A longtime professional wrestler from the Pittsburgh area has passed away.
Michael Jones of Wilkinsburg, better known to 1980s and 1990s fans as “Virgil” or “Vincent” has died. He was 61.
According to reports, Jones suffered a couple strokes over the past several months and was diagnosed with dementia.
The news was confirmed by pro wrestling referee Mark Charles III who was told of Jones’ passing by his family.
“Virgil passed peacefully at the hospital this morning and I ask that you pray for him and for his family.”
As “Virgil”, Jones gained popularity playing the bodyguard for bad guy wrestler “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase.
Virgil became a good guy in 1991, turning on DiBiase and beating him in a couple of high-profile matches.
He later moved on to WCW, where he played the “head of security” for the wrestling faction, NWO.
Jones was a familiar face over the past 20 years in the Pittsburgh area, making appearances at county fairs, comic book conventions and other events signing autographs and taking pictures with fans.