Summary
Warning: Spoilers for Cobra Kai season 6 part 1
AfterCobra Kaiseason 6 part 1, Mike Barnes vs. Terry Silver stands out as theKarate Kidlegacy fight I need to see more than any other. To me, one ofCobra Kai’sbest decisions was to bring in otherKarate Kidvillains aside from Johnny, allowing new conflicts and rivalries between old favorites to unfold. Taking this direction has allowed us to see fights between characters who never met or were previously on the same side inThe Karate Kidmovies.
To this end,Cobra Kaihas treated us to some exciting new matchups over the years, with Daniel vs. Terry Silver, Mike Barnes vs. Chozen, and Chozen vs. Silver being among the best. I was glad to seeCobra Kaiseason 6 continue this approach by pittingJohnny Lawrence against Mike Barnes. And with there being ten episodes left inCobra Kai’sfinal season, I’ll be surprised if at least one more of these doesn’t happen. As for what it will entail, I’m hoping it will be a direct follow-up to what happened between Johnny and the “Bad Boy of Karate.”
Why Mike Barnes vs. Terry Silver Needs To Happen In Cobra Kai Season 6
Terry Silver Ruined Mike Barnes' Life
AfterCobra Kaiseason 5’s ending, I interpreted Mike Barnes' role in the big fight to be the show’s resolution to his issues with Terry Silver. I wasn’t sure if Silver would come back, or if Barnes would, for that matter. But I’m convinced both should, and that a fight between them is whereCobra Kaineeds to take Mike Barnes' story if it continues any further.Season 6 used Silver burning down Barnes' furniture store to revive the character’s darker impulses, and proved that it’s behind his current emotional state, which is great storytelling potential season 6 can work with.
While Mike Barnes did have a hand in Terry Silver’s defeat, his contribution was admittedly small, considering Barnes was unconscious for most of the fight and never got to fight Silver personally.
WhenCobra Kaioriginally brought back Mike Barnes, the qualities that made him a villain inThe Karate Kid Part IIIwere largely absent. This wasn’t necessarily a problem, as his change in attitude demonstrated his growth as a character over a 30-year period. But Silver’s actions marked a massive setback for him, presenting an interesting dimension to Mike Barnes that’s not been on display since the 1980s. Since Terry Silver was the catalyst for all this,watching Mike Barnes work out his frustrations against Silver is exactly what I want to see next for his character.
Why Mike Barnes Would Probably Beat Terry Silver
Mike Barnes Woudn’t Have Lost So Badly To Daniel
As two of thebest fighters inThe Karate Kidfranchise, Barnes and Silver have what it takes to deliver one of the season’s greatest fight scenes. Both are extremely skilled, and the intensity Sean Kanan’s Barnes would inevitably bring to the confrontation would only complement that. What’s more, I’m confident it’ll have a satisfying ending, asI expect Mike Barnes to winand in doing so, perhaps find a way to move on with his life and get back to where he was before Daniel and Silver brought karate back into his life.
Of course, Terry Silver has the potential to make this one interesting. He gave Chozen a tough fight, and has had other impressive moments. But Mike Barnes, in my opinion, is an even better fighter. After all, his reputation as a former national champion in karate speaks for itself. He’s not unbeatable, of course, but given his toughness, natural talent, and ferocity,I can’t imagine a scenario where Mike Barnes loses a one-on-one-fight as decisively as Terry Silver didwhen he was beaten by Daniel LaRusso in theCobra Kaiseason 5 finale.
How A Mike Barnes vs. Terry Silver Fight Could Happen
If Terry Silver Gets His Charges Dropped, He Could Return To Cause Trouble
By emphasizing that the impact Terry Silver had on Mike Barnes still lingers inCobra Kaiseason 6 part 1, the show has already taken one step toward a potential fight between the twoKarate Kid Part IIIvillains. However, its setup for such a fight never goes beyond that. That could change, though, if Silver becomes a threat again.
Daniel downplayed that possibility to Amanda in theCobra Kaiseason 6 premiere, pointing out that Silver has no one to fight for him. But this claim seems to overlook the fact that Silver paid Barnes to fight for him in the past. There’s no reason why Silver couldn’t repeat this strategy with someone else. That could trigger a fight with Mike Barnes, considering that the latter is clearly still in touch withDaniel and Johnny’s dojo. If the two need help with Silver, I’m sure Mike Barnes won’t decline an opportunity for revenge.
Cobra Kai
Cast
Cobra Kai is a sequel series continuing the narrative of the Karate Kid saga, set 30 years after the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament. It focuses on Johnny Lawrence seeking redemption by reopening the Cobra Kai dojo, reigniting his rivalry with Daniel LaRusso, who strives to maintain balance in his life.
