Although aired fifth, this episode was filmed first. This is why Topanga does not appear so soon after her debut in Cory's Alternative Friends (1993). She didn't exist as a character yet.
Minkus paraphrases a quote from the Godfather Part III (Every time I think I'm out, they pull me back in).
Coincidentally the Philadelphia Phillies, Cory's favorite team, really did play in the 1993 World Series. They won the Pennant on October 13, 1993 - 9 days before the episode aired.
Minkus says he prefers Connie Chung to Cindy Crawford, comparing a 90s news anchor/journalist to a 90s supermodel.