cityside: I think that all depended on region. The top players were in California, Chicago, Florida, and New York.
Sub Zero can't do anything in the game to many characters. He isn't able to jump at Jax at all. He can't defeat Ground Pound and stand HK. ....
A lot of regions I went to really didn't know much about the game until they see the top characters play as they should be. In this day and age, You Tube allows for more competitive gameplay quicker, because people can copy everyone else's strategies. Back then, you had to figure it all our yourself =)