RE point 1 and 3... I have heard stuff similar to this so many times, so this is not solely aimed at you but people need a reality check if they think NRS is making this game for the 200 or so tournament level players - they are making it for the million or so people who buy the game. In other words, tournament players are not THAT important to them (I don't mean that as an insult... just reality). Their main targeted market IS casuals who will only play for a month or two as they bring in the money to keep the franchise alive. You would not be playing MK if it wasn't for them. Sure they like you, but they will not take your opinion over what the masses want.
If Rain (or Raven etc) is considered fairly popular and is liked by the casuals, he will be in it. Personally I couldn't give a crap about Rain and hope he is not in it.