Mortal Kombat 2 is back in the headlines but not always for the right reasons. Alongside legitimate updates, a wave of opportunistic AI-generated articles has flooded the internet, often paired with convincing fake images and spreading faster than a teleporting palette swapped ninja.

Fortunately, MKO's Tabmok99 and the Realm Kast have teamed up to investigate many of viral hoaxes and long-standing rumors, separating fact from fiction for the Mortal Kombat Kommunity.

Several rumors tied to the original Mortal Kombat continue to circulate, with some recently gaining traction again through AI-generated posts. Tabmok99's latest video compiles interviews, production insights, and firsthand accounts to determine which claims actually hold up.

One of the most widely shared claims suggests that Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa filmed a cameo for the upcoming sequel. However, this remains unconfirmed. According to Tabmok, no official announcements or contracts have surfaced, and comments from those close to Tagawa point to health concerns prior to his passing, making such a cameo highly unlikely.

Similarly, speculation that Christopher Lambert appears in early cuts of the sequel has no supporting evidence. Individuals who attended test screenings have verified that he does not appear in the version of the film they saw. Some AI-generated articles have gone even further, fabricating tribute quotes attributed to Lambert and Robin Shou regarding Tagawa's death.

Not all rumors are false, however. A long-circulating story that Tom Cruise was turned away from the set of Mortal Kombat (1995) is actually true. A 2015 Hollywood Reporter article confirms that Cruise attempted to visit the set but was denied access, according to actor Linden Ashby.

Another rumor that Christopher Lambert is an avid gamer also has some truth behind it. Footage exists of Lambert playing Mortal Kombat 3, and performing surprisingly well, lending credibility to the long-shared claim.

Other stories, however, fall apart under scrutiny. A persistent rumor about a deleted scene showing Art Lean being buried beneath a statue of Kung Lao appears to be inaccurate. While the film’s novelization references Art’s burial among fallen champions, it does not mention Kung Lao. Actor Sifu Kenneth Edwards has also stated he is unaware of any filmed version of such a scene.

Some of the more widely circulated claims have been definitively debunked. One example is the rumor that Tagawa reprised his role as Shang Tsung on Sabrina the Teenage Witch. In reality, his appearance on the show featured a different character—Tai Wai Sei—who was loosely inspired by his persona, not Shang Tsung himself.

Another viral post—one of the more insensitive examples—claims to show an image of Tagawa’s daughter holding Shang Tsung’s iconic jacket from the 1995 film. Investigation revealed that the image is AI-generated and does not depict his daughter. Additionally, the original costume has remained in studio possession since production and is now owned by a private Mortal Kombat collector.

The collaboration between Tabmok99 and Realm Kast highlights how a mix of old anecdotes and modern AI-generated content has increasingly blurred the line between fact and fiction within the Mortal Kombat Kommunity. As these tools become more sophisticated, verifying sources has never been more important.

For a full breakdown of these claims and more, viewers are encouraged to watch the complete video analysis.