By seizing control of the Shaolin Tournament he tried to tip the scales of order towards chaos.  Only seven warriors survived the battles and Shang Tsung's scheme would come to a violent end at the hands of Liu Kang.
 

Facing execution for his failure and the apparent death of Goro, Tsung convinces Shao Kahn to grant him a second chance.
 

Shang Tsung's new plan is to lure his enemies to compete in the Outworld where they will meet certain death by Shao Kahn himself.