Great Kung Lao

The Great Kung Lao is a character occasionally referenced on the Wiki, especially in the game series of Mortal Kombat. He is the ancestor (great grandfather) of the present-day Kung Lao, and Kung Jin.

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Being the first person on Earth to represent the Forces of Light in Mortal Kombat Tournament, he would battle with the evil shapeshifter and sorcerer Shang Tsung 50 years before Liu Kang would do the same.

Despite Tsung having the advantage of winning nine consecutive Mortal Kombat tournaments, Kung Lao defeated him and became Grand Champion, saving Earth in the process. While it is common for the victor to take his opponent's life, Kung spared the sorcerer out of mercy.

30 years later, Tsung, now the old man that was spared decades before, had once again shot the tournament. This time Kung was defeated by Goro, the Shokan prince. Afterwards, his soul was taken by Shang, an event that would lead up to the events of the Mortal Kombat event of 1992.

In Mortal Kombat: Return of The Dragon King, his soul was freed after Shang Tsung was killed by Raiden's failed attempt to destroy the Dragon King, finally giving his soul peace after over half a century of torment.

Kung Lao's ending in Mortal Kombat 9 states that he is the reincarnation of the Great Kung Lao. He learns this after touching his ancestor's tombstone and being filled with his memories. He was reincarnated so that he could avenge his failings, but because this has never been proven at all and was just said by Raiden so he could feed his ego, the tombstone didn't do sith and he is not his great granddaddy's reincarnation.

Powers and abilities
A master of martial arts and first from the Forces of Light, Kung's fighting prowess was unmatched by Earth's inhabitants, but was matched by Outworld's.