‘Virgil passed peacefully at the hospital’
The sad news was broken on Facebook by wrestling referee Mark Charles III.
He said: “My dear friends, it is with great sorrow that I bring news from the Jones family of the passing of our beloved Michael Jones, whom we know and loved as Virgil, Vincent, Soul Train Jones and more.
“Virgil passed peacefully at the hospital this morning and I ask that you pray for him and for his family. May his memory be eternal!”
Tributes poured in for Virgil, with one WWE fan saying: “Ugh, this hurts.”
Virgil dead aged 61
WWE legend Virgil has died aged 61 following a lengthy health battle.
The sad news was broken on Facebook by wrestling referee Mark Charles III.
Pictured: Virgil performed alongside WWE greats
Virgil got his big break in WWF in 1986 and went on to star alongside big names like Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant and Roddy Piper.
Virgil’s previous shock claims
The 60-year-old, real name Michael Jones, was a star of the squared circle back in the 1980s and 90s.
But during an appearance of The Breadstick Diaries podcast, host Vinny Vegas read out questions from viewers – one of which received an astonishing response.
The former professional wrestler was asked: “What’s your number Virgil, how many girls?”
To which he incredibly replied: “I don’t know, maybe like… worldwide? Probably a million.”
Host Vinny immediately questions Virgil’s claim, saying: “Virgil, come on, a million?”
But the former WWE star doubles down on the number, adding: “Yep, you’ve got like how many people in the world?”
Tributes flood in
Tributes continue to flood in for Virgil.
Taking to social media one fan said: “Incredibly sad to hear about the passing of Mike Jones or better known to us wrestling fans as Virgil.
“A colourful character both inside and outside the ring Rest In Peace Virgil.”
When did Virgil defeat Ted DiBiase?
Virgil took on Ted DiBiase at SummerSlam, August 26, 1991.
Virgil had the most memorable moment of his career defeating him at Madison Square Garden to win the Million Dollar Championship.