Fighting games are one of the most beloved video game genres, especially during the 90s and early 2000s. The Mortal Kombat series is one of the agents behind that popularity. Even the gamers who haven't played a single Mortal Kombat game have at least heard of it and know its reputation.

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Mortal Kombat isn't only the name of the highly successful and massively popular fighting game franchise. It is also the name of the tournament that occurs in the game itself. The Mortal Kombat tournament is as interesting as it sounds. The story behind this competition is fascinating and complex, as are its rules and rewards. Here's what fans should understand about this epic contest.

8 The Elder Gods

Elder Gods cutscene in MK11

To fully understand the reasoning and existence behind the Mortal Kombat tournaments, one must first learn about the Elder Gods. These creators and deities rule over the Mortal Kombat universe. The Elder Gods are also the ones responsible for the creation of the tournament.

Prior to the Elder Gods, though, an entity existed known as the One Being. This deity fed on the essence of the Elder Gods. Unwilling to be fed on any longer, the Elder Gods waged war on the One Being, and shattered it into multiple fragments. These fragments would then become realms that make up the Mortal Kombat universe.

7 The Reason Behind The Tournament's Existence

mortal kombat tournament

At one point in history, one of the realms borne out of the One Being's fragments gained too much power. Eventually, it became possible for this realm, Outworld, to conquer and merge with the others easily. If Outworld managed to conquer and merge with the other realms, the One Being would be reborn.

To prevent this from happening, the Elder Gods created the Mortal Kombat tournament, which would occur once in every generation. With this in place, the only way for a realm to be allowed to conquer another is by winning ten consecutive tournaments.

6 The Fall Of Edenia

art of the grand palace in edenia.

The realm of Edenia is one of six main realms that exist in the Mortal Kombat universe. This beautiful and vibrant world is filled with lush greenery and teems with life. Naturally, it became a prime target for Outworld.

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Shao Khan, Outworld's Emperor, abided by the rules of the Elder Gods and held a series of tournaments competing against Edenia. Despite Edenia's best efforts, Shao Khan's warriors managed to win ten Mortal Kombat tournaments in a row, giving them the right to conquer the defeated realm.

5 The First Tournament In Earthrealm

Mortal Kombat Shang Tsung Facts

Years after successfully conquering Edenia, Shao Kahn set his sights on Earthrealm. He sent Shang Tsung, a powerful sorcerer, to host the tournament on Earthrealm. Shang Tsung would dominate the tournaments for the coming generations.

With his powerful sorcery and the ability to absorb souls, Shang Tsung would hold the title of Grand Master for nine consecutive tournaments, just one short of giving Outworld the right to conquer Earthrealm.

4 The First Earthrealm Grand Champion

great kung lao

Earthrealm was on the verge of Outworld's invasion. However, one champion managed to defeat Shang Tsung after the latter held the title for nine generations. This champion is the Great Kung Lao, the ancestor of future champions such as Kung Lao, Kung Jin, and Liu Kang.

After defeating Shang Tsung, Great Kung Lao chose to spare his enemy's life, a move no other Grand Master has ever chosen to do. This move of mercy, however, would come back to haunt him. In the next tournament, Shang Tsung's chosen warrior, Prince Goro, defeated and killed Earthrealm's first Grand Champion.

3 The Rise Of Liu Kang

Liu Kang's promo image in mortal kombat 11

Like his master before him, Prince Goro held the title of Grand Master for nine consecutive tournaments. Earthrealm, once again, was on the verge of being conquered by Outworld. However, as if history was repeating itself, an Earthrealm champion would again defeated the Outworld fighter. This champion is the hero Liu Kang — a descendant of the Great Kung Lao.

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After the defeat of Goro, Shang Tsung himself challenges Liu Kang, but also falls at the hands of the new Grand Champion. As a result, Shang Tsung is forced to retreat back to Outworld.

2 How A Champion Is Chosen

Raiden in the Mortal Kombat movie

In the games and in the first Mortal Kombat movie, the realm's ruler or protector must hand-pick their champion. Only the best fighters may represent their respective realms. In Earthrealm's case, Raiden who chooses the individuals to defend the Earth.

In the 2021 Mortal Kombat movie, however, the process is different. Only those who have the mark of the dragon are allowed to participate in the tournament. Those who bear the mark also gain the ability to unlock their Arcana.

1 A Victor Is Granted Immortality

Shao Kahn Emperor - Mortal Kombat Shao Kahn Trivia

Aside from earning the right to eventually conquer another realm, there is another perk that comes with winning a Mortal Kombat tournament. Those who become Grand Champions of the tournament receive the powers of immortality. This lasts until the next tournament arrives.

This ensures that the Grand Champion is capable enough to fight once again in the next tournament. They may even compete in multiple tournaments consecutively, which are held generations apart.

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