Remembering WWE star Virgil: 1990s hero, Wembley Stadium stardom and tragic health decline

As one of the true underdog heroes of the 1990s wrestling scene, Virgil is a name and character fondly remembered by fans around the world. 

Fans have been paying tribute to the real-life Michael Jones, who died earlier this week after battling health issues in recent years.

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In the wild, wacky and cartoonish world of professional wrestling, which thrust its way into the mainstream in the Hulk Hogan era of the late 1980s and early 1990s, certain characters stay etched in the mind. 

Virgil was undoubtedly one of those, having been the consummate underdog. He first shot to WWE - then WWF - prominence in 1987, debuting as the bodyguard of Ted ‘Million Dollar Man’ DiBiase. 

A physically imposing and intimidating figure, he’d often carry out DiBiase’s dirty work on screen for scant praise or reward – treatment that finally led to Virgil turning on his boss in one of the most memorable storylines of the era.

After nailing DiBiase with his own title belt, their feud culminated at SummerSlam in 1991, Virgil defeating his former boss for the Million Dollar Championship to the delight of a packed crowd at Madison Square Garden.

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A year later, Virgil wrestled on the card at one of the most memorable SummerSlam events in history as the show saw 80,000 fans cram into Wembley Stadium in London. He was defeated by Nailz. 

The man himself would quip just last year that the crowd reaction he received under the Twin Towers dwarf that afforded to CM Punk on his return to WWE Raw after his comeback.

He posted on Instagram: “My pop [reaction] against NAILZ at Wembley destroyed this.”

The Pennsylvania-born star continued to feature sporadically for WWE before departing in the mid 1990s, going on to continue his career on the independent scene and, later, with World Championship Wrestling where he’d form part of the NWO.

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He featured fleetingly for WWE in 2010 before appearing under his old moniker of Soul Train Jones in All Elite Wrestling a decade later. 

Sadly, he battled ill health over the last few years of his life, suffering two strokes in 2022, later being diagnosed with dementia.

“WWE is saddened to learn that Michael Jones, known to WWE fans as Virgil, has passed away,” a WWE post on social media read.

"WWE extends its condolences to Jones’ family, friends and fans.”

Wrestling legend Matt Hardy posted his own tribute, saying: “Virgil was a funny, unique individual that was always cool to me and I’m saddened to hear about his passing. 

“My thoughts go out to his family, friends and fans.”

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Fellow 1990s WWE star Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts messaged: “Shocked and saddened to hear the news about Virgil.

“Rest in peace, my friend.”

Jericho, who worked with Jones in AEW, said: “Always a character and always a good cat, Mike (aka #Virgil) will be missed.

"Here’s to ya Soul Train… having a Lil bit of the bubbly and a few @olivegarden breadsticks in your honor!"