MARK CALLOUS VS. JOHNNY ACE

 Johnny Ace makes his way down to the ring, JR says he’s popular but doesn’t sound delighted. “Mean” Mark Callous makes his way out with Theodore Long. Caudle says Mark towers over Ace, and he isn’t wrong.

Jim Ross and Bob Caudle are on commentary for this match.

MEAN MARK CALLOUS VS. JOHNNY ACE

WCW Capital Combat 1990 (19^th May 1990)

  A fan is ejected from the crowd as Callous takes his jacket off and they square up for a shoving match as the bell rings. Johnny Ace gets a headlock and he’s sent off the ropes. Johnny Ace’s shoulder tackle hits a brick wall in Mean Mark, he tries again to the same result and they fight over a hip toss until Mark Callous clotheslines Ace down.

  Johnny Ace avoids the jumping elbow drop and a dropkick sends Mark to the floor with Long. Johnny Ace flies over the top rope onto Callous but the camera misses most of it. Johnny Ace celebrates in the ring giving Mark Callous time to get back inside. They lock up, Mean Mark gets an arm wringer, but Ace reverses it, forcing Callous down and driving the point of his elbow into Mark’s arm. Mark Callous backs Ace into the corner and knees him in the gut. It’s quicker than waiting for the count but as he sends Johnny Ace across the ring he charges and hits the corner. Mark Callous reverses an irish whip the other way but runs into Johnny Ace’s knees. Johnny Ace leaps to the top rope and hits a crossbody! He covers but only gets 2. Johnny Ace arm drags Callous down and takes control with an armbar until Callous gets to his feet. Johnny Ace is backed into the corner to break the hold and Mark Callous clocks him over the referee’s head. Mark Callous kicks Johnny Ace out of the ring and Theodore Long takes some free shots as Callous asks the referee how his family’s doing. “I don’t think those kicks will cause any permenant damage” – Jim Ross.

  Back to the match, Mark Callous sends Ace’s head into the apron and the ring steps before getting back in the ring. Johnny Ace is knocked from the apron, and it doesn’t get much better for him as he gets in the ring and Mark Callous hits a delayed suplex for a 2 count. Mark Callous puts Johnny Ace in an arm wringer and kicks him down, giving Theodore Long a chance for another cheap shot. Johnny Ace goes out to the floor, which also brings out the referee to keep order and Mean Mark to run through Ace. Mark brings it back into the ring and sends Johnny Ace off the ropes into the jumping clothesline for 2. Mark Callous slows it down with a chinlock on the mat and Ace has to fight out of it. Johnny Ace breaks free with elbows to the midsection, he ducks a clothesline but runs into Mean Mark’s boot. Mark Callous grabs at Johnny’s face, trying to block the referee’s view and slams Johnny Ace down. Mark Callous hits a legdrop with more elevation than should be possible but he’s complacent on the cover and Johnny Ace kicks out at 2.

  Johnny Ace counters a slam attempt into an inside cradle and gets 2. Mean Mark kicks Ace but Johnny Ace fights back with right hands. Mark Callous is sent off the ropes but walks away from a dropkick attempt leaving Ace to eat shit. Mean Mark covers for 2 and chokes Johnny Ace on the mat. Johnny Ace kicks at Mark Callous and backs him into the corner, Callous is sent across the ring but Ace misses the charge, sending his shoulder into the top turnbuckle. Mean Mark puts Ace in an wristlock and begins targeting the left shoulder. Theodore Long chokes Johnny Ace across the middle rope and his match later tonight finally gets mentioned. Mark Callous forearms Ace in the lower back before sending him off the ropes. Johnny Ace kicks Mean Mark as he ducked too early and a dropkick sends Callous into the corner. Johnny Ace monkey flips the future Undertaker across the ring and knocks Callous down with another dropkick.

  Johnny Ace knocks Mark Callous down with a clothesline and goes to the top rope. Mean Mark ducks the flyinh clothesline and hits the Heart Punch. Mark Callous climbs to the top rope and walks across to hit an Elbow Drop for the win.  

WINNER: MEAN MARK CALLOUS

Johnny Ace sold well for Mean Mark through the match, it’s always interesting looking back to see the early work of legends but without that context it’s a slow match on a Pay-Per-View with some solid moments. Seeing a guy Callous’ size get height on a leg drop and his elbow drops will never get old, though. [*] 2.25/10