Apparently, the villain is someone who Liu Kang could have never anticipated, which suggests to me its someome known to Liu Kang already who he wouldnt expect as an enemy.

I doubt it will be Shang Tsung. That would be the most anticipated villain of this game..not to mention, we literally see Shang Tsing get torn apart in the trailer already, so that tells me he maybe just sets the plot in motion.

So i have a feeling its someone completely out of pocket, but nobody knew, and someone likely who was trusted prior.

Here are my theories:

1: Taven.

I could see it being revealed that Taven did actually ascend to Argus's godhood in Armageddon, and has been in the background ever since. Now seeing Fire God Lius Kang vhange the Timeline, he's off to set the record straight.

This to me makes sense because we know Taven has some time control piwers. We know he's a god. The whole plot of MK Armageddon wa shim becoming the new Argus. We know he never takes the power of Blaze, but maybe he still becomes the new Argus.

2: Shujenko.

We know even in the new timeline, he plays a role in training liu kang. Maybe he is somehow bow turing against him. Maybe he's using the komidogu to tear the reality apart.

3: Hanzo Hasashi

This is a stretch, but why not?

4: the Great Kung Lao

Again, a stretch, but i still want to believe this seen at the end of mk 11 meant something.

People i dont suspect:

Shang tsung. Feels tol obvious

Quan Chi. I dont think he'd be a dlc kf he was the big bad.

Onaga: pretty much any of the past big bads would be a bit obvious.

Shao Kahn: again it would be obvious

What are your thoughts?