US Wrestling Star Virgil Dies at 61
By Kathryn Armstrong
BBC News
US wrestling star Michael Jones, known by ring names including Virgil and Vincent, has passed away at the age of 61.
“Virgil passed peacefully at the hospital this morning,” wrestling referee Mark Charles III – known professionally as The Count – announced.
His death was also confirmed in posts on his social media accounts.
Jones was a prominent figure in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
“There is so much to say here and would love to share stories but for now it’s a rough day as our friend is gone,” reads a message posted on his Instagram account.
“Wishing him all the unlimited pasta in heaven. We love you Mike.”
Jones, born in Pennsylvania, entered the world of professional wrestling in the mid-1980s adopting the ring name Soul Train Jones.
He made his WWF debut in 1986 and later rebranded himself as Lucius Brown, which was eventually changed to Virgil.
Jones gained tremendous fame as the bodyguard for Ted DiBiase, known as The Million Dollar Man, and this character propelled his career for several years.
After leaving the WWE in 1994, Jones spent two years working on the independent circuit before joining the now defunct World Championship Wrestling (WCW), assuming the character Vincent.
He briefly transformed himself as Curly Bill in the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) faction, West Texas Rednecks, before retiring from WCW in 2000 citing an injury.
Jones continued to make independent appearances as his various personas until his health started to decline.
In 2022, he revealed his struggles with dementia, colon cancer, and multiple strokes.
Online fundraising pages were set up to help cover his medical expenses, which later included costs for clothing and toiletries.
Following the news of his death, tributes poured in for Jones.
WWE Hall of Fame inductee Jake “The Snake” Roberts expressed his shock and sadness and wrote on social media, “Rest in peace, my friend.”
WWE star Luke Gallows added, “R.I.P Virgil, thanks for being a great sport during our shenanigans & for the memories. See you down the road, good brother.”
