Why Kenny May Be Cobra Kai’s Star Student In Season 5

Played by Dallas Dupree Young, Kenny Payne could very well rise to the role of Terry Silver’s star student in Cobra Kai season 5. Despite being a recent addition to the Cobra Kai dojo, Kenny has the potential to climb high in the Netflix series. There’s a chance that his fellow students will be relying on him more than anyone else when the show returns.

Since Kreese’s takeover of Cobra Kai, it’s been understood that the dojo’s greatest weapon is Robby Keene (Tanner Buchanan). As someone who was able to defeat most of Kreese’s students with ease, it was quite clear to the characters that Robby was their best chance of winning the All Valley Karate Tournament, as demonstrated by his ability to advance to the final round against Hawk (Jacob Bertrand). Also worth mentioning is Tory Nichols (Peyton List), who is a  highly formidable fighter as in her own right. Their fights throughout the last two seasons have proven that Robby and Tory are without question Cobra Kai’s best students.

Cobra Kai season 4’s ending laid the groundwork for some major changes at the dojo. Kreese being ousted from Cobra Kai, Robby reconciling with Johnny (William Zabka), and Tory discovering Silver’s scheme could all be steps toward Kenny becoming the dojo’s new champion. Robby, who has no loyalty to Kreese or Silver, will have no reason to remain with Cobra Kai if he repairs his relationship with his father. As for Tory, knowing that Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith) cheated to ensure her victory could drive her out of the dojo for good. Silver is unlikely to convince her to stay, especially since it was Kreese that she truly respected. If both Robby and Tory leave Cobra Kai, Silver will need a different student to serve as his star pupil.

Kyler (Joe Seo) has the viciousness to be a candidate, but Cobra Kai has provided no indication that it intends to elevate him to such an important role. One character that the show has put a tremendous amount of attention on is Kenny, who had his own storyline in Cobra Kai season 4. Looking at how much the story has built up his character and his abilities as a fighter, there is a sense that the series is indeed positioning him to be Cobra Kai’s main student in season 5. Plus, he seems to have Silver’s respect. The character expressed confidence in Kenny during his fights.

Since Silver may not be able to hold on to Tory and Robby after the tournament, it makes sense that the dojo will move on from them in Cobra Kai season 5 and look to Kenny in the future. Under Silver’s tutelage, Kenny can continue his transformation into a ruthless and unforgiving combatant. With someone like Silver influencing him, Kenny could go down the dark and violent path that Daniel avoided in The Karate Kid Part III.

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