When Mortal Kombat introduced Johnny Cage, they didn’t just add another fighter—they unleashed the gaming world’s most hilariously overconfident movie star. Equal parts martial arts master and walking ego, Cage turned trash talk into an art form. Across brutal battles, world-ending threats, and even time travel, Johnny has always been there with a perfect one-liner or an even better low blow. His humor isn’t just comic relief—it’s a core part of what makes Mortal Kombat unforgettable. These are the ten funniest Johnny Cage moments that prove why he’s not just a fighter—he’s a legend.
#10: Cage’s Opening Line Against Shinnok – Mortal Kombat X
Right at the start of MKX, Johnny Cage faces off against the fallen Elder God Shinnok—and instead of being intimidated, he immediately roasts him with a now-legendary line: “You look like an extra from Lord of the Rings!” In the face of one of the most powerful beings in the Mortal Kombat universe, Johnny Cage acts like he’s insulting a bad cosplay at Comic-Con. It’s so unexpected, so wildly inappropriate for the situation, that it perfectly encapsulates Cage’s fearless stupidity—and endless charm. Developer commentary later confirmed that Cage’s trash talk in MKX was ramped up on purpose: they wanted players to feel that even when Earth realm’s survival was at stake, Johnny couldn’t resist throwing shade. It works beautifully, making his eventual triumph over Shinnok all the sweeter—and a lot funnier.
#9: Punching Goro Where It Hurts – Mortal Kombat (1992)
Johnny Cage didn’t need fancy fatalities to make an impression in the original Mortal Kombat. All he needed was one devastating, hilarious attack: The Nut Punch.
Facing Goro, a towering four-armed monster designed to terrify players, Johnny Cage bravely runs forward and punches him right in the jewels. Goro’s reaction—hunched over in agony—is instant comedic gold. In an era when most fighting games were all about stoic martial arts honor, Cage’s sheer audacity to win with dirty moves felt rebellious and hilarious. Behind the scenes, developers created the Nut Punch specifically because Johnny was based on cheesy action heroes—they needed him to fight dirty, stylish, and with a wink at the audience.
Thirty years later, it’s still one of the most iconic low blows in gaming history—and an essential part of Johnny’s legend.
#8: Johnny’s Autograph Brutality – Mortal Kombat 11
In Mortal Kombat 11, Johnny’s Brutality “Here’s Johnny!” is so absurdly perfect it feels like the developers were daring players not to laugh.
After defeating an opponent, Johnny whips out a signed headshot and slaps it onto the corpse like he’s sealing a business deal.
It’s such a ludicrous flex—turning a kill into a marketing opportunity—that it perfectly distills everything Johnny Cage represents. He’s not just winning. He’s making sure you remember who beat you. This moment stands out because it’s not just funny—it’s smart. Cage’s celebrity narcissism becomes a gameplay mechanic, and it’s impossible not to grin every time he pulls it off. In a series famous for blood and brutality, Johnny Cage finds a way to make self-promotion deadlier than a fatality.
#7: Time Travel Johnny Meeting Himself – Mortal Kombat 11
One of the funniest moments in Mortal Kombat 11 is when young Johnny Cage meets his older, slightly wiser (but still obnoxious) future self. Instead of some heartfelt bonding or meaningful warning about fate, the two immediately start insulting each other.
Young Johnny accuses Older Johnny of being a washed-up sellout, while Older Johnny mocks his younger self for being a reckless idiot. The dialogue is fast, biting, and hilarious—every jab feels perfectly in character.
This scene works because it doubles down on Johnny’s unique brand of self-love and self-loathing. It’s the ultimate Johnny Cage joke: even faced with literal proof that he survives and becomes a hero, his first instinct is still to argue and flex.
Behind the scenes, developers said they loved the idea of “Johnny’s greatest enemy being himself,” and it shows. Watching two Johnny Cages try (and fail) to out-douche each other is pure Mortal Kombat comedy gold—and one of the most memorable parts of the entire MK11 story.
#6: Johnny Cage’s Friendship Move – Mortal Kombat 3
Back when Mortal Kombat 3 introduced “Friendships”—silly, non-lethal finishers—Johnny Cage’s version was one of the most perfectly ridiculous:
He whips out an autograph table, poses dramatically, and starts signing glossy 8×10 headshots for nobody.
The animation is so smooth and so smug that it instantly became a fan favorite. Where other characters summoned rainbows or performed magic tricks, Johnny Cage just did what he loved most selling himself.
The Friendship was a hilarious reminder that Cage would always stay true to his brand, even when other characters were literally setting people on fire.
Developer interviews revealed that Cage’s Friendship was inspired by real-world action stars who sold autographs at conventions—and who were “just a little too eager” about it. Watching him strike poses, flash his movie-star smile, and shamelessly hawk his own image remains one of the funniest Mortal Kombat moments ever.
#5: “Here’s Johnny!” Fatality – Mortal Kombat X
In Mortal Kombat X, Johnny Cage’s “Here’s Johnny!” Fatality is a perfect example of Mortal Kombat’s brutal humor at its best.
In this Fatality, Johnny kicks his opponent backward, traps their head between two studio doors, and then smashes through them like Jack Nicholson in The Shining, yelling the famous line: “Here’s Johnny!”
It’s so absurd, so completely unnecessary, and so perfectly in character that it became an instant fan favorite. Only Johnny Cage could turn a horror movie reference into a violent Mortal Kombat Fatality—and make it hilarious instead of terrifying.
The Fatality even ends with Johnny flashing his teeth and posing for the nonexistent cameras, basking in the moment like he just nailed the perfect movie take.
Developers have said this Fatality was their way of leaning fully into Johnny’s Hollywood parody roots—and it worked beautifully. It’s not just a kill. It’s a performance.
#4: Johnny’s Movie Star Tantrum – Mortal Kombat 11 Story Mode
During the chaos of MK11‘s timeline shifts, Johnny has a full-on Hollywood diva meltdown while trying to explain the situation to the Special Forces.
At one point, when things go badly, he throws a tantrum, complaining about how none of this is covered in his movie contracts. He even blames his agent for not preparing him for “alternate universe negotiations.”
It’s so over-the-top and self-centered that it breaks the tension of a serious plot moment—and reminds players exactly why Johnny Cage is irreplaceable.
Instead of focusing on the fate of Earthrealm, Johnny’s biggest concern is how badly this time travel nonsense will affect his public image. And it’s hilarious because it feels so authentic to who he is: a hero who would rather be famous than responsible… until he has no choice but to step up.
#3: Johnny Cage vs. D’Vorah – Mortal Kombat X Story Mode
Mortal Kombat X gave us one of the most unexpectedly hilarious fights when Johnny Cage goes toe-to-toe with the grotesque insectoid assassin, D’Vorah.
Facing a horrifying, bug-spewing monster, most characters would show fear or disgust. Johnny? He cracks jokes about pest control, comparing D’Vorah to a cockroach problem he once had at his beach house. Even mid-fight, he never stops taunting her—calling her a “walking infestation” and joking about needing bug spray.
What makes this moment even better is how Johnny still fights seriously while making nonstop jokes. It perfectly balances humor and badassery—something few characters can pull off.
In developer interviews, the MKX writing team said that Johnny’s humor against D’Vorah was meant to show “human defiance against cosmic horror”—and it worked brilliantly. Cage doesn’t just survive D’Vorah’s horrifying attacks—he embarrasses her with sarcasm. His ability to make players laugh in the middle of an intense, gross-out battle is exactly why he remains one of Mortal Kombat’s most beloved icons.
#2: “It’s My Autograph, Isn’t It?” – Mortal Kombat 11 Intro Banter
One of MK11’s biggest highlights was its pre-fight intro dialogues—and Johnny Cage owned some of the funniest.
When facing characters like Sub-Zero, Scorpion, or even Kotal Kahn, Johnny often starts the match with smug comments about signing autographs, assuming every deadly warrior across the realms knows who he is.
One of the absolute funniest intros happens when Johnny, after seeing an opponent size him up coldly, says with complete sincerity: “It’s my autograph, isn’t it?” The delivery is perfect. In a universe full of time-traveling assassins, dark gods, and zombie ninjas, Johnny Cage is still convinced he’s Earthrealm’s biggest celebrity.
What makes this moment so legendary is how much it nails Johnny’s core character. He’s not just a goofball—he genuinely believes his fame transcends life-or-death battles. The MK11 developers said that designing Johnny’s intros was about “finding ways to make him the center of attention even when he really, really shouldn’t be.” Mission accomplished.
#1: Johnny Cage Saves the World (With Sarcasm) – Mortal Kombat X Final Battle
In Mortal Kombat X, the fate of Earthrealm rests in Johnny Cage’s hands during the final battle against Shinnok. And how does Johnny react to this world-ending, terrifying moment? By cracking jokes the entire time. Even while fighting a corrupted Elder God, Johnny delivers one-liners about Shinnok’s bad breath, his own bad luck, and the sheer absurdity of the situation. When most characters would go grim and serious, Johnny leans into humor—and somehow, it works. The most legendary part comes after he wins: “You really suck at this Elder God thing, you know that?” It’s the perfect closing line—not just because it’s funny, but because it fits Johnny’s character arc. He’s still the cocky, sarcastic action star—but he’s also a real hero, one who uses humor not because he doesn’t take things seriously, but because it’s how he stays strong. Developers have even said that Johnny’s humor in the final battle wasn’t just for laughs—it was meant to show that courage and humor are two sides of the same coin. Facing death with a smile? That’s why Johnny Cage isn’t just funny. He’s legendary.
Johnny Cage proves that in a world full of dark sorcery, violent gods, and brutal fatalities, sometimes the strongest weapon isn’t fists—it’s humor. His cocky grin, ridiculous one-liners, and relentless ego have not only made him Mortal Kombat’s funniest fighter but also one of its most enduring heroes. Whether he’s punching sorcerers, roasting gods, or autographing his own victories, Johnny Cage reminds us that laughter is a kind of power—and no one in Mortal Kombat wields it better.
