Ace Spade

**Ace Spade** is a main character on the Starz original wrestling drama *Heels*. He is portrayed by Alexander Ludwig.

In the ring, Ace is the beloved hero and star of the DWL. However, it is outside the ring where he struggles to reconcile his town idol status with his insecurities and demons. Matched with his brash, cocky and self-destructive nature, Ace is destined for the big leagues so long as he can keep it together.

## Biography

### Screwed over by Jack

Fan favorite Ace Spade comes charging to the ring after his brother Jack's victory and challenges him to a match for the title belt. When Jack accepts, Ace replies "Hey Jack, f\*ck you," which sends the crowd into a frenzy, as it's supposed to be a family-friendly show.

Ace and Big Jim stop by the convenience store, where Ace insults the cashier after she catches him stealing gum. He often comes in stealing, and the only reason she doesn't call the cops is that Ace's dad was good to her family. When she remarks that Tom would be ashamed, Ace brings up a memory from when they were kids and how his dad once made an offensive joke regarding her and a stray dog she found.

Ace lashes out after learning from Jack that he won't be winning the belt during the match. However, he's also getting the chance to go big league after learning that Wild Bill has come back to Duffy to scout him. Unfortunately, Jack goes off script after a fight backstage with Ace and nearly breaks his arm until the ref calls the match. In immense pain and having been screwed out of his chance to make the big leagues, Ace begins to cry.

Following the screw job, Ace has spent the last two days calling Wild Bill, without response, and having sex with Crystal, who begs him not to call again, but Ace is desperate. After learning from Bill that his chances of going big league have stalled, Ace goes on a binder, which eventually leads him to a karaoke bar, where he gets into a fight with a couple hecklers who saw him cry during the match, forcing Jack and Crystal to intervene.

The following day, Ace goes to visit Big Jim and Melanie in the hospital after she gives birth to their baby. There, he and Jack come to an understanding.

### Heel turn

Ace prepares for his triumphant return to the DWL, but Crystal pushes him towards turning heel, which is an idea he's very much against. Jack assures Ace that he can remain face, however, when he heads to the ring, he is met by a booing crowd. Ace is taunted while giving a speech to the crowd, who isn't interested in what he has to say and begins to heckle him, referring to him as a crybaby and throwing Kleenex at his feet.

Ace returns to the ring for his match with Bobby Pin, where he accepts his fate as a heel and low blows Bobby and stuffs his mouth with tissues before ending the match with a super kick to Bobby Pin's head. Ace and Bobby return backstage to a standing ovation, but Ace is in a less than celebratory mood. He pushes Crystal away and calls Willie a "bitch," forcing Jack to pull him to the side. Ace explains that he's simply giving Jack what he wanted; he's a heel now.

Ace heads to a bar, where he reconnects with an old friend, Tricia, who works there as a bartender, as well as Wild Bill, who convinces Ace to join him for a game of pool, during which he coaches Ace to tap into the best part of himself. Ace then return home and goes into the basement, where he and Jack discuss making a promo for the DWL.

The DWL films their first promo at the gas station, where Crystal works as a cashier. After shooting the promo, Ace pulls Crystal to the side and say that she did great. He asks if she wants to celebrate their first cinematic promo, but she has to get back to work. So Ace goes over to Crystal's the following day only to find her with Bobby Pin. After keying his car, Ace hooks up with Tricia.

### Rivalry with Bobby

After learning that they were being looked at by the South Georgia State Fair Commission, Ace recruits Tricia to be his new valet, forcing Jack to pair Crystal with Bobby Pin. While signing photos for fans, Crystal asks Ace why he’s replacing her, but he insists it’s not personal.

Ace is scheduled to face off with Bobby Pin once more, with whom he has both a fictional and real rivalry brewing with. Jack has written it so that Ace exposes Crystal for cheating on him with Bobby Pin, but Crystal goes off script and reveals to the crowd herself that she's leaving Ace. She then provokes Ace further and kisses Bobby. Enraged by her betrayal, Ace breaks Bobby's leg during the match, though he insists it was an accident.

Big Jim has asked Ace to be his daughter's Godfather and as such, he has to say a few words at the baptism. He reluctantly agrees and goes up to say a few words about how he and Jim have known each other since grade school, more specifically detention. He talks about how it's a hard road ahead, during which baby Shelby will wrestle with demons, both real and mental, but life is all about writing a story they all can be proud of.

Ace notices Bobby struggling to get a plate of food and rushes over to assist. He takes this moment to apologize for breaking his leg, and Bobby forgives him without a second thought.

As the night comes to an end, Ace stays to chat with Jim, who is happy with the life he's made for himself. And on his way out, Ace apologizes to Crystal for how he treated her.

### Joining the FWD?

After the DWL is vandalized by Charlie Gully, Ace decides to take a trip to Florida to personally confront him. However, he is met with open arms and an opportunity to fulfil his dreams of being champion with the FWD, an opportunity that Ace eventually takes up, as he joins the Gully the following night at the FWD with plans to go out and denounce the DWL. However, he begins to have second thoughts just as Jack arrives and attacks Gully in the ring.

### Three-way championship match

Ace and Jack flee the FWD and return to Duffy with the promise of Ace becoming face again and winning the title belt. With plans of Ace becoming face again in the ring, he decides it's time to become face in real life and apologies to Helen after previously insulting her.

The night of the fair has finally arrived, and Ace rushes to the ring to face off with Jack and Wild Bill for the title. When Bill craps his pants and plays dead to save himself the embarrassment, Jack and Ace are left to improvise in the ring. As they scale the ladder, the crowd begins throwing Kleenex at Ace. He asks Jack if this was his idea. "Not this time. It was my idea the first time," Jack admits. In a fit of rage, Ace attacks Jack and beats him mercilessly until Crystal intervenes and wins the championship. Ace is happy for her but leaves the ring without so much as a word to Jack.

## Appearances

### Season 1

* Kayfabe
* Dusty Finish
* Cheap Heat
* Cutting Promos
* Swerve
* House Show
* The Big Bad Fish Man
* Double Turn

## Gallery

### Videos

Ace Spade - Heels - STARZBehind the Scenes of Heels- Ace Turns Heel - STARZRing Talk with Alexander Ludwig- Superkick - Heels - STARZ
## References

1. ↑ Season 1, Episode 1: Kayfabe
2. ↑ Season 1, Episode 2: Dusty Finish
3. ↑ Season 1, Episode 3: Cheap Heat
4. ↑ Season 1, Episode 4: Cutting Promos
5. ↑ Season 1, Episode 5: Swerve
6. ↑ Season 1, Episode 6: House Show
7. ↑ Season 1, Episode 7: The Big Bad Fish Man
8. ↑ Season 1, Episode 8: Double Turn