On Wednesday, referee Mark Charles III announced on social media the death of Michael Jones, better known by the alias Virgil during his years in WWE (then WWF).
Jones, 61, passed away peacefully in hospital surrounded by his loved ones. He had been suffering from dementia since 2022.
His heyday came in the late '80s and early '90s when he played the role of the popular Ted DiBiase's butler.
WWE is saddened to learn that Michael Jones, known to WWE fans as Virgil, has passed away.
WWE extends its condolences to Jones' family, friends and fans. pic.twitter.com/i9QDodn9BD
– WWE (@WWE)
February 28, 2024
He ultimately managed to break free in 1991, to the delight of the crowd, and it all culminated in a match against DiBiase at SummerSlam.
Before his time in the WWE, Jones wrestled under the name Soul Train with the AWA and teamed with Rocky Johnson, the father of the very popular Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
After his promotion to WWE, Jones made the jump to WCW under the name Vincent, where, among other things, he took part in the fight between the NWO and the rest of the company. That's how he found DiBiase, who like several other WWE stars had switched sides.
Since retiring from the ring in 2000, Jones has been a full-time high school teacher and a regular at former wrestling star conventions.
He briefly returned alongside Ted DiBiase Jr. in 2010, in addition to a few appearances on All Elite Wrestling in 2019 and 2020.