mixes in a few funny moments, and also does wonders for catching the viewer up on Johnny’s characterization. It’s a fairly simple rumble, but it has massive repercussions for the Cobra Kai universe moving forward.
9) Daniel vs Johnny (Season 4 Episode 5)
After four and a half seasons of build-up, Johnny and Daniel finally have a true, officially-ruled rematch. On an emotional level it sucks to see these two go at it after their dojo team-up was going so well, but as a spectator it is an extremely exciting bout that fully capitalizes on decades of hype. Daniel tries throwing in some of his old moves, Johnny learns from previous bouts and counters Daniel’s tricky tactics, the teens (and the audience) are on the edge of their seats the entire time, and it ends in a beautifully perfect tie. A solid fight all-around.
8) Robby vs Cobra Kai (Season 4 Episode 1)
Most of the best fights happen towards the later ends of each season, but this one really caught my eye even from the first watch. It’s great for several reasons. One, Robby absolutely dominates the competition, proving he’s more than a match for Cobra Kai. Two, the cinematography and choreography are both great, with some neat moves and unique angles in this surprisingly long fight (especially Tory’s kick-up hit at the very end). Three, it leads wonderfully into Robby and Tory’s arc for the rest of the season, builds off of their early chemistry, and teases their relationship upgrade to come.
7) Robby vs Miguel (Season 1 Episode 10)
The first season’s grand finale might be a lot less flashy than future bouts of crazy showdowns, but it is still a solid, well-paced, and well-acted battle. These two have been shaping up as rivals for the entire season, and it is a fantastic display of the skills they’ve learned when they finally come to blows. Robby demonstrates his flexibility and blocking capabilities, while Miguel showcases his growing aggression and ruthlessness. It’s a stroke of writing genius that the victor of this match leaves the viewer with such a conflicted feeling.
6) Juvie Fight/Arcade Fight (Season 3 Episode 5)
This is a mirror match of sorts, as the scene cuts back and forth between Robby sticking up to his juvenile detention bully, Shaun, and Sam leading an ill-fated counterattack against Cobra Kai at the Golf n’ Stuff arcade. Because it intercuts so frequently (and is backed by the same musical track), I think it’s best to view these two fights as two sides of the same coin. This analogy also works, because we see how aggression can be used to make ourselves stronger (Robby standing up for himself), and also how it can blind us and tear us apart (Sam’s overconfidence being her downfall, Hawk breaking Dimitri’s arm). This fight also sets up Sam’s character arc with her anxiety about Tory, and has some stellar stunt work between Robby and the juvie goons.
5) The Home Invasion (Season 3 Episode 10)
What’s the most reasonable way to top all an out school brawl in terms of sheer craziness? How about a literal, breaking-and-entering, home invasion? Absurd? Yes. Awesome? Totally. This clash of the dojos starts at 100% (Bert being thrown through a window and Tory kicking down the front door), and it doesn’t let up from there. There’s a long and well-designed “oner” spanning the halls of the LaRusso household, the epic team-up of Hawk and Dimitri, Miguel getting fighting spirit back, Sam standing up to Tory, and all of it is backed by stellar guitar riffs and a rocking remix of “Carol of the Bells”.
4) Johnny and Daniel vs Kreese (Season 3 Episode 10)
Fresh off the heels of the home invasion, we have the amazing two-part final clash with Kreese. Thanks to the use of ingenious camera angles and a near-identical body double, we get to see that even in his old age, Kreese is a force to be reckoned with. He and Johnny brawl through the tight hallway of the Cobra Kai dojo, and Johnny proves himself the bigger man by not using a weapon when he has the chance. Then, Daniel gets to strut his stuff by humiliating Kreese with effective blocks and the pressure point technique. The fight has a great soundtrack, makes excellent use of foreshadowing and Chekov’s Gun, and brings a culmination to the overall best season of the show.
3) Sam vs Tory (Season 4 Episode 10)
This fight has a whole lot riding on it, and it doesn’t disappoint in any regard. Coming off the heels of one of the greatest one-one-one fights of all time, Sam and Tory come to blows for the sixth time, and this time the roles have reversed, with Tory trying to play fair and Sam willing to do whatever it takes to win. The soundtrack backing this fight is incredible, and some of the acrobatic moves these two pull off are a joy to watch. The fight is surprisingly long as well, which is a surprise to be sure, but a welcome one. There’s a lot of emotion and storytelling going on in this showdown, and some amazing character development for Tory, and even Kreese, standing on the sidelines.
2) Eli vs Robby (Season 4 Episode 10)
When it comes to strictly one-on-one showdowns (excluding paired-off fighters in otherwise big group brawls), there’s simply no better battle than this one. With the exception of a single, three-second long shot, this entire fight is done by Eli and Robby’s actual actors, serving as a career highlighting showcase of their athletic abilities. The music goes as hard as it ever has, the cinematography and choreography are unmatched, and the intensity of the fight keeps you on edge for the entire time, especially as that tricky final point just keeps going and going. You’re almost as worn out as the characters by the time the fight reaches its climactic finish. This is one crazy hype fight.
So, why isn’t this number one? Well…
1) The School Brawl (Season 2 Episode 10)
As I’ve mentioned no less than three times across this blog by now, the epic school fight simply defies proper explanation. It’s indescribably awesome. There’s so much chaos, so many smaller battles happening in so many different places and so many different ways. It’s a lot to handle, which really adds to the intensity of it all. Not to mention the incredible music track that gets your blood-pumping with its rocking guitar riffs and remixes of each character’s unique motifs.
Everyone has a chance to shine in this fight, from Dimitri defending himself against Hawk, to Robby and Miguel coming to blows with no-holds-barred, to Sam and Tory viciously tearing each other apart. On top of all of this, we are treated with the jaw-dropping 90-second oner stretching up and down the hallway as the Cobra Kai and Miyagi-Do students have the battle of a lifetime.
Sometimes I genuinely wish I could go back and watch this scene for the first time again.
But hey, that’s just my opinion!
The Contrarian Corner 