Virgil Battling Early Stages Of Dementia, Reveals Recent Strokes

The former WWE and WCW star has provided a health update to his fans.

By Andrew Pollard /

WWE.com

Former WWE and WCW star Virgil has taken to Twitter to give a sad update on his health.

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The one-time Million Dollar Champion revealed that he recently suffered two "massive strokes", is currently unable to use one of his arms, and has been informed by doctors that he's fighting the early stages of dementia.

In a Twitter thread, Virgil explained how he hadn't been feeling well since the weekend of WrestleMania 38. Upon visiting a doctor about his head, arm and heart, the 59-year-old was told he'd suffered two major strokes and was suffering with early dementia. The nWo alumnus detailed how is looking to sell autographs and videos in order to help him out financially at this time, and also asked people to download his Meatsauce Madness mobile game.

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The real-life Michael Jones made his pro wrestling debut in 1985, with him first working as Soul Man Jones in Memphis before landing in the then-WWF in 1986. Initially working as an enhancement talent known as Lucius Brown, he would be repackaged as Virgil the following year.

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From '87 through until 1991, Virgil served as the bodyguard of the 'Million Dollar Man' Ted DiBiase. After DiBiase turned on Virgil at Royal Rumble '91, the powerhouse became a fan favourite singles star who would eventually take the Million Dollar Title from Ted at that year's SummerSlam.

As Virgil, Jones would remain with WWF until August 1995. After that, he would turn up in WCW in '96, now known as Vincent and becoming the Head of Security for the nWo. That WCW tenure would last until 2000, with him renamed Shane, Curly Bill, Mr. Jones and finally going by his real name of Mike Jones during this final months with the company.

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More recently, Jones made a couple of appearances for AEW during Chris Jericho's run as the inaugural AEW World Champion.

The thoughts of all of us here at WhatCulture Wrestling go out to Virgil at this time.

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