Former WWE Superstar Virgil has revealed the sad news that he has recently suffered two strokes and has been diagnosed with dementia.
Virgil made his name in the World Wrestling Federation in the late eighties at the side of Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase. As DiBiase’s bodyguard, he ensured that anybody that dared claim not to have a price for the Million Dollar Man soon paid the price in the ring.
Eventually, that partnership soured as Virgil saw the light and stepped out of DiBiase’s shadow. He became only the second Million Dollar Champion ever when he defeated DiBiase for the belt at SummerSlam in 1991.
Virgil eventually defected to WCW, joining the New World Order where he was known as Vincent. Under his pre-WWE name of Soul Train Jones, the star appeared on AEW television, introducing Chris Jericho’s ‘Le Celebration Of Le Champion’ back in 2019.
Now Virgil has taken to social media to reveal some unfortunate health news, with the star suffering “two massive strokes” recently:
“Dearest a Meatsauce Mafia. I am grateful that I can communicate something that has happened to me. Unfortunately I have some really hard news to share.”
“If you were wondering why I haven’t been so engaged over the last few weeks it’s because i was given bad news.”
“Since Mania weekend (of all weekends) I was not feeling so great. Something wasn’t right. My head, my arm and my heart . When I came back from Dallas i Ended up going to the Doctor and they discovered a whole bunch of issues.”
“For starters- without me knowing, over the past few months the Doctor had identified that I suffered 2 massive strokes. Like I didnt Even have a clue till I started not working with 1 of my arms. It’s basically not able to do anything. This was the decent news.”
Virgil added that he has been told he is fighting the early stages of dementia and gave his fans plenty of options to help support him during this difficult time:
“The worse news is that I have Been told that I am Fighting with an early stage of dementia. The years of taking the big main event bump every night (that nobody else wanted to take) Had started to effect me.”
“I’m nervous I’m scared & God knows I can’t afford 2 get through this & even make a living. It’s really sad as all I want to do is have fun & do what I always do. Survive. What am I asking for? Well 4 starters, my roommate and team have helped me with this page to help me get buy.”
“I’ll also sell autographs, video shoutouts or even if you could download my $2 video game (ON BOTH IOS AND ANDROID JUST LOOK UP MEATSAUCE MADNESS). It means EVERYTHING. I am asking you to send this out to all your friends, family or anyone that you ever thought loved Wrestling.”
“It all helps. I aint looking for sympathy. I am looking for the love I have Poured into this business to hopefully carry me through this sh*tty time. I did my time. I took my lumps. Now I am Just trying to survive. Hope this makes sense. Love you all.”
Everyone at Inside The Ropes sends their best wishes to Virgil at this difficult time.