Former WWE wrestler Michael Jones dies at 61

Michael Jones AKA Virgil (Pic: Wrestling INC)

Former WWE wrestler Michael Jones, famously known as "Virgil" died at the age of 61. Wrestling referee Mark Charles III announced the news in a Facebook post.

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"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 love 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!", Charles wrote on Facebook. Taking to Facebook:

Back in the year 2022, Jones suffered two major strokes and was diagnosed with dementia. Previously, the wrestler stated that he had been diagnosed with stage II colon cancer.

Michael Jones was born on June 13, 1962, in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, United States of America. He made his first appearance in wrestling under the name of Soul Train Jones while working with Jerry Jarrett's Continental Wrestling Association in Tennessee. He entered WWE with a moniker of "Lucius Brown" before the famous Virgil. He took the name Virgil as a rib towards Dusty Rhodes, whose real name was Virgil Runnels.

He was a Dibiase's servant for nearly four years. In 1996, Jones joined WCW as a member of the nWo. Taking the name Vincent, a shot at WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, Jones generally served the role of the nWo's jobber until the group's initial incarnation dissolved in 1999.

The wrestler retired from wrestling in the year 2020. Even after retiring, he kept appearing in WWE as "Virgil" and served as Ted Debiase Jr's bodyguard. He made his last appearance in 2019 and 2020 for All Elite Wrestling. Later, Micheal Jones was known for him being the subject to various memes.