- Virgil, whose real name was Michael Jones, died peacefully in hospital on Tuesday.
- He suffered “several strokes” a few weeks earlier while long battling for his health.
- DailyMail.com provides the latest international sports news.
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Tributes have poured in for WWE star Virgil following his death at the age of 61 on Tuesday.
Virgil, whose real name was Michael Jones, died peacefully in hospital a few weeks after suffering “several strokes”, a WWE spokesperson told DailyMail.com.
Virgil, a wrestling icon, is best remembered for his eight years in the WWF, primarily as Ted DiBiaise’s personal assistant and bodyguard. He had been diagnosed with dementia in April 2022 before being diagnosed with stage two colon cancer a month later.
His death was announced on Facebook by wrestling referee Mark Charles III.
Reacting to the sad news, WWE’s official X account tweeted: “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.
Former WWE wrestlers and celebrity fans have shared their condolences with Virgil’s family following the 61-year-old’s death on Tuesday.
Virgil was best known for his eight-year tenure in the WWF primarily as Ted DiBiaise’s personal assistant.
Former WWE IC (Intercontinental) Wrestling Champion Marc Mero also shared his condolences: “I’m sorry to hear that former WWE star Virgil, whose real name is Michael Jones, passed away at age 61, weeks after suffer “several strokes”. My thoughts are with his family and his many fans. BREAKDOWN.’
Brutus ‘the Barber’ Beefcake, who headlined Starrcade 1994, in a match against then-WCW World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan, shared a selfie he took with Virgil as a way to remember his friend, tweeting: ‘ RIP Virgil! May God bless you and keep you forever, brother! #VIRGIL #WWE #RIP.’
WWE announcer Kayla Braxton said she “never met Virgil, but I know how much he meant to this business,” in a touching tweet. “My thoughts are with all who knew and loved him.”
Wrestling fan Ken Jeong, best known for playing ‘Leslie Chao’ in the Hangover trilogy, shared a photo of himself with Virgil to honor the Pennsylvania native.
“Rest in peace, Virgilio,” he tweeted. Sending my love, thoughts and prayers to his family. #MillionDollarChampion.’
Brett Lauderdale, former owner of Game Changer Wrestling, an independent professional wrestling promotion based in New Jersey, shared: ‘RIP Virgil. As a performer, an incredible athlete and a reliable soldier. As a person, he was fun, friendly, and unpredictable in the best of ways.
‘He was a soldier and friend of GCW. I truly feel lucky to have met him and will share my personal ”Virgil stories” forever.’