Warning: SPOILERS for Cobra Kai season 3.
Cobra Kai season 3 didn't include the next All Valley Karate Tournament, and that's the biggest disappointment in the new episodes. The All Valley Tournament has been a key part of the Karate Kid franchise since the beginning. The first and third movies in the original trilogy saw Daniel LaRusso cheat to win and then defend his title at the tournament. When Cobra Kai continued the franchise decades later, the climax of the first season was centered around the All Valley Tournament once again.
While season 2 of Cobra Kai came and went without the next All Valley Tournament, it appeared that it would return in season 3. The upcoming tournament continued to remind viewers that it was coming up, as it was at the forefront of the characters' minds. Once Miguel Diaz wakes up from his coma, one of the reasons he wants to get back to full strength is so he can defend his title. There is even a quick exchange between him and Hawk about having to fight for it. The upcoming tournament is also why John Kreese recruits new and better fighters for Cobra Kai's ranks. The importance of the All Valley tournament continued with Cobra Kai season 3, dedicating almost an entire episode to saving it from being canceled.
Despite all of this talk about the All Valley Tournament in Cobra Kai season 3, it does not happen. That is quite disappointing after Cobra Kai seemed to be building to it. The All Valley Tournament is a staple of the franchise and its absence in season 3 marks consecutive seasons without it. Even though the Karate Kid movies managed to bypass the tournament in the sequel, it was brought back for The Karate Kid Part III. As the third chapter in the Cobra Kai story, it should've been brought back this season. The next tournament would've been the perfect place to show just how much changed since the last one. Without it, Cobra Kai continued to let its fighting spiral beyond any controlled environments.
Not only is the All Valley Tournament a staple of the franchise, but it provides some structure for the kids and the fights. Since there is no tournament in Cobra Kai season 3, the dojo wars got out of control. Cobra Kai and Miyagi-Do fought repeatedly throughout the season, and even after the outcome of the school brawl, all of these happen in public places. The final throwdown comes in the LaRusso household, leaving it completely trashed. This leaves the kids to decide when the fights are over, and they often don't make the right decisions. It leads to Cobra Kai season 3 being incredibly violent at times, and that has turned several viewers off so far.
Even though Cobra Kai season 3 didn't include the All Valley Tournament, it seems that it will be the basis for season 4's events. Miguel and Samantha LaRusso convinced the city to let the tournament happen, and the season ends with Miyagi-Do and Eagle Fang Karate uniting to train. Their combined strength will put them at odds with Cobra Kai, who now have Robby Keene among their ranks. And with the fate of the dojos on the line depending on who wins the All Valley Tournament, Cobra Kai should make it more important than ever before when it does return. It's just a shame that the tournament didn't come back in season 3.