On a recent edition of his “Everybody’s Got A Pod” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Ted DiBiase Sr. recalled Virgil turning on him at the 1991 Royal Rumble after being his valet.
Michael “Virgil” Jones passed away at the age of 61 earlier this month.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On the intention of his angle with Virgil and it not being about race: “That’s why it’s so important, it really is. And I hope the fans understand that well, the intention was obviously — you know, the intention was to build enough animosity in this guy that he does haul off and hit me. I mean, the whole deal was was like, the people watching it every week, they’re thinking to themselves, ‘Virgil, knock his head off.’ And that’s what we wanted them to get excited about. Because he eventually does.”
On Virgil turning on him: “He really did that well [milking the facial expression]. Yeah, God bless him. I just wish that he had had just a little more — I don’t know, just in-ring talent, you know what I’m saying? But in terms of all of his facials and the timing of — I mean, you can see him just starting to brew. He did it extremely well.”
On wanting to get more out of the angle: “I just wished — you know, if he’d have been able to wrestle. I mean, it was just so hard to have a match with him. It just was. And we got what we cut out of it. And I just — again, for him, I wish that it could have gone on longer.
On when he realized Virgil knew wasn’t a good wrestler: “I pretty much knew it. I mean, I can remember — I can’t remember [who], a couple of the other guys who had been around him when he — because he had been in a couple of territories. And they told me they said he really didn’t have a good grip on on the skills of wrestling. But the interview he did there that night. And not even in an interview, just the whole thing was in his expression, and that’s what got the dang thing over. I sincerely wished that it could have gone on longer for him.”
In the world of professional wrestling, storylines and angles play a crucial role in captivating the audience. One such angle that remains etched in the memories of fans is the betrayal of WWE Hall of Famer Ted DiBiase Sr. by his valet, Michael “Virgil” Jones, at the 1991 Royal Rumble. Recently, on his podcast “Everybody’s Got A Pod,” DiBiase Sr. fondly recalled this significant moment and paid tribute to Virgil, who passed away at the age of 61 earlier this month.
The intention behind the angle between DiBiase and Virgil was not about race, as some may have speculated. Instead, it aimed to build animosity and excitement among the viewers. DiBiase wanted the fans to root for Virgil, hoping they would eagerly anticipate him finally standing up to his former mentor. The ultimate goal was for Virgil to deliver a powerful blow to DiBiase, satisfying the audience’s desire for revenge.
DiBiase praised Virgil for his ability to portray emotions through his facial expressions. He acknowledged that Virgil excelled at milking the moment, building tension and anticipation before the eventual betrayal. However, DiBiase also expressed his wish that Virgil had possessed more in-ring talent. Wrestling matches with Virgil proved challenging due to his limited abilities, but DiBiase made the most out of their storyline.
Reflecting on his time working with Virgil, DiBiase admitted that he was aware of Virgil’s lack of wrestling skills. Other wrestlers who had encountered Virgil in different territories had already shared this information with DiBiase. Nevertheless, it was Virgil’s interview and overall expression that truly captivated the audience and made the angle successful.
Despite his limitations as a wrestler, DiBiase genuinely wished that the angle could have continued for a longer duration, allowing Virgil to further showcase his talents. It is a testament to Virgil’s ability to connect with the audience and evoke strong emotions that DiBiase held such admiration for him.
The story of Virgil turning on Ted DiBiase at the 1991 Royal Rumble remains a memorable moment in professional wrestling history. It highlights the importance of storytelling and character development in the industry. While Virgil may not have possessed exceptional in-ring skills, his ability to convey emotions through his expressions left a lasting impact on fans and fellow wrestlers alike.
As the wrestling world mourns the loss of Michael “Virgil” Jones, his contributions to the industry will always be remembered. His role in the angle with Ted DiBiase serves as a reminder of the power of storytelling and the ability of wrestlers to connect with the audience on a deep emotional level. Virgil may not have been a top-tier wrestler, but his impact on the industry and the memories he created will forever be cherished.