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((Short description|American professional wrestler (1951-2024)))
((refimprove|date=November 2023))
((Infobox professional wrestler
|name        = Virgil
|image       = Virgil comic con 2013.jpg
|caption     = Virgil in 2013
|alt         =
|birth_name  = Michael Charles Jones
|birth_date  = ((birth date|mf=y|1951|04|07))
|birth_place = [[Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania]], U.S.
|death_date  = ((death date and age|mf=y|2024|2|28|1951|04|07))
|death_place = [[Canonsburg, Pennsylvania]], U.S.
|alma_mater  = [[Virginia Union University]]
|names       = Curly Bill<ref name=oww>((cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/v/virgil.html|title=Virgil|access-date=2009-11-14|publisher=Online World of Wrestling))</ref><br />Lucius Brown<br />Mr. Jones<br />Mike Jones<ref name=oww/><br />Shane<ref name=oww/><br />Soul Train Jones<ref name=oww/><br />Vincent<ref name=oww/> <br />Vince<ref name=oww/> <br />Virgil<ref name=oww/>
|height      = ((height|ft=5|in=11))<ref name=WWEAlumni/>
|weight      = 250 lb<ref name=WWEAlumni/>
|billed      = [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]]<ref name=WWEAlumni/><br />'''[[Palm Beach, Florida]]'''
|trainer     = [[Afa Anoa'i]]<ref name=WWEAlumni>((cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/virgil|title=Virgil|access-date=December 13, 2013|publisher=[[WWE]]))</ref>
|debut       = 1985<ref name=oww/>
|retired     = 2020
))

'''Michael Charles Jones''' (April 7, 1951<ref name= obit>((Cite web|url=https://www.costonfuneralhome.com/memorials/michael-virgil-jones/5388274/index.php|title=Michael "Virgil" Jones Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information|website=www.costonfuneralhome.com))</ref> – February 28, 2024), better known by his [[ring name]] '''Virgil''', was an American [[Professional wrestling|professional wrestler]] and actor. He is best known for his tenures in the [[WWE|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF, now WWE) and [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW).

In his four-year tenure in [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW), he wrestled with the [[ring name]]s '''Vincent''', '''Curly Bill''', '''Shane''' and '''Mr. Jones''', primarily as a member of the [[New World Order (professional wrestling)|nWo]]. After retiring, he became well known on social media as the subject of viral memes.

==Early life==
Michael Jones was born in [[Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania]] on April 7, 1951,<ref name=obit></ref><ref name=observer>((cite web|url=https://www.observer-reporter.com/local_news/2024/mar/01/larger-than-life-mike-jones-wrestler-better-known-as-virgil-dies/|title='Larger than life': Mike Jones, wrestler better known as Virgil, dies|access-date=2024-03-01|publisher=Observer-Reporter))</ref> to Warren Jones Sr. and Elizabeth Jones.<ref name=oww/> He had two older brothers, Warren Jr. and Donald, and a sister, Toni.

Jones attended [[Virginia Union University]], and played as a [[defensive back]] for the [[Virginia Union Panthers|college football team]]. He wrestled as an amateur.

Jones later worked at his uncle’s loading and moving company and began entering bodybuilding competitions. After a chance meeting with [[Tony Atlas]] in a [[Pittsburgh]] gym, Atlas recommended Jones to pro wrestling in 1985. In the same year, he began training with Afa of the [[Wild Samoans]].

==Professional wrestling career==

===Rookie years (1985–1987)===
Jones started wrestling professionally as '''Soul Train Jones''' in the [[Continental Wrestling Association|Championship Wrestling Association]] based in [[Memphis, Tennessee]] in 1985. There, he [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feuded]] with [[Chick Donovan]] and [[Fred Ottman|Big Bubba]]. On January 4, 1987, he defeated Big Bubba for the [[AWA International Heavyweight Championship]]. On April 20, he was defeated by Donovan, ending his reign at 106 days. During this reign, he also participated in a tournament for the vacant [[AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship]], defeating [[Tommy Rich]], [[Dale Veasey|The Hunter]], and Goliath on his way to the final, where he was defeated by [[Austin Idol]]. He would also unsuccessfully challenge [[Nick Bockwinkel]] for the [[AWA World Heavyweight Championship]]. Alongside [[Rocky Johnson]], he later held the [[AWA Southern Tag Team Championship]] for 28 days, until they were defeated by Donovan and [[Barry Horowitz|Jack Hart]].

===World Wrestling Federation (1986–1994, 1995) ===
====Ted DiBiase's bodyguard (1987&ndash;1991)====
[[File:Mega Bucks 1988.jpg|thumb|[[Bobby Heenan]] and Virgil (left) with [[Mega Bucks]] ([[Ted DiBiase]] and [[André the Giant]]) before [[WrestleMania IV]]]]
After moving to the [[WWE|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF), he first appeared wrestling under the name '''Lucius Brown''' in 1986. His first WWF match was losing to "Mr. Wonderful" [[Paul Orndorff]] in [[Salisbury, Maryland]] on September 17, 1986.<ref name=FieldGuide>((cite book|author=Pope, Kristian|title=Tuff Stuff – Professional wrestling field guide|publisher=KP Books|year=2005|chapter=Virgil (1980s–2000s)|pages=473|location=Iola, Wisconsin|isbn=0-89689-267-0))</ref><ref>((cite web |url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/86.htm |title=1986 |website=thehistoryofwwe.com|date=16 January 2023 ))</ref>

Jones then went on to debut in the summer of 1987 as '''Virgil''', the bodyguard for [[Ted DiBiase|"Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase]]. Virgil carried DiBiase's money that he liked to flaunt and was the one who got beaten up while DiBiase escaped the ring.

Virgil played a significant secondary role in the WWF main event storylines throughout 1988; including some of the biggest moments in WWF History; assisting Ted DiBiase and Andre The Giant during the infamous televised “[[WWF The Main Event|Main Event]]” special on NBC where [[Hulk Hogan]] lost the World Heavyweight Championship after nearly 5 years as the champion, at the ensuing [[WrestleMania IV|Wrestlemania IV]] tournament, and in the main event of the inaugural [[SummerSlam (1988)|Summerslam]]. At Summerslam 1988, Virgil was in the corner of Andre The Giant and Ted DiBiase as the [[Mega Bucks]] against Hulk Hogan, champion Randy Savage, and [[Miss Elizabeth]] as the [[Mega Powers]].

Throughout 1989-1991, Virgil would also occasionally wrestle against DiBiase's rivals as a gatekeeper; if DiBiase’s opponents could defeat Virgil they would finally be granted a match with the Million Dollar Man.

Virgil was humiliated by DiBiase consistently and eventually [[List of professional wrestling terms#T|turned]] on him, hitting him with his own Million Dollar Title belt at the [[Royal Rumble (1991)|Royal Rumble]] in January 1991, making him a fan favorite. After befriending and training with [[Roddy Piper]], he defeated DiBiase by count-out at [[WrestleMania VII]] and pinned him for Ted DiBiase’s unsanctioned Million Dollar Championship on August 26, 1991, at [[SummerSlam (1991)|SummerSlam]]. He lost the Million Dollar Championship Belt back to DiBiase in November of 1991 as a result of outside interference by the [[Barry Darsow|Repo Man]]. At Survivor Series 1991, Virgil was on Roddy Piper’s team with Bret Hart and the British Bulldog losing against Ric Flair, Ted DiBiase, The Warlord, and the Mountie. Virgil was Disqualified with Hart and Piper after being counted out of the ring during a brawl with DiBiase and the Mountie at the end of the match, losing to Ric Flair who was still in the ring. At [[This Tuesday in Texas]], Repo Man and DiBiase defeated Virgil and [[Tito Santana]].

==== Various storylines and departure (1992–1994, 1995) ====
((unreferenced|section|date=February 2024))
After this Tuesday in Texas, Virgil then departed on a career as a singles wrestler and was famous for wearing unusual red candy-striped tights. He entered the 1992 Royal Rumble as entrant number 23 and was eliminated by Hacksaw Jim Duggan; lasting 20 minutes and 45 seconds. On the March 22nd edition of Wrestling Challenge, Sid Justice attacked Virgil and broke his nose after Virgil appeared with other wrestlers to stop Sid Justice from beating up David Wolfe after their match. Virgil was forced to wear a protective face mask to protect his nose while wrestling for a few months after the injury. At [[WrestleMania VIII]], Virgil teamed with [[Big Boss Man]], [[Sgt. Slaughter]], and [[Jim Duggan]] to defeat [[The Nasty Boys]] ([[Brian Knobbs]] and [[Jerry Sags]]), Repo Man, and [[Jacques Rougeau|The Mountie]]. Virgil pinned Knobbs following a miscommunication from the opponents team. He also appeared in a losing match against [[Nailz]] at [[SummerSlam (1992)|SummerSlam]] and also lost to [[Yokozuna (wrestler)|Yokozuna]] at [[Survivor Series (1992)|Survivor Series]]. He did receive a shot at [[Bret Hart]]'s [[WWE Championship|WWF World Heavyweight Championship]] on the November 21, 1992 episode of ''[[WWF Superstars of Wrestling|WWF Superstars]]''. After a valiant effort, Virgil submitted to Hart's [[Sharpshooter (professional wrestling)|Sharpshooter]]. After the match, the two shook hands out of respect. 

Virgil began 1993 by appearing at the January Royal Rumble as entrant number 6 and was eliminated by the Berserker after lasting 17 minutes and eight seconds. Afterward, Virgil’s time in the spotlight began to fade in 1993 but he remained in the undercard of the WWF, losing a match to [[Raven (wrestler)|Johnny Polo]] in November a match in Ontario Canada.

Virgil's last appearance on a WWF PPV event was the [[Royal Rumble (1994)|Royal Rumble]], where he was a late substitute for [[Kamala (wrestler)|Kamala]]. He entered the rumble as number 10 but was eliminated by Diesel in 32 seconds. Virgil’s last notable feud was with a returning [[Nikolai Volkoff]] in the summer of 1994. Volkoff was down on his luck and had just been “bought” by Ted DiBiase, forcing Volkoff to wear a ¢ symbol on his tights. Virgil tried to persuade Volkoff this was a mistake and tried to inform him of DiBiase’s abusive history. Volkoff refused and defeated Virgil on the July 24 episode of WWF Superstars. This loss was a significant moment for the WWF in 1994, as the event kicked off the formation of Ted DiBiase’s Million Dollar Corporation stable of wrestlers who would go on to main event Wrestlemania XI. This match was Virgil’s last television appearance in the WWF and he left in August 1994.

Virgil did return briefly to the WWF in May and June of 1995 in matches against [[Pierre Carl Ouellet|Jean-Pierre LaFitte]] in [[Western Canada]] and the [[Midwestern United States|US Midwest]].

=== National Wrestling Conference (1995)===
On August 25, 1995, Virgil competed in the [[National Wrestling Conference]] in the supercard event "Night of Champions". The match aroused controversy when Virgil's opponent, The Thug, came out to the ring dressed in a [[Ku Klux Klan|KKK]] hood. The Thug was accompanied by another man dressed in a full KKK outfit who revealed himself as [[Jim Neidhart|Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart]]. Both men proceeded to attack Virgil with Neidhart rolling the KKK robe into a noose and hanging Virgil on the outside ropes. The 2-on-1 assault finally ended when the building's security dragged Neidhart to the back and Virgil was carried away on a stretcher.

===World Championship Wrestling (1996–2000) ===

==== New World Order (1996–1999) ====
Following two years on the independent scene, he appeared in WCW as '''Vincent''' in 1996 as the 5th member of the original nWo along with Ted DiBiase. He was given the role of "Head of Security" for the [[New World Order (professional wrestling)|nWo]]. Vincent, like his role as Virgil in the WWF, would often again take the brunt of the beatings from WCW wrestlers as other nWo members scurried away. 

As Vincent, Jones had minor success when first arriving in WCW, having a short stint of undefeated matches on ''[[WCW Saturday Night]]''. He also often was the valet for nWo members; most notably alongside Ted DiBiase during Hollywood Hogan’s title matches. 

After Ted DiBiase quit the nWo, Vincent began accompanying [[Scott Norton]], [[Scott Steiner]], [[Konnan]], and [[Brian Adams (wrestler)|Brian Adams]] to the ring. 

Vincent's first PPV match with WCW was at World War 3 1997 in the battle Royal, where he made it to the final eight before being eliminated by the Giant with assistance from DDP. He also wrestled at [[Starrcade (1997)|Starrcade 1997]], when he teamed with Scott Norton and [[Randy Savage]] to defeat the [[Steiner Brothers]] and [[Big Boss Man|Ray Traylor]].

In 1998 the nWo split; and Vincent remained loyal to the original black and white faction led by Hollywood Hulk Hogan which was now also being called “nWo Hollywood”. He assisted the faction in their feuds with the nWo Wolfpack and Ultimate Warrior’s “OWN”, the One Warrior Nation [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Stable|stable]]. He frequently was tag teaming with new nWo Hollywood recruit [[Stevie Ray]] and accompanied him to the ring for most of his matches.

In November 1998, he wrestled again in the Battle Royal match at ''World War 3'' on behalf of the nWo Hollywood group.

After Starrcade 1998, the nWo Hollywood and Wolfpac factions reunited and formed two squads, Wolfpac or nWo Red & Black; also known as nWo Elite and Vincent was demoted to be a part of the nWo Black & White; known also as the nWo “B-Team” with The Giant, Brian Adams, Curt Hennig, Horace Hogan, Scott Norton, and Stevie Ray. The nWo B-Team members began competing over who would be the leader of the squad. On the February 13, 1999 WCW Saturday night before his match with Johnny Swinger; Vincent asked for a microphone and changed his name to '''Vince''' and began another winning streak. Vince had a new cocky attitude and tried to impress Hollywood Hulk Hogan for control of nWo B-Team. Vince began feuding with his main rival Stevie Ray over who would be the leader of the Black & White (B-Team) nWo but eventually lost the Harlem Street Fight at the 1999 WCW Uncensored PPV that made Stevie Ray the de-facto leader. The issue of who was leader of nWo B-team persisted and on April 5, 1999 a 4 man battle royale was held on WCW Nitro to finally determine who would be the leader. Vince was eliminated first by Bryan Adams and Stevie Ray won again. Vince ended up remaining with the nWo B-Team as the last remaining member of the original nWo. Over the course of 1999 both squads of the nWo shrunk as one member after another slowly left overtime ironically leaving only Vince as the sole member and de facto last leader of the original nWo before the faction dissolved for good in October 1999. He never joined the nWo again when it came back as nWo 2000 (also known as nWo silver and black), or briefly in WWE.<ref name=FieldGuide/>

====West Texas Rednecks, Powers That Be, Mr. Jones and end of WCW (1999–2000)====
In October 1999 after the nWo dissolved, Jones changed his name to '''Curly Bill''' and joined the [[West Texas Rednecks]] with Curt Hennig, Barry Wyndham, Kendal Wyndham, and Bobby Duncum Jr.<ref name=WrestleCrap>((cite book|author=RD Reynolds and Randy Baer|title=Wrestlecrap – the very worst of pro wrestling|pages=[https://archive.org/details/wrestlecrapveryw00rdre/page/211 211]|publisher=ECW Press|year=2003|isbn=1-55022-584-7|url=https://archive.org/details/wrestlecrapveryw00rdre/page/211))</ref>

Vince Russo started the “Powers That Be” and in December 1999 changed Jones’s name to '''Shane''' and made him a bodyguard character once again for himself and the [[Harris Brothers]] (known briefly as Creative Control).

In mid 2000 Jones became '''Mr. Jones'''; the manager for [[Ernest Miller|Ernest "The Cat" Miller]], but he was soon replaced by a valet named [[The Nitro Girls#Members|Ms. Jones]]. This was Jones' final character in WCW and he wrestled under his real name, Mike Jones, before departing WCW in late 2000 and retiring from pro wrestling. Only a few months after, WCW went out of business and was bought by WWF.

===Retirement (2000–2020)===
Jones retired from active competition in 2000. He began making appearances again in 2006.

In April 2006, Jones toured Asia for the Armed Forces Entertainment. He wrestled as Vincent of the [[New World Order (professional wrestling)|nWo]] for U.S. troops in Korea, Tokyo, Guam and Honolulu, Hawaii.<ref>((cite web|url= https://www.wwe.com/classics/wherearetheynow/virgil|title= Where Are They Now?Virgil|last=Hoffman|date=January 28, 2007))</ref>

[[Image:Mike Jones mimicking a reverse neckbreaker on a soldier, 2006.jpg|thumb|Jones posing with a U.S. Soldier by demonstrating a [[neckbreaker]]]]

In 2016, he appeared on the "Old School" and the "Addicted to the Shindig" episodes of ''The Edge and Christian Show'' on the [[WWE Network]].

In an interview with [[ESPN.com]] in 2016, DiBiase revealed that he and Jones had a falling out over Jones booking independent wrestling shows for the two without DiBiase's knowledge, which led to DiBiase unknowingly no-showing the events. DiBiase had to apologize to the promotions for the unintentional no-shows and had to stress that Jones does not represent him for bookings.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/17539356/wwe-hall-famer-ted-dibiase-journey-million-dollar-man-preacher-man|title=From "Million Dollar Man" to preacher man|work=ESPN|first=Ben|last=Houser|date=September 13, 2016|access-date=July 11, 2022))</ref>

====Return to WWE (2010)====
On the May 17, 2010 episode of ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'' from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Jones returned to WWE reprising his Virgil bodyguard character, this time with [[Ted DiBiase Jr.]] He carried out all of his old actions, such as holding the ropes open for DiBiase and bringing him a microphone when asked.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1274154453|title=Raw Results – 5/17/10|last=Stephens|first=David|date=2010-05-17|publisher=WrestleView|access-date=2010-08-05))</ref> On the June 14 episode of ''Raw'', Virgil and DiBiase were in a tag team match against [[Big Show]] and [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] guest host [[Mark Feuerstein]]. After Virgil got pinned and lost the match, DiBiase stuffed a $100 bill in Virgil's mouth and walked out on him.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1276572395|title=Raw Results – 6/14/10|last=Stephens|first=David|date=2010-06-14|publisher=WrestleView|access-date=2010-08-05))</ref> The following week, DiBiase first apologized to Virgil, but then fired him and replaced him with [[Maryse Mizanin|Maryse]].<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1277177057|title=Raw Results – 6/21/10|last=Stephens|first=David|date=2010-06-21|publisher=WrestleView|access-date=2010-08-05))</ref>

==== Preston City Wrestling, Joey Janella’s Spring Break and Talk'N ShopAMania 2 (2017–2020) ====
On December 1, 2017, he wrestled a match for [[Preston City Wrestling]] (PCW) at Joey Janela's Big Top Adventure, held at the [[Blackpool Tower#Tower Circus|Blackpool Tower Circus]].<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=162624|title=PCW Joey Janela's Big Top Adventure|website=www.cagematch.net|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm|access-date=July 14, 2022))</ref>

On April 5, 2019, Virgil, dressed as the character Starman from [[Pro Wrestling (NES video game)|NES ''Pro Wrestling'']], appeared at [[Joey Janela's Spring Break]] 3, where he defeated [[Ethan Page]].<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/indies/joey-janelas-spring-break-3-pt-1-live-results-280976|title=JOEY JANELA'S SPRING BREAK 3, PT. 1 LIVE RESULTS|work=Figure Four Online|date=April 5, 2019|first=Jeremy|last=Peeples|access-date=April 8, 2019))</ref>

In late 2020, Virgil made a cameo in the ball for a ball match at Talk'N ShopAMania 2, hosted by the [[Good Brothers (professional wrestling)|Good Brothers]].<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/indies/talkn-shopamania-2-live-results-rise-torturer-325101|title=Talk'N ShopAMania 2 live results: Rise of the Torturer|work=Figure Four Online|date=November 13, 2020|first=Josh|last=Nason|access-date=July 14, 2022))</ref>

====All Elite Wrestling (2019–2020)====
From 2019 to 2020, Jones, under his old ring name of Soul Train Jones, began making recurring appearances for [[All Elite Wrestling]] (AEW), as an ally of [[Chris Jericho]] and [[The Inner Circle (professional wrestling)|The Inner Circle]]. On the November 6, 2019 episode of ''[[AEW Dynamite|Dynamite]]'', he appeared in a video package that mocked an earlier promo from [[Cody Rhodes]] (whom Jericho was feuding with at the time).<ref name="Olive Garden">((cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/2019/11/07/aew-dynamite-virgil-appears-chris-jericho-parody-promo-package-soultrain-jones-video-wwe/|title=Watch: Virgil Appears in Chris Jericho's Hilarious Parody Promo on AEW Dynamite|work=ComicBook.com))</ref> The promo saw Jones compare Jericho's talents to [[Olive Garden]] breadsticks as "unlimited" and it received critical praise from fans.<ref name="Olive Garden" /> On the November 27 episode of ''Dynamite'', Jones started off the show by introducing Jericho for Chris Jericho's Thanksgiving Thank You Celebration for Le Champion, which was ultimately interrupted by [[SoCal Uncensored (professional wrestling)|SoCal Uncensored]].<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/aew-dynamite-results/142770-aew-dynamite-results-november-27-2019/|title=AEW Dynamite Results – 11/27/19 (AEW World Championship match, Omega vs. PAC)|first=Josh|last=Boutwell|publisher=WrestleView|access-date=November 28, 2019|date=November 27, 2019))</ref> On the April 29, 2020 episode of ''Dynamite'', Jones made a cameo during the Inner Circle's Bubbly Bunch segment, appearing in the Manitoba Melee.<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/aew-dynamite-results/154951-aew-dynamite-results-april-29-2020/|title=AEW Dynamite Results – 4/29/20 (TNT Championship Tournament Semi-Final Matches)|first=Josh|last=Boutwell|publisher=WrestleView|access-date=July 11, 2022|date=April 29, 2020))</ref>

==Other media==

In 2014, Jones appeared in the [[Jason Michael Brescia]] film, ''[[Bridge and Tunnel (film)|Bridge and Tunnel]]'' as Kony, a neighborhood barfly.<ref>((cite web|last1=Scancarelli|first1=Derek|title=Movie Review: 'Bridge and Tunnel' Gets Long Island Right|url=http://underthegunreview.net/2014/09/01/movie-review-bridge-and-tunnel-gets-long-island-right/|website=Under The Gun Review|access-date=September 1, 2014))</ref> Jones was cast in the film after he met actor-producer Joe Murphy while selling autographs at [[Grand Central Terminal|Grand Central Station]]. In 2017, he reprised the role in Brescia's follow-up film, ''[[(Romance) in the Digital Age]]''.<ref>((cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/wwe-news-shinsuke-nakamura-suffers-first-main-roster-pinfall-loss-curt-hawkins-movie/|title=WWE News: Shinsuke Nakamura Suffers First Main Roster Pinfall Loss, Curt Hawkins Movie|work=411Mania.com|first=Larry|last=Csonka|date=June 26, 2017|access-date=July 11, 2022))</ref>

=== Pop culture===
[[Image:Virgil.jpg|thumb|Jones at a convention in 2006, an early example of the "Lonely Virgil" meme]]

Post-fame, Jones has been attending fan conventions and has been seen at subway stations selling autographs. As a result, since 2012, there have been "Lonely Virgil" [[Internet meme|memes]] created where fans posted pictures of him at conventions with nobody lining up. Lonely Virgil was originally created by [[Sam Roberts (radio personality)|Sam Roberts]] of the ''[[Opie and Anthony]]'' radio show.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com/buzzer/story/wwe-virgil-godundme-million-dollar-man-ted-dibiase-vince-mcmahon-072215|title=For Virgil, the million dollar quest continues - July 22, 2015|last=Greenberg|first=Keith Elliot|date=2015-07-22|work=[[Fox Sports]]|access-date=2015-07-28))</ref>

In 2015, a documentary featuring Jones was released titled ''The Legend of Virgil & His Traveling Merchandise Table'', which discusses his wrestling career and the recent upsurge of social media discussions surrounding him.<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.postandcourier.com/sports/wrestling/where-is-virgil-bodyguard-of-million-dollar-man-now/article_69975606-943c-11e9-8f4b-8369d73f822b.html|title=Where is Virgil, bodyguard of 'Million Dollar Man,' now?|work=Post & Courier|first=Mike|last=Mooneyham|date=June 21, 2019|access-date=July 11, 2022))</ref>

=== Urban legends ===
Since the 80s there has been an urban legend inside the pro wrestling industry that Jones’s character Virgil was named after [[Dusty Rhodes]] (real name Virgil Riley Runnels Jr.) as an inside joke rumored to be Bobby Heenan’s idea. This was never confirmed and is in constant dispute by WWE insider Bruce Prichard, who was on the writing team in 1987 and denies the rumor. Joel Watts came up with the name and said it was a coincidence. Despite the gossip never being confirmed as true, the hearsay never went away and as result of the rumor WCW named Jones’ WCW bodyguard characters after Vince and Shane McMahon as an inside joke.<ref>((cite web|url= https://www.thesportster.com/wrestling/wwe-pitched-strange-names-virgil/|title=Virgil|work=Sportster|first=Ben|last=Houser|date=June 21, 2022|access-date=August 7, 2023))</ref>

==Personal life and death==
Jones had a degree in mathematics from the [[University of Virginia]] and became a high school math teacher in Pittsburgh after retiring from full time in ring competition in 2000.<ref>((cite web|url= https://www.wwe.com/classics/wherearetheynow/virgil|title=Where are they now, virgil - January 28, 2007|last=hoffman|first=brett|date=2007-01-28|work=[[WWE]]|access-date=2023-08-07))</ref> Since 2018, Jones had resided in [[Marianna, Pennsylvania]].

On April 16, 2022, Jones revealed that he had previously suffered two [[stroke]]s and had been diagnosed with [[dementia]].<ref>((cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/virgil-currently-battling-dementia-says-hes-had-multiple-strokes-recently/|title=Virgil Currently Battling Dementia, Says He's Had Multiple Strokes Recently|work=411Mania.com|first=Joseph|last=Lee|date=April 16, 2022|access-date=July 11, 2022))</ref> A month later, he said he was diagnosed with stage two [[colon cancer]].<ref>((Cite tweet |user=TheRealVirgil |number=1525497355876851712 |title=It's really shitty right now. ))</ref> He was diagnosed with two additional strokes on February 23, 2024,<ref name=observer></ref> and died five days later at [[Canonsburg Hospital]] of complications from the strokes and dementia. He was 72 years old.<ref name="observer"/>

===Age confusion===
Jones had multiple conflicting dates of birth up until his death. He was thought to be 61 years old by most media<ref>((cite web | url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/sports/virgil-former-wwe-wrestling-star-dies-61-rcna140940 | title=Virgil, former WWE wrestling star, dies at 61 | website=[[NBC News]] | date=28 February 2024 ))</ref><ref>((cite web | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/michael-jones-virgil-wwe-wrestling-star-dies-at-61/ | title=Virgil, former WWE wrestling star from Wilkinsburg, dies at 61 - CBS Pittsburgh | website=[[CBS News]] | date=28 February 2024 ))</ref><ref>((cite web | url=https://www.wwe.com/article/mike-virgil-jones-passes-away | title=Michael Jones, known to WWE fans as Virgil, passes away ))</ref> upon his death, but his family and friends revealed his actual age as 72.<ref name=observer></ref>

==Championships and accomplishments==
*'''[[American Wrestling Association]]'''
**[[AWA International Heavyweight Championship]] (1 time)<ref name=AWAInternational>((cite book|author=Royal Duncan & Gary Will|title=Wrestling Title Histories|publisher=Archeus Communications|year=2006|edition=4th|chapter=AWA International Heavyweight Title|pages=31|isbn=0-9698161-5-4))</ref>
**[[AWA Southern Tag Team Championship]] (1 time) – with [[Rocky Johnson]]<ref name=SouthernTag>((cite book | first1=Royal |last1=Duncan |first2=Gary |last2=Will | title=Wrestling title histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present |location=Waterloo, Ontario |orig-year=2000.|chapter= (Memphis, Nashville) Tennessee: Southern Tag Team Title [Roy Welsch & Nick Gulas, Jerry Jarrett from 1977] | pages= 185–189| publisher=Archeus Communications |year=2006 | isbn=0-9698161-5-4))</ref><ref name=SouthernTagWeb>((cite web | url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tn/cwa/awa-s-t.html | title=Southern Tag Team Title | work=Wrestling-Titles | access-date=January 19, 2020))</ref>
*'''New Jack City Wrestling'''
**NJCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref name="Titles">((cite book|author=Royal Duncan & Gary Will|title=Wrestling Title Histories|publisher=Archeus Communications|year=2006|edition=4th|isbn=0-9698161-5-4))</ref>
*'''''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''''
**Ranked No. 74 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the ''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated|PWI 500]]'' in 1992<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=456&view=awards#awards|title=Virgil « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm|website=www.cagematch.net))</ref>
**Ranked No. 483 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the ''PWI Years'' in 2003<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi500yr.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110103045510/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi500yr.htm|title=The PWI Years|archive-date=January 3, 2011|access-date=June 28, 2012 ))</ref>
*'''United States Wrestling League'''
**USWL Intercontinental Championship (1 time)<ref name="Titles"/>
*'''[[WWE|World Wrestling Federation]]'''
**[[Million Dollar Championship]] ([[Million Dollar Championship#Reigns|1 time]])<ref name=Dibiase80s>((cite book|author=Brian Shields|title=Main event – WWE in the raging 80s|publisher=Pocket Books|year=2006|edition=4th|chapter=Superstars Bios: Ted Dibiase|pages=[https://archive.org/details/mainevent00bria/page/133 133–135]|isbn=978-1-4165-3257-6|chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/mainevent00bria/page/133))</ref>
* '''''[[Dave Meltzer#Wrestling Observer Newsletter|Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]'''''
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best Gimmick|Best Gimmick]] (1996) – nWo
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Feud of the Year|Feud of the Year]] (1996) <small>New World Order vs. World Championship Wrestling</small>

==Filmography==
((unreferenced|section|date=February 2024))
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Film
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 2014
| ''[[Bridge and Tunnel (film)|Bridge and Tunnel]]''
| Kony
|-
| 2015
| ''The Legend of Virgil & His Traveling Merchandise Table''
| Himself
| Documentary
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2017
| ''[[(Romance) in the Digital Age]]''
| Kony
|-
| ''Sweet Daddy Siki''
| Himself
| Documentary
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Television
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1999
| ''[[Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends]]''
| rowspan="5" | Himself
| Episode: "Wrestling"
|-
| 2004
| ''[[Penn & Teller: Bullshit!]]''
| Episode: "12-Stepping"
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2015
| ''[[The Special Without Brett Davis]]''
| Episode: "Fuck Money"
|-
| ''[[The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore]]''
| 2 episodes
|-
| 2016
| ''The Edge and Christian Show That Totally Reeks of Awesomeness''
| 2 episodes
|}

==References==
((Reflist))

==External links==
*((wwe superstar|virgil|Virgil))
* ((Professional wrestling profiles))

((Million Dollar Championship))
((New World Order))

((DEFAULTSORT:Virgil))
[[Category:1951 births]]
[[Category:2024 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American sportspeople]]
[[Category:20th-century male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American people]]
[[Category:21st-century male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:African-American professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:American male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:AWA International Heavyweight Champions]]
[[Category:Black conservatism in the United States]]
[[Category:Million Dollar Champions]]
[[Category:New World Order (professional wrestling) members]]
[[Category:Deaths from dementia in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Professional wrestling managers and valets]]
[[Category:Virginia Union University alumni]]
[[Category:Virginia Union Panthers football players]]

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