How did you feel about the two of them knowing each other and being friends?

I did find it interesting, and it opened some doors, storywise. I'd like to know if Stryker knew Kabal used to be Black Dragon. Did he know and did he help Kabal cover it up so he could join the force?

I think it was a wasted opportunity to not show Stryker's reaction to Kabal being alive and burnt in MK9's story mode.

The only potential problem I see with this friendship, is that Stryker could easily end up being treated as the sidekick, that NRS doesn't see as having much purpose without Kabal around. I even wonder if that's why he was paired with Kabal in the first place.