well, some interesting points :
1- People, let's not complain "too hard" about death in MK, as could be a shocking stuff : in the beggining of MK 2011 history, we see all our beloved characters just torn appart, all of them, chopped as barbecue meat and being eaten by vultures ..... so, everyone still shocked about death , MK characters death ? Before the story trying to be changed, there was only Raiden left, being beaten by a very self-confident Shao Kahn ..... Raiden had not time to elaborate a better information, he had just a couple of seconds to send something to the old past Raiden, so, it's not his fault .... he tried his best is such desperate moment.
** If Quan Chi mastered the spells to ressurect Sindel, he can do the same to our "fallen heroes" in Netherrealm .... maybe could be harder,since Netherrealm seems to corrupt hardly any soul there, but, I think he (Quan Chi) can do it, with time and help. But the question is : why reason he could do that ? The answer is : someone powerful enough, with power to destroy Quan Chi existence once and for all, could just threaten Quan Chi , something as "Make all fallen souls of our heroes become alive again and with their conscience, or I will destroy you forever" .... Raiden with assistance of Elder Gods, can do it .....
2- OK, Kung Lao's death looked unavoidable in the story plot, even why Kung Lao, acting more or less naive and stupidity, gave his back and let his guard down, Kung Lao let his guard off and Kahn easily broke his neck ...... so I ask : could you expect less coming from Kahn, who is a bloody barbarian badass mother****er ? NO, Kahn, if had chance, could stripe off Kung Lao's flesh from his bones, without none mercy, so, part of Kung Lao's death, belongs to Kung Lao himself, who was not smart enough and let Kahn sneaking and catching him .....
** Advice : Never, never turn your back to a psycho sadistic Outworld ruler that like to cheat, and break rules .... Even more if he is just 2 an half meters near of you .....
3- I point to Quan Chi, that smart fox, to be responsible for the fate, the destiny of our heroes death : Liu Kang killed Kahn, after Kunk Lao's death .... so, what could happen if, Kahn was really death ? What if Quan Chi could not revive Kahn ? What if Quan Chi ,for some reason, could be unable to do it ? I tell you : NO Sindel possessed by Shang Tsung soul, no multiple kill in the final act ..... so, Quan Chi was responsible indirectly for all deaths in the final part of story (less Liu Kang), even more that Quan Chi, being a soul collector, claimed all heroes souls to his own, and keep them in Netherrealm as his slaves. Quan Chi is a clever SOB, that take advantage in any situation , in every chance he gets.
** So, next time, Lord Raiden, be careful and kill Quan Chi as soon as you see him , hehe.
4- Liu Kang death is a completly Raiden's fault, both guys, they used to trust each other, they became totally blind furious and desperate in the end, and so, Raiden, instead of only doing enough damage to control and knock out Liu, just gave an extra "shock therapy" in a distracted and defenseless Liu Kang ..... Raiden's intention was make Kahn to pay painfully for his act of treason regarding MK rules, but this cost Liu's life, and we cannot forgive Raiden for this ..... If Raiden has honour, I think he should beg to Elder Gods to ressurect Liu, Liu Kang death is unfair and depressed.