Former WWE Superstar Virgil passes away at age 61.
It has been reported that Virgil, whose real name is Michael Jones, suffered several strokes weeks before his death. Virgil’s passing was announced by referee Mark Charles III, who said that he passed away peacefully in the hospital on Wednesday (February 27.)
“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 Jone, 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!” Charles wrote. In 2022, the former wrestler suffered two strokes and was diagnosed with dementia.
He was best known for his time in the WWE (formerly known as the WWF), during the 1980s and 1990s. When he started his career in the WWE, he was known as the bad guy bodyguard to The Million Dollar Man, Ted DiBiase. In 1991, Virgil reached a new level of success after he turned on DiBiase, beating him at WWE’s Summerslam and becoming a good guy.
Virgil would later leave the WWE and go to their competitors, WCW (World Championship Wrestling) in the mid-1990s. During his time in WCW, he went under the name Vincent, as a joke to the WWE’s former owner Vince McMahon. In the mid-2000s, Virgil was forced to retire from in-ring action due to several injuries.
In 2021, he set up a GoFundMe account to get help for his medical bills and in 2023 another page was set up to help him with money for clothes and other essentials. Many of Virgil’s fans shared their love and support for the wrestler on social media. See some of the posts below.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Virgil’s family and loved ones.