Virgil (wrestler) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Virgil
Virgil in 2013
Birth name	Michael Jones
Born	(1962-06-13)June 13, 1962 Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	February 28, 2024(2024-02-28) (aged 61)
Alma mater	Virginia Union University
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)	Curly Bill Lucius Brown Mr. Jones Mike Jones Shane Soul Train Jones Vincent Vince Virgil
Billed height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Billed weight	250 lb (113 kg)
Billed from	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Palm Beach, Florida
Trained by	Afa Anoa'i
Debut	1985
Retired	2019

Michael Jones (born June 13, 1962 – died February 28, 2024) was an American professional wrestler and actor. He was best known by his ring name Virgil. He spent eight years in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). During that time, he was mostly known as the personal assistant to wrestler Ted DiBiase.

Early Life and Training

Michael Jones was born on June 13, 1962. His hometown was Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania. He had two older brothers and one sister.

He went to Virginia Union University. There, he played defensive back for the college football team. He also wrestled as an amateur.

After college, Jones worked for his uncle's moving company. He also started competing in bodybuilding shows. He met wrestler Tony Atlas at a gym in Pittsburgh. Atlas suggested that Jones try professional wrestling. In 1985, Jones began training with Afa of the Wild Samoans.

Professional Wrestling Career

Jones started his professional wrestling career in 1985. He wrestled as Soul Train Jones in the Continental Wrestling Association. This group was based in Memphis, Tennessee. On January 4, 1987, he won the AWA International Heavyweight Championship. He defeated Big Bubba for the title.

Joining the WWF

Jones later moved to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). He first appeared as Lucius Brown in 1986. His first WWF match was on September 17, 1986. He lost to "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff in Salisbury, Maryland.

Bobby Heenan and Virgil (left) with the Mega Bucks (Ted DiBiase and André the Giant) before WrestleMania IV

Virgil played a big part in major WWF stories in 1988. He helped Ted DiBiase and André the Giant in important matches. One famous moment was on the "Main Event" TV special. There, Hulk Hogan lost his World Heavyweight Championship. This happened after he held the title for almost five years. Virgil was also involved in the WrestleMania IV tournament. He was also in the main event of the first SummerSlam in 1988. At that event, Virgil was with Andre The Giant and Ted DiBiase. They were known as the Mega Bucks. They wrestled against Hulk Hogan, champion Randy Savage, and Miss Elizabeth. This team was called the Mega Powers.

Time in WCW

Virgil spent four years in World Championship Wrestling (WCW). He used several ring names there. These included Vincent, Curly Bill, Shane, and Mr. Jones. He was mainly a member of the nWo group. After he stopped wrestling full-time, Jones stayed popular. He became well-known on social media through viral memes.

Life After Wrestling

Michael Jones earned a degree in mathematics from the University of Virginia. After retiring from full-time wrestling in 2000, he became a high school math teacher in Pittsburgh.

Jones at a convention in 2006. This was an early example of the "Lonely Virgil" meme.

After his wrestling fame, Jones often went to fan conventions. He was also seen selling autographs at subway stations. Because of this, "Lonely Virgil" memes started appearing around 2012. Fans would post pictures of him at conventions with no one waiting in line. The "Lonely Virgil" meme was first created by Sam Roberts. He was from the Opie and Anthony radio show.

Acting and Documentaries

In 2014, Jones appeared in the film Bridge and Tunnel. It was directed by Jason Michael Brescia. Jones played a character named Kony, a regular at a neighborhood bar. He got the role after meeting actor-producer Joe Murphy. They met when Jones was selling autographs at Grand Central Station. In 2017, he played Kony again in Brescia's next film, (Romance) in the Digital Age.

A documentary about Jones was released in 2015. It was called The Legend of Virgil & His Traveling Merchandise Table. This film talked about his wrestling career. It also discussed how he became popular again on social media. In 2016, he appeared on The Edge and Christian Show on the WWE Network.

Film Appearances

Television Appearances

Personal Life

Since 2018, Michael Jones lived in Marianna, Pennsylvania. In April 2022, he shared that he had faced some serious health issues. He died on February 28, 2024, at the age of 61.

Championships and Accomplishments

• American Wrestling Association
  • AWA International Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • AWA Southern Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Rocky Johnson
• New Jack City Wrestling
  • NJCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
  • Ranked No. 74 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 1992
  • Ranked No. 483 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI Years in 2003
• United States Wrestling League
  • USWL Intercontinental Championship (1 time)
• World Wrestling Federation
  • Million Dollar Championship (1 time)
• Wrestling Observer Newsletter
  • Best Gimmick (1996) – nWo
  • Feud of the Year (1996) New World Order vs. World Championship Wrestling

See Also

In Spanish: Virgil (luchador) para niños