Former WWE superstar Michael Jones, aka Virgil, has passed away, find out more about him and his cause of death below along with his net worth
Jones had a long wrestling career where he competed across different promotions under different names.
Who is ex-WWE wrestler Michael Jones aka Virgil, cause of death, bio, age, real name and net worth now
WWE is saddened to learn that Michaelย Jones, known to WWE fans as Virgil, has passed away.
WWE extends its condolences to Jonesโ family, friends and fans. pic.twitter.com/i9QDodn9BD
— WWE (@WWE) February 28, 2024
Prior to his death, Jones set up a GoFundMe account to seek help with his minor expenses.
Michael Jones passes away
Former WWE wrestler Michael Jones has passed away. The former wrestlerโs verified Instagram account confirmed his death. The statement read:
This is to confirm the sad news about our beloved Meatsauce God and Wrestling Superstar Virgil/Michael Jones has passed away. There is so much to say here and would love to share stories but for now itโs a rough day as our friend is gone.โ
The post further continued:
We would only ask at this time to remember him as the man that he was. Wishing him all the unlimited pasta in heaven. We love you Mike.โ
Cause of death
While the official cause of death for Michael Jones has not been confirmed at the moment, he has been dealing with health issues for the past few years. Back in April 2022, Jones suffered two strokes and was diagnosed with early-stage dementia, which he revealed on X. Earlier this year, Jones announced that he was diagnosed with stage II colon cancer.
Michael Jones bio and career
Michael Jones, aka Virgil, was a former WWE superstar who was born on June 13, 1962, in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania. Jones first started out his wrestling career in 1985 under the name Soul Train Jones. Jones was just 61 years old at the of his death. He mainly worked for Jerry Jarrettโs Continental Wrestling Association in Tennessee.
He then joined the WWE in 1986, first under the name Lucius Brown. However, he got repackaged as Virgil, in the summer of 1987, posing as the bodyguard for the โMillion Dollar Man,โ Ted DiBiase. However, he eventually turned against his former boss in the 1990s. Virgil beat DiBiase for the Million Dollar Championship, in the 1991 Summer Slam, making him one of WWEโs most popular superstars.
Jones eventually left the WWE in 1994, and after spending two years as an independent wrestler, he joined the WCW in 1996 as a member of the New World Order (nOw). He reunited with Dibiase and served as the group’s bodyguard under the name Vincent. After the group disbanded in 1999, Jones joined the West Texas Rednecks as Curly Bill, and then as the bodyguard for Creative Control as Shane.
He then worked as the bodyguard for Ernest โThe Catโ Miller as Mr. Jones, before eventually leaving the WCW in late 2000. After leaving the WCW, he eventually retired from wrestling but occasionally made independent appearances. He briefly returned to WWE as Virgil in 2010, where he served as Ted Dibiase Jr.โs bodyguard. He made his last appearance in wrestling in the AEW between 2019 and 2020 under his original name, Soul Train Jones.
He had become bankrupt prior to his death with him even launching a GoFundMe campaign for himself which only raised $1,195.
Michael Jones had an Instagram account with the handle @realvirgil, where he had over 52k followers.
Tributes and condolences
Following his death, tributes and condolences have come pouring in Michael Jones. Mark Charles III, who was a wrestling referee and friend, wrote about Michael, stating:
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!โ
WWE Hall of Famer Jake Roberts also wrote on Instagram
Shocked and saddened to hear the news about Virgil. Rest in peace, my friend.โ
Another former WWE superstar, Luke Gallows, wrote on X:
R.I.P Virgil, thanks for being a great sport during our shenanigans & for the memories. See you down the road good brother.โ