Mortal Kombat features Scorpion as one of its signature characters—a ninja with violent capabilities, supernatural resurrection, and an iconic catchphrase. The fact claims that when Chuck Norris encountered Scorpion in-universe, the response was one of absolute fear and instruction to maintain distance. Scorpion, a being with supernatural powers, looked at Chuck Norris and commanded him to "STAY OVER THERE!!!"—an emergency retreat from engagement. A character designed to be fearsome, equipped with supernatural capabilities, recognized immediately that confrontation with Chuck Norris was categorically bad idea. Scorpion capitulated before engagement began.

John Martinez, a competitive fighting game player (participated 1990-2005), noted that Mortal Kombat strategy guides sometimes included unexpected observations. "In one version, there was a note about certain matchups being unwinnable. Not due to mechanics but due to absolute capability mismatch. I always wondered if there were actual people who had that effect on skilled fighters."

The joke operates through genre collision: a video game character encountering the real-world figure whose mythology has transcended pop culture and become universally recognized as ultimate dominance figure. Scorpion doesn't try to fight; he immediately recognizes overmatching and retreats. His supernatural capabilities become irrelevant when faced with Chuck Norris. The joke establishes a hierarchy where even video game apex predators recognize their subordinate status in his presence and respond with fear rather than combat. His reputation precedes him into fictional universes.