Michael Jones (born June 13, 1962), better known by his ring names Virgil and Soultrain Jones, is an American professional wrestler and actor who is best known as portraying Ted DiBiase's body guard in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). Jones debuted in the WWF as Virgil in 1987 and later became a singles wrestler in 1991, wrestling for the WWF until 1995. His highest achievement was becoming the second WWF Million Dollar Champion after defeating Ted DiBiase at WWF Summerslam 1991.
In 1996 Jones followed Ted DiBiase to World Championship Wrestling (WCW) as Vincent; who was one of the original members of the New World Order and portrayed the groups Head of Security; accompany Ted DiBiase and various nWo members to the ring also as a body guard or corner man.
As Vincent he also was a member of the sub-groups nWo Hollywood in 1998 and nWo Black & White in 1999; also known as the nWo “B-Team”; changing his name to just Vince. In 1999 Jones was also briefly Curly Bill in the West Texas Red Necks and Shane in the group, the Powers That Be; always serving in a similar body guard type role. Jones did appear briefly as Mr. Jones the manager of Ernest "The Cat" Miller in 2000 and afterwards would occasionally wrestle in the ring under his real name before departing WCW in the same year.
In 2010 Jones returned to WWE again as Virgil; his most famous character; but this time as the body guard for Ted DiBiase Jr for a short time and recently in 2019 and 2020, Jones was making guest appearances in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as Soul Train Jones on AEW Dynamite with Chris Jericho.
Over his ten year career, he portrayed a total of 9 characters on television in pro wrestling. His performances as Vincent and Virgil during pro wrestling’s golden era of the 80’s and the attitude era of the 90’s impacted the storylines of Wrestlemania IV, the inaugural Summerslam in 1988, Summerslam 1991, and the early months of the 1996 nWo invasion storyline of WCW in significant and memorable ways, resulting in the Virgil character being given WWE legend status. Virgil and Vincent both appeared in video games and even today WWE still continues to make action figures of the Virgil character because of the impact he made on the pop culture of professional wrestling. Jones himself remains relevant on social media and has become the subject of viral memes since retirement.
Early life
Michael Jones was born on June 13, 1962, in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, to Warren Jones Sr. and Elizabeth Jones. He has two older brothers, Warren Jr. and Donald, and a sister.
He attended Virginia Union University, and played as a defensive back for the college football team. He also wrestled as amateur.
Jones later worked at his Uncle’s loading and moving company and began entering bodybuilding competitions. After a chance meeting with Tony Atlas in a Pittsburgh gym; Atlas recommended Jones to Pro Wrestling in 1985. In 1985 He began training with Afa of the Wild Samoans.
Professional wrestling career
Rookie Years(1985–1987) Jones started to wrestle professionally in 1985 as Soul Train Jones in the Championship Wrestling Association based in Memphis, Tennessee. In CWA Jones defeated Big Bubba for the AWA International Heavyweight Championship, unsuccessfully challenged Nick Bockwinkel for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship, and alongside Rocky Johnson, they won the AWA Southern Tag Team Championship.
During this reign, he also participated in a tournament for the vacant AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship, defeating Tommy Rich, The Hunter and Goliath on his way to the final, where he was defeated by Austin Idol.
World Wrestling Federation (1986–1994, 1995)
Ted DiBiase's bodyguard (1986–1991)
After moving to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), he first appeared wrestling under the name Lucius Brown in 1986. His first WWF match was losing to "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff in Salisbury, Maryland on September 17, 1986.
Jones then went on to debut in the summer of 1987 as Virgil, the bodyguard for "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase. Virgil carried DiBiase's money that he liked to flaunt and was the one who got beaten up while DiBiase escaped the ring. Virgil would also occasionally wrestled against DiBiase's rivals in warmup matches; before they could wrestle DiBiase and would often be DiBiase’s tag team partner.