Shang Tsung was sent by Shao Kahn to represent Outworld in Mortal Kombat, and was successful until his defeat at the hands of the Great Kung Lao. Fortunately Shao Kahn was merciful on him and sent Goro to aid the sorcerer. The two would enjoy a grand winning streak until the 9th Mortal Kombat tournament where both he and Goro were defeated.

Shao Kahn was not as merciful this time and Shang Tsung pleaded with the emperor, telling him of his plan to give him the Earthrealm. Shao Kahn agreed and restored Shang Tsung's youth. Shang Tsung revealed that many years ago, he made a bargain with another sorcerer, Quan Chi, to help him have Shao Kahn's deceased wife Sindel reincarnated on Earth. In return for his aid, Shang Tsung told him the whereabouts of an amulet he was searching for. By resurrecting Sindel on Earth, Shao Kahn would be allowed to cross into the Earthrealm and retrieve her. However, doing this would also allow his armies to invade and Shao Kahn began his assault. They were ultimately defeated.

Observing a swordsman named Kenshi, Shang Tsung disguised himself and convinced Kenshi that he deserved a sword worthy of his skills, tricking him into releasing his ancestor's souls so he can consume them.

Some time later he would see Quan Chi battling Scorpion on his palace courtyard. Quan Chi managed to knock Scorpion into an acid pool which temporarily got rid of the ninja specter. Quan Chi boasted of his power and offered an alliance. Though Shang Tsung was fully aware of who Scorpion is and knew that Quan Chi was lucky, he decided to accept Quan Chi's offer and the Deadly Alliance was born. Quan Chi told him of his amulet and together they could rule all the realms, but first they needed to get rid of the only two that could stand in their way. They first visited Liu Kang whom was training. Shang Tsung disguised himself as Kung Lao and attacked him, Quan Chi then ambushed Liu Kang which allowed Shang Tsung to snap Liu Kang's neck. The two then headed to Outworld to eliminate Shao Kahn, which they believed they did, they then took command of Shao Kahn's Tarkatan hordes.

They set out to find the Dragon King's tomb which housed his invincible mummified army. Quan Chi used the amulet to open a portal to Heaven and needed Shang Tsung to take the souls and infuse them into the Dragon King's army to give them new life. Outside, Raiden's forces were getting killed by the Tarkatan army, but inside Raiden challenged them to Mortal Kombat. Though Raiden was powerful, the two sorcerers were eventually able to overwhelm Raiden. However after their victory, having no need for the other, they turned on each other with Quan Chi being the victor. His voctory would be short-lived however as the Dragon King returned. He, Shang Tsung, and Raiden all tried to stop the Dragon King but failed, Raiden then sacrificed himself in an attempt to stop the Dragon King and apparently killed the two sorcerers aswell.

Though dead, Shang Tsung's soul was magically drawn towards Shao Kahn, whom he had pledged servitude to and Shao Kahn gave him a new body. Quan Chi is revealed to be alive aswell when his master, Shinnok, sends him to give a message to the emperor. Shang Tsung is once again waiting for the opportunity to betray Shao Kahn while he pretends to be his most loyal servant.