SUMMARY
- WWE legend Virgil was announced dead by the WWE on February 28, 2024.
- Virgil made a major chunk of his appearances on screen with Ted DiBiase.
Virgil, real name Michael Jones, was a prominent face in the WWE in the late 1980s and early 1990s as he appeared alongside Ted DiBiase. In 1987, Virgil appeared as the bodyguard of the ‘Million Dollar Man’. They appeared together for years before a rift was caused between them in the storyline. On February 28, 2024, Virgil was announced dead by the WWE at the age of 61.
Virgil would regularly appear alongside Ted DiBiase as his bodyguard and his cornerman. He would face the wrath of DiBiase’s opponents when the latter would escape the ring. Virgil was a part of many significant storylines involving DiBiase and Andre The Giant in the late 1980s.
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
DiBiase, a heel character at the time, would not treat Virgil well. In 1991, Virgil became a fan favorite after he turned on DiBiase and hit him with his own Million Dollar Championship belt at the Royal Rumble. He even defeated DiBiase and won the Million Dollar Championship at Summer Slam in 1991. It was one of the career highs for Virgil.
He wrestled independently for the next few years in the WWE and went on to fight for several promotions in the later years. Virgil was suffering from several health issues. In April 2022, it was revealed that he suffered from two strokes and was diagnosed with dementia. He was even suffering from colon cancer. It is reported that his declining health condition was the cause of his death.
Ted DiBiase did not have anything against Virgil and claimed he was a “real nice guy”
During a podcast released in September 2023, DiBiase opened up about his relationship with his former on-screen bodyguard. The host claimed that there were stories about the pair not getting along in real life. However, DiBiase claimed there was nothing like that.
DiBiase claimed that Virgil “was a real nice guy”. However, he was also quick to point out that he was “just not the brightest guy but… I mean, so what? You know, he did what he was hired to do.”
DiBiase further doubled down on having no issues with Virgil in real life. He said, “I never had any issues with Mike this is, and [he was] seemingly a good guy.”
He was also impressed with how Virgil took care of himself and his body. Virgil used to stay in tremendous shape, according to the Million Dollar Man.
DiBiase opens up about the alleged difficulties Virgil was facing toward the end of his life
Virgil started suffering from health issues in the past few years. According to DiBiase, Virgil was not looking in great shape because of it. In the same podcast, he said, “I just saw him at a signing recently and you know he doesn’t look good… I don’t know what he has and he never really talks about it.”
Virgil turning on Ted DIBiase and that crowd reaction tells you everything you need to know about what a moment it was. pic.twitter.com/rUz6eiZAEz
— The Black Guy Wrestling Podcast (@bgwpod) February 28, 2024
DiBiase also narrated a story about Virgil he had heard and not liked. He narrated, “You know a little kid comes up to his table or whatever and Virgil asked him ‘Hey kid, you want an autograph? and the kid goes ‘Yeah’ so he signs the autograph and then he says 20 bucks.”
The legitimacy of the story is unknown but DiBiase showed sympathy toward Virgil as he believed his former on-screen bodyguard did not have a source of income while he suffered from health issues.