Many millennia ago, the Earth was a young and desirable planet. Powerful
and rich with natural resources, the vicious megalomaniac, Shao Khan wanted Earth as part of his growing collection of conquered
realms known as Outworld. To protect the Earth (a.k.a. Earthrealm) from Shao Kahn, Mortal Kombat a tournament, in which the
fate of the planet is decided in battles between competitors from Earthrealm and Outworld, was created. Five-hundred years
in the past, the monk warrior, Kung Lao defeated Kahn's demon sorcerer, Shang Tsung in Mortal Kombat. When Kung Lao spared
his life, Kahn imprisoned Tsung in the cobalt mines.
Kung Lao now had to train the next generation of warriors, who would give their
lives to save the Earth. Kung Lao creates a partnership and friendship with two warriors Siro, a former bodyguard and Taja,
an ex-thief. In the dark and mysterious city of Zhu Zin, Kung Lao and his new friends are guided and watched over by the thunder god, Raiden. The
three now battle various evils of both Outworld and Earthrealm, including an imprisoned Tsung, who swore eternal revenge on
Kung Lao for his humiliating defeat and his ally; the sultry and seductive Vorpax who is also imprisoned in the cobalt mines
and has an agenda of her own.
While other characters from the first Mortal Kombat until Mortal Kombat
Trilogy are featured or mentioned in the Mortal Kombat movies and the cartoon Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm, Kung
Lao was only featured in Conquest.
In the episode Debt of the Dragon, the Black Dragon organization is featured.
The episode The Master features a character named Master Cho. It is rumored
that he is the prototype of Bo' Rai Cho.
The episode Unholy Alliance features an alliance between Shang Tsung and
Quan Chi, which is the premise for Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance.
Guest stars Angelica Bridges,
Sung Hi Lee, Dana Hee, Jamie Pressly, Renee Tenison, Kathleen Kinmont, Candace Miller and Suzanne Stokes all posed nude for
the adult magazine, Playboy. Another guest star, Eva Mendes, was also featured doing an interview in one issue.
The show was very popular, but according to the show's developer Joshua
Wexler, because it ran on the cable network TNT, as well as syndication, the costs for the show were higher than anticipated.
The cancellation wasn't announced at first and rumors of a second season circulated. However, TNT pulled the plug on the show
leaving it with a cliffhanger ending.
Warrior Eternal (TV Movie)
Reluctant warrior Kung Lao has defeated Shang Tsung in Mortal Kombat and
become tournament champion. Following his victory, Rayden tells Kung Lao it is his duty now to train warriors for future tournaments.
But will Kung Lao follow his destiny or marry the woman he loves? Siro warns
Jen that something is wrong with her new guard, Takeda. But he is unaware Shang Tsung sent Scorpion to possess Takeda and
eliminate Kung Lao, who has been sentenced by the Baron to die. Rayden convinces Siro and Taja to help.
Cold Reality
Kung Lao, Taja and Siro must stop Shang Tsung and Lin Kuei assassin, Sub-Zero,
from acquiring a magic crystal.
Immortal Kombat
After the mysterious death of a monk, Kung Lao learns Shang Tsung sent
Vorpax to poison his water sack with an aging potion. But Taja and Siro have already drinked the rest of the potion and are
beginning to grow older and older.
The Essence
First aired: 10/31/1998
The Essence of Edenia, long thought destroyed, has been secretly moved
to Earth Realm. Kung Lao meets Princess Kitana, who convinces him to save the last hope of the Edenian people.
Noob Saibot
Siro and Taja meet a seer named Kiri, who tells them of an underworld
city with a shrine guarded by two powerful warriors. Kiri says they will grow stronger if they defeat these warriors, but
she really hopes they will release Noob Saibot to kill Kung Lao.
Debt of the Dragon
The Black Dragon, an infamous underworld organization, have appeared in
Zhu Zin. They claim ownership of the trading post and demand Kung Lao, Siro and Taja leave. While they resist the Black Dragon,
a member named Jola makes a deal with Shang Tsung for power and revenge.
Undying Dream
Taja is pulled into a portal and arrives in the Cobalt Mines, captured
by Shang Tsung. Kung Lao and Siro have to save her, even if it means walking into a trap.
Quan Chi
Quan Chi sends a trio of women to infect Kung Lao, Taja and Siro with
a potion. The potion enlargens their flaws: Kung Lao's temper, Siro becomes a drunk and Taja is a thief again. With the three
getting out of control, Rayden has to find a way to break this spell before it's too late.
Unholy Alliance
Shang Tsung forms an unlikely alliance with Quan Chi to defeat Kung Lao.
They lure Kung Lao into a realm with everything he could possibly want. But it's all an elaborate trap for Shang Tsung to
capture him and leave the Earth Realm defenseless.
Thicker Than Blood
An old love from Siro's past, Hannah, turns up in Zhu Zin in search of
his help. Hannah reveals she married Siro's estranged brother, Cassar, who has gone missing. Siro is reluctant to help until
he learns Scorpion used magic to make Cassar one of his warriors.
Shadow of a Doubt
Kung Lao is badly wounded in a fight with Rain. With him practically defenseless,
Shao Kahn sends Mileena to masquerade as Princess Kitana and finish off the weakened Kung Lao.
Twisted Truth
A warrior named Tomas arrives, saying he wants to join Kung Lao in defending
Earth Realm. All seems well until it looks like Tomas has murdered some barmaids. Has he? Or is there something bigger going
on?
The Festival of Death
A traveling circus arrives in Zhu Zin with Qali among it. Kung Lao, Taja
and Siro suspect something is wrong and they're right. The circus turns out to be a way for Quan Chi to raise an army.
The Serpent and the Ice
Shao Kahn partners two bitter enemies, Sub-Zero and Scorpion, to destroy
Kung Lao.
Kreeya
Empress Kreeya arrives on Earth Realm to build up an army. Her target:
Outworld. Vorpax, revealed to be working for Kreeya, invites Kung Lao, Taja and Siro to join them.
The Master
Long ago, Master Cho was betrayed by Shang Tsung so he could fight for
Shao Kahn. Now, Shang Tsung loose on Earth Realm, Master Cho intends to settle the score.
In Kold Blood
Kreeya has returned and is now teamed up with Reptile.
Flawed Victory
Shao Kahn enlists Quan Chi to find the missing Shang Tsung and return
him to the Cobalt Mines.
Balance of Power
Shao Kahn continues his search for the traitor. Meanwhile, as Kreeya's
forces are losing the war with Outworld, Vorpax seeks the help of the Earth Warriors to kill Kreeya.
Stolen Lies
Kung Lao is haunted by visions of Earth realm's annihilation. Meanwhile,
Siro catches a thief in the trading post and it turns out to be Taja's old friend, Dion.
Vengeance
Rayden meets in between realms with Shao Kahn, who says he will be defeated.
Kung Lao, meanwhile, is looking for Rayden when he runs into Kitana. She warns Shao Kahn is planning to attack. Many of the
other enemies of Earth Realm appear as well with plans of their own.
