The introduction scene utilizes unused footage from The Karate Kid (1984). The close-up shots of Johnny getting kicked in the face and falling to the ground are part of alternate footage not utilized in the original film.
Johnny confirms the long standing argument that Daniel beat him in the All Valley tournament with an illegal kick to the face.
When Johnny is fighting the punks outside the convenience store, he says to the last guy he grabs by the throat "What's the matter? Having trouble breathing?". Mike Barnes said this same line to Daniel in their All Valley match in The Karate Kid Part III (1989).
Johnny watches on the television a clip of the movie Iron Eagle (1986), in which actor Larry B. Scott had a role. Larry B. Scott was also in the original The Karate Kid (1984) as Cobra Kai member, Jerry.
Johnny exits LaRusso's dealership parking lot dropping the bonsai tree, then offers to teach Miguel karate. The instrumental song "Sirius" by Alan Parsons Project plays on the soundtrack connecting the two scenes. Miguel Diaz is played by Xolo Mariduena, whose first name in the Nahuatl (Aztec) language means "Dog Star", a nickname for the star Sirius.