Virgil Passes Away
Virgil has passed away.
Feb 28, 2024
Former WWE and WCW star Virgil (real name Mike Jones) has sadly passed away at the age of 61.
Mark Charles III announced Virgil's passing, posting on Facebook:
"My dear friends, it is with great sorrow that I bring news from the Jones family of the passing of our beloved Michael Jones, whom we know and loved as Virgil, Vincent, Soul Train Jones and more. Virgil passed peacefully at the hospital this morning and I ask that you pray for him and for his family. May his memory be eternal!"
Virgil has been suffering from health issues for the past several years and he recently suffered "several strokes." He had been diagnosed with dementia in 2022.
After beginning his career as Soulman Jones, Mike Jones rose to prominence during the Rock & Wrestling era of WWE as Virgil (a rib on Dusty Rhodes), the bodyguard of Ted DiBiase. He would later turn on DiBiase and have a singles career in WWE before making his way to WCW to rejoin DiBiase in the nWo as Vincent (a rib on Vince McMahon). He was also briefly known as Shane (a rib on Shane McMahon).
Virgil remained a part of WCW until 2000 when he retired. Jones would make several appearances in professional wrestling following his retirement, including in WWE in 2010 as part of a programme with Ted DiBiase Jr and in All Elite Wrestling in 2019 and early 2020.
Virgil had established himself as an unintentionally hilarious cult figure in recent years where he was obsessed with "f**k money", "meat sauce", and Olive Garden.
We send our condolences to Virgil's family and friends.