Virgil, the former WWE star best known as the bodyguard of “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase, has passed away, a post on his verified Instagram account announced.
He was 61 years old.
In recent years, Virgil has suffered several strokes and was diagnosed with dementia. According to TMZ.
A statement on Virgil’s Instagram read: “This is to confirm the sad news that our beloved meat sauce god and wrestling superstar Virgil/Michael Jones has passed away.” “There’s so much we’d like to say here and we’d love to share our story, but this is a tough day at the moment with the loss of our friend. At this time, we would like him to be remembered as the person he was. We just hope he has unlimited pasta in heaven. We love Mike.”
Virgil began his career in Memphis in 1985 as Soul Train Jones in the Championship Wrestling Association and later became AWA International Heavyweight Champion and AWA Southern Tag Team Champion with The Rock’s father Rocky Johnson. .
He moved to what was then known as the WWF in 1986 and gained national recognition after carrying DiBiase’s money and standing by DiBiase’s side in the main event scene.
Virgil faced DiBiase in 1991, defeating him at WrestleMania VII, and later that same year at SummerSlam for the Million Dollar Championship.
After leaving the WWF in 1994, Virgil reunited with DiBiase in WCW as a member of the nWo. He left WCW in 2000 and retired as a regular wrestler in the ring.
“Shocked and saddened to hear of Virgil’s passing. Rest in peace my friend,” wrestling great Jake Snake Roberts wrote on X.
Longtime WWE star and current AEW wrestler Matt Hardy also paid tribute to Virgil on “X.”
“Virgil was a funny and unique person who was always cool to me, so I’m very sad to hear of his passing. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and fans,” Hardy wrote.
