The Mortal Kombat Legacy episode leave a lot to be desired. For me anyway. And some episodes were worse than others.
The Johnny Cage episode for me was very weak. Yes playing on his time as a Kaman Rider/power Ranger was a good nod to what Matt Mullins has really done. But to make the Johnny Cage character a desperate has-been was just something I couldn't swallow. Then there was the agents that stole his idea(s) to give to a female action star. Yeah I'd be pissed off if I was a desperate has-been who has just been screwed over, but the character didn't show it in his tone of voice or intensity. He just seemed to just bully the security out of what seemed like a petty incident.
Not only did all that not sit well with me, but the inclusion of Shang Stung will always baffle me to this day as to why the Demon sorcerer would invite Earth "greatest" warriors to fight against his own Outworld warriors? I thought it was the Thunder God's choice to pick who he would like to compete? But anyway. It was a weak episode for one of the franchises' top characters.
So...
This is how I would have done Johnny Cage's episode/story that would have kept him the Hollywood superstar and still kept his vein personality intact with something that would look a little more mainstream to the viewer.
My grammar is a little off but I hope you understand what I'm trying to get across. So please leave a comment after you read my version and tell me what you think?
Thanks!
WARNING: Contains adult language.
Caged For Kombat
At a major MMA competition, a big turnout to see the main event of the evening.
Tyler "The Stampede" Samson vs the champion, Brian "The Crisis" Burns.
The arena is packed out with celebrities and other famous people. Then the camera sweeps sharp to; "Johnny Cage is here in the arena!!" the tv announcer says as he gets excited as he is a big JC fan. We see Brian Burns shake his head and mutter to himself, "fucking fake...Knock is damn head off his shoulders...". Cage is making his way to his seat with his trademark shade on, nice suit, sexy girls on each arm and with a massive smiley grin on his face. The crowd loving his appearance with all cameras on him rather than the fighters in the cage. We can see the utter frustration from Burns as he mutters to himself, "fuck him up... fuck him up... fuck him up..." as he holds his guard up while looking at his opponent, Tyler. Cage sits down and someone with a microphone comes up and asks him about his new movie and who he wants to win the main event. Cage says, "It's a brilliant movie with excellent fight scenes to an outstanding story". We hear, "CAGE!!!" Burns looking at Johnny from the cage. "YOUR NOTHING CAGE... COME IN HERE AND I'LL SHOW YOU HOW TO FIGHT... YOU 'FAKE'...!". Cage Just laugh at him. The owner of the MMA brand is sitting with some of his friends and says to them, "I hate that Cage guy man... If I could stick him in the cage to see his head get ripped off I'd be a happy man". Cameras are now on the start of the fight.
Ref starts the fight. Both fighters rush forward. Tyler throws punches that Burns ducks then weaves and then "BAM". A super right hook coming up from the weave just KO's Tyler. Burns is in a rage. The crowd are kind of disappointed that the fight didn't deliver. Johnny Cage seems frustrated that he sat down for nothing. His focus seems to be fixated on the cage. No smile. More like as if he wants to just get in there. Burns is still in there. He then jumps to sit on top of the cage and shouts out to Cage, "COME ON BITCH... COME OOON!!". The owner quickly runs in the cage with microphone in hand. "YO HOLD ON BURNS...". "What a punch to end the night ladies & gentleman...". "I just like to sa..." Burns snatches the mic and calls Cage out. saying he is no fighter. He is a fake and a disgrace to martial arts. Cage looks intense as he stands up and takes off the shades. Burns drops the mic and opens his arm while shouting, "Come on bitch!". The owner picks up the mic with a worried laugh and says he don't want any law suits involved for my fighter tearing the head off of an "actor" (laughs from some of the crowd). Cage starts to walk down and the crowd goes a little wild and some with a little anticipation.
Cage takes the mic off the person who spoke to him earlier and says, "Well... As the night was cut short, maybe we can arrange something... Right now!". The owner looking stunned a little says, "I don't want my business ruined by lawyers because you end up a vegetable after my fighter fucks you up!". Cage looks around the crowd. They seem to have that anticipation look while cheering him to get in. Some cheering to get his head knocked off. Cage then says over the mic, "there will be no law suit, no lawyers, no fake moves, no problems...". His agents try to stop him saying he has a movie shoot tomorrow for "Hell's Fury" and can't do this, for if he does he'll loss his contract. Cage don't listen and starts walking up the steps to the cage. Someone hands Cage a pear of MMA mitts. He starts taking off his jacket, shirt, shoes and socks and puts on the mitts. The crowd are going nuts, the cameras are all on the cage. The owner tells Burns to "rip his fucking head off". He then walks out. Burns is hyper. Cage stands looking kind of calm but ready. The intensity around the arena is immense. The Bell rings and the fight is on!
Burns rushes in, trying to knock Cage's head off with every strike but Cage is using his speed to move out the way. Ducking and weaving. Burns get frustrated and switches to grappling. He grabs Cage and starts to throw knees. Cage blocks well but the impact is enough to make Cage feel it. Cage gets out by simply drop-rolling onto his back and flicking backwards onto his feet. Cage stands and says to Burns, "come on bitch!". Burns is raw with rage, he jumps in with a superman punch that Cage rolls away to avoid. Burns then just start throwing lefts and rights but nothing is connecting. The crowd is ecstatic. The owner is shouting with anger to Burns, "kill this mother fucker!". Cage throws his first attack Which Burns counters and get's Cage in a headlock and squeezes on his neck. Cage forces his head out of the lock but is a little dazed, which allows Burns time and plants a near KO punch on Cage that sends him flipping in mid-air.
Cage hits the floor dazed but not out, the owner stands on the apron of the cage and orders the referee to not end the fight till Cage is punished or he'll lose his job. The ref tells the fighters to continue. Burns picks up Cage by the head and starts pounding away at his body while Cage trying to cover up. Burns switching to attacking the head of Cage which Cage is aware enough to cover up more. Burns then lands a hard roundhouse to the body of Cage that again sends him to the ground. At this point, his agents shake their heads and leave the arena. Fans of JC have a concerned look on their faces while the haters are loving every minute, especially the owner. The ref looks over to the owner but the owner shouts out, "Don't you dare end it, man!"... Burns feels he has had enough of this and grabs Cage in a standing sleeper. The owner shouting, "Choke that bitch out!", Cage looks like he is fading, he starts to peel away at Burns' arms. He can't. Burns is too strong. So Cage switches to multiple back elbows to the body of Burns that makes him release the hold. Cage recovers fast and stands calm looking at Burns. He has a smile on his face. Burns looks bemused as to why he is smiling. Then Cage says, "Your chance is over, man... Time for me to kick your ass!". Burns is tearful with ultra-rage.
Burns runs in and Cage start throwing quick kicks to Burn's head and body while moving around him. Switching to kicking the legs, then head, body, head, legs, body, head, all with technique, accuracy and a little power. He is showcasing his skill and ability. Burns swings out a wild hook but Cage ducks and does a masterful backflip kick to the chin that nearly launches Burns. Burns swings a hook the other way and Cage ducks that one and does a beautiful butterfly twist kick to the head of Burns that send him crashing into the cage wall in front of the owner who shouts at him, "what are you doing... Kill him!!!". Burns turns towards Cage who is standing proud and ready. He say's, "You give up yet?". Burns again lets his rage get the better of him. As he starts to bull rush Cage.
In slow motion ,we see a close up of Cages legs. A faint Green aura circulating. Some in the crowd can see this and are looking puzzled. The cameras pick up on this. Cage Steps forward with a turn and then releases a back-kick that propels Cage forward leaving the faint green aura trailing. The "shadow kick" as Cage likes to call, connects to the big body of burns. The power of the kick sends Burns flying through the wall of the cage and crashing into the owner. Burns is KO'd. There is shock on the faces of the crowd but then the cheering builds up with applause and chants of "Johnny Cage... Johnny Cage...". Cage looking round at the crowd, holds down his excitement for a while before it then bursts out with fist pumps and back flips with that cocky persona. The crowd go a little quiet suddenly as Burns is standing back in the cage all wobbly and holding a steal chair. Burns runs toward him with the chair held up with both hand ready to drill down on top of JC's head. Cage skips forward, drops down into the splits and uppercuts Burns in the balls. The crowd all go "OOOOoooo...." Burns' face is all twisted up in pain as his knees knock together. Cage looks into the eyes of Burns as he says, "You just got Caged!" Before Burns collapse' like a falling tree. Cage has his arms out wide as the crowd chant his name.
We cut to Cage alone in a slightly dark changing room. Looking in the mirror at himself. He seems kind of disappointed with himself as he washes his face with cold water. A voice says, nice unique skills you have". Cage don't move and just says, "if you want an autograph, wait in line buddy like the rest of the world". The voice then replies, "Rest of the world ay?. "What if there is no world with Cage fans to feed your ego?". Cage turns around with a little anger and grabs the person in the shadows by the clothing. We don't see who it is, but then we see a built up of a bright light from where Cage is grabbing and then starts to get an electric shock. It builds and builds till Cage can't take it, he lets go and jumps backwards. The bright light eliminates the slightly dark room to reveal a man surrounding himself in lightning wearing a Chinese bamboo hat and holding a staff. Cage is looking at this person with shock. "You have been chosen Johnny Cage... The World needs you more than you like to believe... I will come for you near the time." say's this mysterious man. "Time for what?" Cage says. The man replies, "Possibly the world last fight". Cage looks bewildered. The man starts to walk away. "Wait... Who are you...?" says Cage. The man turns his head and says, "I am Raiden...". Raiden then just disappears in a flash of light. Cage just standing with amazement. He then flips out a set of shade, slips them on and say's "Well... Shit."
End.
At a major MMA competition, a big turnout to see the main event of the evening.
Tyler "The Stampede" Samson vs the champion, Brian "The Crisis" Burns.
The arena is packed out with celebrities and other famous people. Then the camera sweeps sharp to; "Johnny Cage is here in the arena!!" the tv announcer says as he gets excited as he is a big JC fan. We see Brian Burns shake his head and mutter to himself, "fucking fake...Knock is damn head off his shoulders...". Cage is making his way to his seat with his trademark shade on, nice suit, sexy girls on each arm and with a massive smiley grin on his face. The crowd loving his appearance with all cameras on him rather than the fighters in the cage. We can see the utter frustration from Burns as he mutters to himself, "fuck him up... fuck him up... fuck him up..." as he holds his guard up while looking at his opponent, Tyler. Cage sits down and someone with a microphone comes up and asks him about his new movie and who he wants to win the main event. Cage says, "It's a brilliant movie with excellent fight scenes to an outstanding story". We hear, "CAGE!!!" Burns looking at Johnny from the cage. "YOUR NOTHING CAGE... COME IN HERE AND I'LL SHOW YOU HOW TO FIGHT... YOU 'FAKE'...!". Cage Just laugh at him. The owner of the MMA brand is sitting with some of his friends and says to them, "I hate that Cage guy man... If I could stick him in the cage to see his head get ripped off I'd be a happy man". Cameras are now on the start of the fight.
Ref starts the fight. Both fighters rush forward. Tyler throws punches that Burns ducks then weaves and then "BAM". A super right hook coming up from the weave just KO's Tyler. Burns is in a rage. The crowd are kind of disappointed that the fight didn't deliver. Johnny Cage seems frustrated that he sat down for nothing. His focus seems to be fixated on the cage. No smile. More like as if he wants to just get in there. Burns is still in there. He then jumps to sit on top of the cage and shouts out to Cage, "COME ON BITCH... COME OOON!!". The owner quickly runs in the cage with microphone in hand. "YO HOLD ON BURNS...". "What a punch to end the night ladies & gentleman...". "I just like to sa..." Burns snatches the mic and calls Cage out. saying he is no fighter. He is a fake and a disgrace to martial arts. Cage looks intense as he stands up and takes off the shades. Burns drops the mic and opens his arm while shouting, "Come on bitch!". The owner picks up the mic with a worried laugh and says he don't want any law suits involved for my fighter tearing the head off of an "actor" (laughs from some of the crowd). Cage starts to walk down and the crowd goes a little wild and some with a little anticipation.
Cage takes the mic off the person who spoke to him earlier and says, "Well... As the night was cut short, maybe we can arrange something... Right now!". The owner looking stunned a little says, "I don't want my business ruined by lawyers because you end up a vegetable after my fighter fucks you up!". Cage looks around the crowd. They seem to have that anticipation look while cheering him to get in. Some cheering to get his head knocked off. Cage then says over the mic, "there will be no law suit, no lawyers, no fake moves, no problems...". His agents try to stop him saying he has a movie shoot tomorrow for "Hell's Fury" and can't do this, for if he does he'll loss his contract. Cage don't listen and starts walking up the steps to the cage. Someone hands Cage a pear of MMA mitts. He starts taking off his jacket, shirt, shoes and socks and puts on the mitts. The crowd are going nuts, the cameras are all on the cage. The owner tells Burns to "rip his fucking head off". He then walks out. Burns is hyper. Cage stands looking kind of calm but ready. The intensity around the arena is immense. The Bell rings and the fight is on!
Burns rushes in, trying to knock Cage's head off with every strike but Cage is using his speed to move out the way. Ducking and weaving. Burns get frustrated and switches to grappling. He grabs Cage and starts to throw knees. Cage blocks well but the impact is enough to make Cage feel it. Cage gets out by simply drop-rolling onto his back and flicking backwards onto his feet. Cage stands and says to Burns, "come on bitch!". Burns is raw with rage, he jumps in with a superman punch that Cage rolls away to avoid. Burns then just start throwing lefts and rights but nothing is connecting. The crowd is ecstatic. The owner is shouting with anger to Burns, "kill this mother fucker!". Cage throws his first attack Which Burns counters and get's Cage in a headlock and squeezes on his neck. Cage forces his head out of the lock but is a little dazed, which allows Burns time and plants a near KO punch on Cage that sends him flipping in mid-air.
Cage hits the floor dazed but not out, the owner stands on the apron of the cage and orders the referee to not end the fight till Cage is punished or he'll lose his job. The ref tells the fighters to continue. Burns picks up Cage by the head and starts pounding away at his body while Cage trying to cover up. Burns switching to attacking the head of Cage which Cage is aware enough to cover up more. Burns then lands a hard roundhouse to the body of Cage that again sends him to the ground. At this point, his agents shake their heads and leave the arena. Fans of JC have a concerned look on their faces while the haters are loving every minute, especially the owner. The ref looks over to the owner but the owner shouts out, "Don't you dare end it, man!"... Burns feels he has had enough of this and grabs Cage in a standing sleeper. The owner shouting, "Choke that bitch out!", Cage looks like he is fading, he starts to peel away at Burns' arms. He can't. Burns is too strong. So Cage switches to multiple back elbows to the body of Burns that makes him release the hold. Cage recovers fast and stands calm looking at Burns. He has a smile on his face. Burns looks bemused as to why he is smiling. Then Cage says, "Your chance is over, man... Time for me to kick your ass!". Burns is tearful with ultra-rage.
Burns runs in and Cage start throwing quick kicks to Burn's head and body while moving around him. Switching to kicking the legs, then head, body, head, legs, body, head, all with technique, accuracy and a little power. He is showcasing his skill and ability. Burns swings out a wild hook but Cage ducks and does a masterful backflip kick to the chin that nearly launches Burns. Burns swings a hook the other way and Cage ducks that one and does a beautiful butterfly twist kick to the head of Burns that send him crashing into the cage wall in front of the owner who shouts at him, "what are you doing... Kill him!!!". Burns turns towards Cage who is standing proud and ready. He say's, "You give up yet?". Burns again lets his rage get the better of him. As he starts to bull rush Cage.
In slow motion ,we see a close up of Cages legs. A faint Green aura circulating. Some in the crowd can see this and are looking puzzled. The cameras pick up on this. Cage Steps forward with a turn and then releases a back-kick that propels Cage forward leaving the faint green aura trailing. The "shadow kick" as Cage likes to call, connects to the big body of burns. The power of the kick sends Burns flying through the wall of the cage and crashing into the owner. Burns is KO'd. There is shock on the faces of the crowd but then the cheering builds up with applause and chants of "Johnny Cage... Johnny Cage...". Cage looking round at the crowd, holds down his excitement for a while before it then bursts out with fist pumps and back flips with that cocky persona. The crowd go a little quiet suddenly as Burns is standing back in the cage all wobbly and holding a steal chair. Burns runs toward him with the chair held up with both hand ready to drill down on top of JC's head. Cage skips forward, drops down into the splits and uppercuts Burns in the balls. The crowd all go "OOOOoooo...." Burns' face is all twisted up in pain as his knees knock together. Cage looks into the eyes of Burns as he says, "You just got Caged!" Before Burns collapse' like a falling tree. Cage has his arms out wide as the crowd chant his name.
We cut to Cage alone in a slightly dark changing room. Looking in the mirror at himself. He seems kind of disappointed with himself as he washes his face with cold water. A voice says, nice unique skills you have". Cage don't move and just says, "if you want an autograph, wait in line buddy like the rest of the world". The voice then replies, "Rest of the world ay?. "What if there is no world with Cage fans to feed your ego?". Cage turns around with a little anger and grabs the person in the shadows by the clothing. We don't see who it is, but then we see a built up of a bright light from where Cage is grabbing and then starts to get an electric shock. It builds and builds till Cage can't take it, he lets go and jumps backwards. The bright light eliminates the slightly dark room to reveal a man surrounding himself in lightning wearing a Chinese bamboo hat and holding a staff. Cage is looking at this person with shock. "You have been chosen Johnny Cage... The World needs you more than you like to believe... I will come for you near the time." say's this mysterious man. "Time for what?" Cage says. The man replies, "Possibly the world last fight". Cage looks bewildered. The man starts to walk away. "Wait... Who are you...?" says Cage. The man turns his head and says, "I am Raiden...". Raiden then just disappears in a flash of light. Cage just standing with amazement. He then flips out a set of shade, slips them on and say's "Well... Shit."
End.
