I don't think he could be classified as cheap since he doesn't have any blatantly abuseable moves. His moves are pretty standard along the lines of the other mid-tier characters.
If he did MK2 level damage like the other MK2 characters, he would be a little closer to MK2 Kung Lao in cheapness, but even then he wouldn't be as cheap since his regular moves and autocombos aren't as abuseable.