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English football and professional wrestling: two great tastes that go great together.
To wit: Michael Jones, a retired wrestler who spent nearly 30 years in the business. Fans will likely remember him for his run in WWE during the 80s and 90s as Virgil, the hard-hitting brawler and erstwhile bodyguard for the Million-Dollar Man Ted DiBiase. Jones hung up his boots four years ago but still does some work for WWE on both sides of the camera. He’s also developed a strong social media following, thanks to a penchant for weird jokes and an inexplicable craving for pasta.
As it happens, Jones is a Liverpool fan. And so when the club announced they had finally signed Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk this week, the Nashville, TN native was quite beside himself.
Fam pic.twitter.com/73T0v9LCIs
— Virgil (@TheRealVirgil) December 28, 2017
Over the next day or so, Jones decided to have some fun with the fact that Van Dijk shares a first name with his in-ring persona.
I want to thank @LFC for my car my contract signing. I am excited to show the world how I am the greatest soccer player in the world. God bless
— Virgil (@TheRealVirgil) December 28, 2017
Things just got sillier from there.
#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/TBVVCGuYWx
— Virgil (@TheRealVirgil) December 28, 2017
No really.
Liverpool is now my home. I will make you all proud and continue the excellent tradition of@Premier league Football. I love football and I love my fans. A little pasta for my pre match will take me a long way. pic.twitter.com/FrFbqfihXM
— Virgil (@TheRealVirgil) December 28, 2017
Win or lose I will play football. I will also get paid lots of I will repay with friendships of admiration. I wanted to kill with kindness but now I am just going to eat pasta. Cheers mates pic.twitter.com/9walSGa3XU
— Virgil (@TheRealVirgil) December 28, 2017
If it’s one thing older wrestlers know how to do, it’s putting younger workers over.
Hey @SouthamptonFC it was a ooodles of fun. But the party is over. Time to make crumpets at Liverpool baby
— Virgil (@TheRealVirgil) December 28, 2017
Ok Liverpool a few ground rules before I start: 1. I need peddles at my feet as get off the bus like Eddie Murphy in Coming to America 2. A hot bowl of pasta in my dressing room. 3. My theme song onto the field is Careless Whisper by George Michaels. Ok bye
— Virgil (@TheRealVirgil) December 28, 2017
... ok now he’s just trolling.
First thing I do with my 75 mill
— Virgil (@TheRealVirgil) December 28, 2017
I have some decisions to make. #liverpoolFC
— Virgil (@TheRealVirgil) December 28, 2017
Hang on. Who is this Jurgen Klopp? I thought @DeludedBrendan was the Liverpool manager?
— Virgil (@TheRealVirgil) December 28, 2017
Thanks @GNev2 for the co-sign if I become half the bloke You are you can call me Mufasa
— Virgil (@TheRealVirgil) December 28, 2017
Oh my.
If I have the opportunity to win I would do it for my team. https://t.co/ZIXDW8SZZl
— Virgil (@TheRealVirgil) December 28, 2017
Just call me Ringo, we need a Paul George and John and we be good. https://t.co/cZm42mf8EL
— Virgil (@TheRealVirgil) December 28, 2017
What a time to be alive.