The Legacy Of WWE Legend Virgil, Explained
Highlights
- Virgil, known for being Ted Dibiase's bodyguard, passed at 61 after health struggles.
- He also wrestled as Soul Train Jones and later became a part of the nWo in WCW.
- Virgil became a pop culture icon and faced health issues in recent years.
WWE Legend Virgil, a wrestler that was known worldwide for being the bodyguard and/or servant of "The Million Dollar Man" Ted Dibiase, among various other gimmicks throughout his wrestling career, passed away early this morning (February 28th, 2024) at the age of 61. Over the past couple of years, Virgil had been battling a series of health issues beginning in 2022 when he revealed to the public he was battling dementia. A month later, he claimed to be suffering from stage two colon cancer and suffered two minor strokes.
Today, we celebrate his life and career, giving him a well-deserved tribute for his many contributions to the wrestling business.
Real Name | Michael Jones |
|---|---|
Height | 5'11" |
Weight | 250 lbs |
Billed From | West Palm Beach, Florida |
Age | 61 |
Date Of Death | February 28, 2024 |
Gimmicks | Virgil, Vincent, Shane, Curly Bill, Soul Train Jones |
Finishes | Million Dollar Dream, Camel Clutch |
Former WWE Superstar Virgil Passes Away At 61
The wrestling world is mourning the loss of Michael Jones, known to wrestling fans everywhere as Virgil.Virgil Began His Wrestling Career Competing As "Soul Train Jones"
Soul Train Jones Era, AWA Run
Virgil began his wrestling career under the alias of "Soul Train Jones" in 1985. He wrestled for AWA and other surrounding territories during this time. He captured the AWA International Heavyweight Championship and was an AWA Southern Tag Team Champion alongside Rocky Johnson, father of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. He had a couple of well-established feuds with Chick Donovan and Big Bubba (aka, Tugboat/Typhoon in WWE). He also challenged for the AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship, competing in a tournament where he made it to the finals only to be defeated by Austin Idol. In 1987, Virgil made his exit from AWA and signed with WWE.
Soul Train Jones' Career Was Forever Altered In WWE
Becoming Virgil, Ted Dibiase's Bodyguard
Soul Train Jones entered WWE originally as "Lucious Brown", an enhancement talent, losing his first WWE match to "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff. He was repackaged and re-introduced to WWE fans as Virgil, serving as both a loyal servant and bodyguard for "The Million Dollar Man" Ted Dibiase. Virgil had the role of carrying Dibiase's money around, flaunting it to the crowd, and took bumps in and out of the ring for Dibiase, when called upon.
Heading into the 1991 WWE Royal Rumble event, Virgil had developed a hostile relationship with Dibiase, as the latter began humiliating and embarrassing him. Both Dibiase and Virgil lost a tag match against Dusty and Dustin Rhodes. After the match, Dibiase tried to humiliate Virgil once again, but this time he had enough, as he struck down Dibiase with Dibiase's own Million Dollar Belt, receiving a huge pop from the crowd as he turned babyface.
Virgil began his babyface singles run from that point on. Arguably, he earned his biggest career victory at SummerSlam (August 1991) by defeating Dibiase for the Million Dollar Championship. He maintained a mid-card profile and wrestled in various matches throughout the remainder of his career, including a WWE Championship title match against Bret "Hitman" Hart, which he lost as a result of the Sharpshooter.
Virgil departed WWE in 1994, his final major PPV appearance happening in the 1994 Royal Rumble where he was eliminated by Diesel.
10 Things You Didn't Know About Virgil
Virgil is most famous as Ted DiBiase's bodyguard and nWo's Vincent. Let's learn more about this wrestler who started off as Soul Train Jones!Virgil Was Introduced As The nWo's Head Of Security
Virgil Becomes Vincent, WCW Run
Virgil was brought into WCW in late 1996 and repackaged as "Vincent" an obvious jab towards WWE Chairman Vince McMahon at the time. He was introduced as the newest member of the nWo, and was their "head of security". He wrestled in WCW mostly as a jobber and was often taken out by WCW's mid-card roster with relative ease. Over time, the nWo began to dissolve and fade away by October 1999, as the storyline grew stale and WCW began to change with management, as Vince Russo and Ed Ferrera entered WCW after Eric Bischoff was removed from power as WCW Executive Vice President.
Vincent was repackaged two more times in WCW. First, he became "Curly Bill", as he became a member of the West Texas Rednecks alongside Curt Henning, Bobby Duncan Jr., Barry Wyndham, and Kendall Wyndham. Shortly after that, once the "Powers that Be" storyline began to take shape in WCW, Vince Russo made "Curly Bill" as "Shane", a bodyguard character for himself and Creative Control (aka, The Harris Bros.). This was meant to be a shot at Vince McMahon's son Shane McMahon, just as his previous gimmick names were shots at Dusty Rhodes and others.
He left WCW in 2000 and entered retirement.
10 Things Fans Forget About Virgil in WCW
Virgil is mostly remembered for his WWE run alongside Ted Dibiase, so it's likely that a lot of fans forget things about his run in WCW.Virgil Reemerged As A Pop Culture Icon
Lonely Virgil Memes, Last Few Appearances
Virgil has become a bit of a pop culture icon. Most notably, there was a convention where nobody lined up to see him. This sad moment became a meme often referred to as "Lonely Virgil". He made several one-off appearances for WWE and AEW for a couple of comedy segments/skits. He became a spokesperson (of sorts) for Olive Garden's breadsticks and bragged about his love for the restaurant.
Virgil's health went on a downward spiral, as he suffered two minor strokes in addition to being diagnosed with dementia in 2022. Virgil announced he had been diagnosed with Stage 2 Colon Cancer as well.
Pittsburgh-area referee Mark Charles III announced on February 28th, 2024, that Michael Jones (Virgil) had passed away at 61 years old.
“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!”
We here at TheSportster send our heartfelt condolences and prayers to the family of Michael Jones (Virgil).
