History of Virgil (wrestler) in Timeline

Michael Charles Jones, better known by his ring name Virgil, was an American professional wrestler and actor. He gained fame for his performances in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW).

April 7, 1951: Birth of Michael Charles Jones

Michael Charles Jones, who would later be known as the professional wrestler Virgil, was born on April 7, 1951. He became famous for his time in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW).

1985: Introduction to Pro Wrestling

In 1985, Michael Jones started his journey into professional wrestling after being recommended by Tony Atlas. He began training with Afa of the Wild Samoans, marking the start of his wrestling career.

September 17, 1986: First WWF Match

Michael Jones made his first appearance in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) under the name Lucius Brown on September 17, 1986. He faced Paul Orndorff in Salisbury, Maryland, but lost the match.

January 4, 1987: AWA International Heavyweight Championship Victory

On January 4, 1987, Michael Jones, wrestling as Soul Train Jones, defeated Big Bubba to win the AWA International Heavyweight Championship. This victory was a significant milestone in his wrestling career.

1987: Urban Legend About Virgil's Name

In 1987, an urban legend emerged within the pro wrestling industry claiming that the character Virgil was named after Dusty Rhodes (real name Virgil Riley Runnels Jr.) as an inside joke, supposedly by Bobby Heenan. This rumor, denied by WWE insider Bruce Prichard and attributed to a coincidence by Joel Watts, persisted despite never being confirmed.

January 1991: Turning on Ted DiBiase

In January 1991, Virgil turned on Ted DiBiase by hitting him with the Million Dollar Title belt during the Royal Rumble. This event marked Virgil's transition to a fan favorite.

August 26, 1991: Winning the Million Dollar Championship

On August 26, 1991, at SummerSlam, Virgil defeated Ted DiBiase to become the Million Dollar Champion. This victory was a significant career milestone for Virgil.

November 21, 1992: WWF World Heavyweight Championship Match

On November 21, 1992, Virgil received a shot at Bret Hart's WWF World Heavyweight Championship on WWF Superstars. Despite a valiant effort, he submitted to Hart's Sharpshooter, and the two shook hands out of respect afterward.

August 1994: Last Television Appearance in WWF

In August 1994, Virgil made his last television appearance in the WWF. He left the company after a significant match against Nikolai Volkoff, which marked the formation of Ted DiBiase's Million Dollar Corporation.

August 25, 1995: Controversial Match in National Wrestling Conference

On August 25, 1995, Virgil competed in the National Wrestling Conference's "Night of Champions" event. The match became controversial when his opponent, The Thug, and Jim Neidhart attacked him while dressed in KKK outfits. The assault ended with Virgil being carried away on a stretcher.

1997: Vincent's first PPV match with WCW at World War 3 1997

In 1997, Vincent participated in his first PPV match with WCW at World War 3, making it to the final eight before being eliminated by the Giant with assistance from DDP. Later that year, he teamed with Scott Norton and Randy Savage at Starrcade 1997 to defeat the Steiner Brothers and Ray Traylor.

November 1998: Vincent's participation in World War 3 Battle Royal

In November 1998, Vincent wrestled in the Battle Royal match at World War 3, representing the nWo Hollywood faction.

1998: Vincent's loyalty to nWo Hollywood

In 1998, after the nWo split, Vincent stayed loyal to the original black and white faction led by Hollywood Hulk Hogan, now called 'nWo Hollywood'. He assisted in feuds against the nWo Wolfpack and Ultimate Warrior’s 'OWN', frequently teaming with Stevie Ray.

February 13, 1999: Vincent changes his name to Vince

On February 13, 1999, during a WCW Saturday night event, Vincent asked for a microphone and changed his name to Vince, adopting a new cocky attitude and starting a winning streak.

April 5, 1999: Vince eliminated first in nWo B-Team leadership battle royale

On April 5, 1999, a 4-man battle royale was held on WCW Nitro to determine the leader of the nWo B-Team. Vince was eliminated first by Bryan Adams, with Stevie Ray eventually winning.

October 1999: Jones joins the West Texas Rednecks

In October 1999, after the dissolution of the nWo, Jones changed his name to Curly Bill and joined the West Texas Rednecks, alongside Curt Hennig, Barry Wyndham, Kendal Wyndham, and Bobby Duncum Jr.

October 1999: nWo's dissolution and Vince's final status

In October 1999, the nWo factions dissolved, leaving Vince as the last remaining member of the original nWo. He did not join the nWo when it briefly reformed as nWo 2000.

December 1999: Jones becomes Shane under Vince Russo's 'Powers That Be'

In December 1999, Vince Russo started the 'Powers That Be' and changed Jones's name to Shane, making him a bodyguard character for himself and the Harris Brothers, briefly known as Creative Control.

2000: Jones becomes Mr. Jones and retires

In 2000, Jones became Mr. Jones, managing Ernest 'The Cat' Miller before being replaced by Ms. Jones. He wrestled under his real name, Mike Jones, before departing WCW and retiring from pro wrestling in late 2000. Shortly after, WCW was bought by WWF.

2000: Retirement from Wrestling and New Career

In 2000, Jones retired from full-time in-ring competition and transitioned to a career as a high school math teacher in Pittsburgh, leveraging his degree in mathematics from the University of Virginia.

2000: Jones retires from active competition

Jones retired from active competition in 2000.

April 2006: Jones tours Asia for Armed Forces Entertainment

In April 2006, Jones toured Asia for the Armed Forces Entertainment, wrestling as Vincent of the nWo for U.S. troops in Korea, Tokyo, Guam, and Honolulu, Hawaii.

2006: Jones begins making appearances again

In 2006, Jones began making appearances again in the wrestling scene.

May 17, 2010: Jones returns to WWE as Virgil

On May 17, 2010, Jones returned to WWE on an episode of Raw from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, reprising his Virgil bodyguard character with Ted DiBiase Jr. However, after losing a tag team match, DiBiase stuffed a $100 bill in Virgil's mouth and later fired him.

2012: Lonely Virgil meme creation

In 2012, the 'Lonely Virgil' meme was created by Sam Roberts of the Opie and Anthony radio show. The meme features pictures of Jones at fan conventions and subway stations, often seen selling autographs with nobody lining up.

2014: Jones appears in Bridge and Tunnel

In 2014, Jones appeared in the Jason Michael Brescia film, Bridge and Tunnel, as Kony, a neighborhood barfly. He was cast after meeting actor-producer Joe Murphy while selling autographs at Grand Central Station.

2015: Release of The Legend of Virgil & His Traveling Merchandise Table

In 2015, a documentary titled The Legend of Virgil & His Traveling Merchandise Table was released, discussing Jones's wrestling career and the recent social media discussions surrounding him.

2016: Jones appears on The Edge and Christian Show

In 2016, Jones appeared on the 'Old School' and 'Addicted to the Shindig' episodes of The Edge and Christian Show on the WWE Network.

2016: Falling out with DiBiase revealed

In 2016, in an interview with ESPN.com, Ted DiBiase revealed that he had a falling out with Jones after Jones booked independent wrestling shows for the two without DiBiase's knowledge, leading to DiBiase unknowingly no-showing the events and having to apologize to the promotions.

December 1, 2017: Jones wrestles at Joey Janela's Big Top Adventure

On December 1, 2017, Jones wrestled a match for Preston City Wrestling at Joey Janela's Big Top Adventure, held at the Blackpool Tower Circus.

2017: Jones reprises role in (Romance) in the Digital Age

In 2017, Jones reprised his role as Kony in Jason Michael Brescia's follow-up film, (Romance) in the Digital Age.

2018: Relocation to Marianna, Pennsylvania

Since 2018, Jones resided in Marianna, Pennsylvania after retiring from his wrestling career and teaching profession.

April 5, 2019: Virgil appears at Joey Janela's Spring Break 3

On April 5, 2019, Virgil, dressed as the character Starman from NES Pro Wrestling, appeared at Joey Janela's Spring Break 3, where he defeated Ethan Page.

November 6, 2019: Jones appears in video package mocking Cody Rhodes

On the November 6, 2019 episode of Dynamite, Jones appeared in a video package mocking Cody Rhodes, comparing Chris Jericho's talents to Olive Garden breadsticks as 'unlimited', which received critical praise.

April 29, 2020: Jones's cameo in Inner Circle's Bubbly Bunch segment

On the April 29, 2020 episode of Dynamite, Jones made a cameo during the Inner Circle's Bubbly Bunch segment, appearing in the Manitoba Melee.

2020: Virgil's cameo at Talk'N ShopAMania 2

In late 2020, Virgil made a cameo in the ball for a ball match at Talk'N ShopAMania 2, hosted by the Good Brothers.

April 16, 2022: Health Diagnosis

On April 16, 2022, Jones disclosed that he had previously suffered two strokes and had been diagnosed with dementia.

February 23, 2024: Additional Strokes and Passing

On February 23, 2024, Jones was diagnosed with two additional strokes. He passed away five days later at Canonsburg Hospital due to complications from the strokes and dementia. He was 72 years old.

February 28, 2024: Death of Michael Charles Jones

On February 28, 2024, Michael Charles Jones, better known as Virgil in the world of professional wrestling, passed away. He left behind a legacy marked by his roles in WWF and WCW.