Kung Lao/Current Timeline

"For the Shaolin!"

- Kung Lao's Mortal Kombat (2011) battle cry

Biography
''"Kung Lao's ancestor was defeated by Goro 500 years ago in the pivotal match that saw Shang Tsung attain control of the Mortal Kombat tournament. To him this contest is about more than Earthrealm's freedom. His life's goal has been to slay Goro and win the tournament, thus restoring his family's honor. After being defeated by Liu Kang in a qualifying bout, he disguised himself as one of Shang Tsung's guards to gain admittance. Kung Lao believes he is ready for the challenge. The time to avenge his ancestor is at hand." ''

Storyline
Believing that he was Liu Kang's equal, Kung Lao entered the first tournament disguised as a guard, even though he knew the Shaolin had chosen Liu Kang. He remained hidden until the introduction of Scorpion in one of the tournament matches, at which time Raiden received a vision which told him of the masked guard's true identity. While Shang Tsung asked the crowd of combatants who wished to challenge Scorpion, Raiden approached Kung Lao and told him that the Shaolin had already chosen Liu Kang and, furthermore, that he was not Liu Kang's equal. Determined to prove Raiden otherwise, Kung Lao discarded his disguise and challenged Scorpion, surprising Liu Kang and seemingly upsetting Shang Tsung.

Kung Lao was defeated and for the remainder of the tournament, forced to watch and give his support to Liu Kang. After Liu Kang's victory over Shang Tsung and winning the tournament, Kung Lao joined Sonya Blade, Jax and Johnny Cage to watch Liu Kang being awarded for his victory at a ceremony held at the Wu Shi Academy. The celebration was short-lived as a revitalized Shang Tsung came to the Wu Shi Academy later that night to propose to Raiden a tournament that would be held in Outworld. Raiden rejected Shang Tsung's proposal which caused Shang Tsung to summon a Tarkatan horde which destroyed the Wu Shi Academy and kidnapped Sonya Blade. After defeating the Tarkatan horde, Raiden received a vision of Liu Kang defeating Shao Kahn at the Outworld Tournament. Raiden accepted the tournament challenge but believes that he must change the outcome of this vision, in order to prevent Armageddon in the future.

Kung Lao and Liu Kang were sent by Raiden to free their Shaolin masters while Raiden, Cage and Jax went to meet Shao Kahn and Shang Tsung. Later on, Kung Lao and Liu Kang met up with Raiden, Cage and Smoke. They went to the wastelands where they are informed by Jade of Kitana's pending execution and that she is being held captive in the tower of Shao Kahn's Fortress. Kung Lao and Liu Kang then went to the Tower to rescue Kitana, leaving the others to go to the Coliseum to take part in the tournament. Unable to find Kitana at the Tower, Kung Lao and Liu Kang are confronted by Sheeva and Noob Saibot, who told them that Kitana had been relocated. Kung Lao fought and defeated Noob Saibot. After defeating Noob Saibot, Liu Kang and Sheeva were still engaged in combat, when Goro arrived, hungry for revenge against Liu Kang. Kung Lao challenged and defeated Goro. Kung Lao demanded Goro to tell them where Kitana was and Goro told them she is at the Coliseum. The Shaolin monks went to the Coliseum, where they see Kitana chained up.

Liu Kang goes to Kitana's aid, not willing to take part in the tournament due to Raiden thinking Liu Kang is not the one who is supposed to defeat Shao Kahn. With Smoke and Cage defeated in the tournament and Sonya and Jax no longer in Outworld, Raiden believes that Kung Lao may be the one to win the tournament and sends him to fight. Kung Lao went up against the combined might of Shang Tsung and Quan Chi and defeated them, fighting Kintaro afterwards. Hearing the boos of the crowd, he takes off his hat and gives a few bows, celebrating his victory until Shao Kahn kills him by snapping his neck from behind. He is later resurrected by Quan Chi along with the other fallen warriors, as his soul now belongs to the sorcerer as payment by Shao Kahn for the Netherrealm's allegiance. When Raiden went to Netherrealm for Quan Chi's assistance to defeat the Outworld invasion, Quan Chi sends Kung Lao along with others to kill him, but Raiden defeats them.