The problem is, the actual concept of staying dead is directly contradicted by the established lore of this franchise.
Even if the process isn't tampered with to create Wraiths, Spectres, Revenents, or other forms of undead slave... it's been established on several occasions in the past that the afterlife exists in the Mortal Kombat universe, and what's more, it's made up of physical tangible places that can be entered and exited by anyone with the right access, inclination or know-how.
It's not just an abstract concept. Hell literally has a door in Mortal Kombat.
Bad guys, in established lore, have gone to the Netherrealm and simply walked back out and decided to be alive again (Mileena being a prime example)
Good guys, in established lore, have gone to the Heavens and simply walked back out and decided to be alive again (Johnny Cage being a prime example)
NOW... I won't deny that the most recent games (MK9 & MKX) have shown some clear indications that Netherrealm Studios is at least TRYING to make death a LITTLE more meaningful. In MK9 & MKX they're at the very least painting the illusion that it's a permanent concept, with permanent consequences.
But lets be honest, in reality, it's a fictional universe, and they're always going to cook up an excuse to bring back whoever they want to bring back. People spazzed after MK9 killed half the cast and turned Sub-Zero into a Cyborg, and I remember Ed Boon flat out saying as much. It was 8 years ago, so I don't remember his exact words, but, I recall his meaning being something along the lines of: "Really? You think Death sticks in this franchise? Are you guys new here?"
