Warning! This article contains major spoilers for Cobra Kai season 6, part 3.After facing many trials and tribulations throughout his karate journey inCobra Kai, Robby meets a bittersweet fate in season 6’s part 3. InCobra Kai’s initial arcs, Robby was introduced asDaniel LaRusso’s first official Miyagi Do student, which made him one of the most rootable characters in the series. However, his narrative took a dark turn when Daniel banned him from his dojo, forcing him to compete with no sensei in the All-Valley Tournament. Although Robby’s relationship with Daniel eventually improved, he landed in some deep trouble afterCobra Kai season 2’s endingschool showdown.
While experiencing some significant highs and lows afterCobra Kai’s initial seasons, Robby shifted dojos, guided younger fighters, and even learned to grow from his resentment towards his father. He learned many valuable lessons along the way and buried his beef with old enemies like Miguel. However, one thing remained missing from his narrative: a karate tournament win. Although he comes close to achieving the missing element inCobra Kaiseason 6 part 3, his story takes an unexpected turn.
Axel Kovacevic Was Told By Sensei Wolf To Break Robby Keene’s Leg
Robby’s Injury Story Parallels Daniel’s From Karate Kid
InCobra Kaiseason 6’s episode 13, Axel initially feels confident about his fight against Robby and believes he will land an easy win against him. Robby, too, gets flashbacks of the beatdown Axel had given him during an early round of the tournament, making him question if he has what it takes to beat his formidable opponent. However, when the fight begins, Robby not only puts his newfound skills on full display but also refuses to back down. His steadfast determination catches Axel off guard and breaks his confidence, prompting Sensei Wolf to resort to extreme methods.
The Iron Dragon Team In Cobra Kai Explained
Cobra Kai season 6’s part 2 adds a whole new dojo, Iron Dragons, to the mix, establishing that Miyagi Do and Cobra Kai are not the top contenders.
Realizing that Robby might have a shot at winning against Axel, Sensei Wolf, on Silver’s command, asks Axel to break Robby’s leg. Axel listens and twists Robby’s leg when the Miyagi Do fighter attempts to kick him. The referee, too, does not disqualify Axel, claiming that both fighters “got tangled up” before hitting the mat. Sensei Wolf and Axel’s cheap tactic to win against Robby by injuring him isreminiscent of what John Kreese and Johnny Lawrence tried to do to win against Daniel LaRusso in thefirstKarate Kidmovie.
Like Robby, Daniel was on the verge of winning against Johnny before he delivered an illegal move and even got away with it.
Just like Axel rolls Robby over the mat and twists his leg when he tries to kick him, Johnny, too, had elbowed Daniel’s knee in the originalKarate Kidmovie. Like Robby, Daniel was on the verge of winning against Johnny before he delivered an illegal move and even got away with it. Unfortunately, both Robby and Daniel became victims of their opponents' desperation to win instead of getting a fair chance to prove themselves.
Robby’s Injury Made It Impossible For Him To Continue Fighting
Luckily for Daniel, his injury inKarate Kidwas not severe enough to stop him from finishing the fight. Mr. Miyagi used his healing technique to temporarily fix his leg, allowing him to beat Johnny Lawrence with his iconic crane kick. Recalling how Mr. Miyagi helped him fight during his All-Valley final against Johnny, Daniel asks Chozen if he knows how to perform Miyagi’s heat massage. He hopes the same technique might help Robby last a few more minutes on the mat to finish the fight.
To his dismay, Chozen assures him that Mr. Miyagi’s heat massage cannot magically fix a broken leg. With this, it becomes evident that Robby cannot continue fighting in the tournament, marking the end of his Sekai Taikai run. During his fight against Axel, Robby proves his unwillingness to give up, which even becomes his biggest strength against the Iron Dragon fighter. However, despite knowing that he could have won and having the will to continue, Robby finds himself in a helpless situation that forces him to give up.
Robby Was Wise Enough To Accept What Happened But Was Still Frustrated
He Avoids Repeating His Father’s Biggest Mistake
Robby sheds a few tears while processing his loss and feels frustrated that his Sekai Taikai journey ended with an unfair injury. At the same time, he shows immense maturity by acknowledging that it still lands him in second place, which is not the worst outcome. Unlike Johnny, who struggled to accept his loss against Daniel in the firstKarate Kidmovie,Robby realizes that he must cherish all the lessons and opportunities karate has given him instead of focusing on his loss.
Sekai Taikai Tournament
Second Runner-Up
While Johnny feels proud that his son is handling his loss better than he ever could, Robby seems to understand that, afterCobra Kaiseason 2’s school fight, his story could have been significantly different. He feels grateful that karate helped him find a sense of purpose and discipline and gave him a solid support system even during his darkest days. With this, instead of letting history repeat itself and walking down the same path as his father, Robby holds on to his honor even after his defeat and does not let one loss define his future.
If Johnny Lawrence had treated Robby like John Kreese had treated him when he had lost against Daniel, Robby would not have had such a positive outlook toward karate and what it helped him achieve.
Both Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso deserve credit for never making their students feel bad about their losses. If Johnny Lawrence had treated Robby like John Kreese had treated him when he had lost against Daniel, Robby would not have had such a positive outlook toward karate and what it helped him achieve. Robby, too, realizes this, explaining why he tells Johnny that, more than anything else, karate has given him his dad.
Robby Never Won A Tournament In Cobra Kai (But Karate Changed His Life)
He Learned One Profound Mr. Miyagi Lesson
Robby is the only malecharacter inCobra Kaiwho has made it to the All-Valley tournament’s finals twice in a row. However, despite this, he has no tournament wins under his belt. While he lost his All-Valley debut against Miguel in the finals, a lapse in attention led to his second All-Valley defeat against Hawk in 2019. Even in the Sekai Taikai, the win was within his arm’s reach. Unfortunately, as fate would have it, Robby’s journey to victory was again cut short.
Cobra Kai
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.
