You know what, it seems someone else is having the same problem as I am. Hey let me join you. I need help also. Thank God I am not alone.
As for Motaro, I have tried to perform combos, but I think it's because you have to be pretty fast. This only increases the chance that you will mess up on a combo you can perform easily during previous rounds. With Motaro, you kind of have to think one step ahead, and really take a look at his patterns. Of course, when a round starts, Motaro tends to do a Tail Whip that will trip you. I conquered this by using Kitana, and her Teleport Fly. If this works, you should be able to not only dodge an attack, but lay a good hit on him. As for speed, use Scorpion or anyone that can teleport. Of course, this also has it's drawbacks. If you teleport, you actually end up closer to Motaro, and you end up getting hit. Another suggestion would be to flip towards him, and start a kick combo (jump kick, then lead into your kick combo). But I am pretty sure anyone can use anybody, just as long as they practice.
As for Shao Kahn, simple. Play defensively early. Shao Kahn tends to do a Flying Knee Kick early to throw you off. Instead, quickly hit down, wait, and then uppercut. Now here is the problem. You mentioned that you couldn't do the little uppercut trick. Instead, try out a couple of combos. Sort of like running up and doing a combo, but here your actually doing damage bit by bit. This takes a lot of timing. Both versions of Smoke, Scorpion and both versions of Sub-Zero can get you started. For Sub-Zeros, freeze, run up, then uppercut. Wait until he gets down, then freeze him again. Now I do know that this will take a lot of timing and practice, because you have to remember when exactly to freeze him, or else he will throw a beam blast at you. Freeze him at the right time, and it will work. Trust me.
Scorpion and both versions of Smoke have a claw, or leech grab. Before the match starts, do as I said earlier. Just duck down and play defensively. When Shao Kahn does the Flying Knee Kick, uppercut. Now run up, do either 2 or 3 low punches, and throw your claw or leech grab, and perform a combo. The more low punches you pull off, the more he will reel backwards trying to regain his balance. This is a prime opportunity to perform the leech or claw grabs.
As for anything else, well that is all I know. I hope this helps. I also need help so if you happen to have any suggestions, I am welcomed to them. All these above are what I usually do.
