I'd like to see Jerrod, Kahil Grigesh, Wu Lae, etc. become relevant characters and have some sort of weight in the storyline. With the change of events, characters with minimal to zero storylines could become intriguing and heroic. They could be made into sinister villains. Races like the vampires could be fleshed out. The Tengu Clan could try and shut down a renegade and ruthless Lin Kuei led by Sektor. Cyrax or Subby could start the Tekunin. Who knows?

Maybe it was Apep fighting Blaze on that bridge. Shujinko and Apep were the same age, and Shujinko was an adult by the first tournament.

Maybe other characters could be developed since we're heading in a different direction.