Former WWE/WCW star Virgil (real name Mike Jones) has passed away at the age of 61. The news comes from Mark Charles III, who posted the following 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 had been dealing with numerous health issues in recent years including a diagnosis of dementia in 2022 and two strokes prior to that. His sister stated that he never had cancer, as had been previously claimed.
Before becoming Virgil, Mike Jones got his start as Soul Train Jones in the CWA in Memphis. His biggest run happened when he was in the World Wrestling Federation when he paired with “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase.
As DiBiase’s bodyguard, he never spoke but in early 1991, he broke away and became his own man with Roddy Piper by his side. Fans heard him speak for the first time once he officially turned babyface.
The Virgil name was a rib on Dusty Rhodes (real name Virgil Runnels). Years later when Jones signed with WCW, he was renamed Vincent (a rib on Vince McMahon) and for a brief time he was known as Shane (a rib on Shane McMahon).
He continued to work on independent shows for many years after WCW folded and he was brought back to WWE in 2010 to reprise his bodyguard character for a storyline with Ted DiBiase, Jr.
Condolences to the family and friends of Mike Jones.