Iron Will's dissertation takes place in the center of a hedge-maze, a reference to the Labyrinth of Greek myth, which held the Minotaur, a half-man half-bull creature, at its center.
Some of the music that plays during Iron Will's assertiveness demonstration borrows directly from the "Eye of the Tiger" music by Survivor.
Iron Will's character appears to be inspired by actor Lawrence Tureaud, aka Mr. T, and other characters of the "Macho Man" archetype. The inspiration extends to the former using the latter's famous "I pity the fool" catchphrase.
When Iron Will states that he wants to hear the audience, he makes a hand gesture to his ear similar to that of one of wrestling legend, Hulk Hogan's signature taunts.
At 16:25 into the episode, there is an homage to "The Lonely Man", the opening and credits theme from the CBS television series The Incredible Hulk (1978). This music was written by Joseph Harnell.