News broke late on the afternoon of Sunday, June 2, that Jermaine Robinson, who had wrestled as Dirty Money and Bolo Yung, had died. He was 44.
Details are scarce.
He had been on the shelf since April 2024, when he suffered a double quad tear in a match. There was GoFundMe account set up for the 20-year veteran to help with medical costs “[as] a way of showing appreciation for all he has done, we, his peers, have decided to start this fundraiser to assist him and his family. Donations will help offset medical costs and supplement any income lost during the recovery period. We hope you will help us rally around our brother!”
His wife, Melissa Robinson, posted on Facebook on May 9, that he had returned home from the hospital and that “This is going to be a long journey to recovery. If anyone can do it I absolutely know Dirty can!!”
On May 17, Jermaine Robinson posted to the GoFundMe page that he had been making progress: “First day of home PT went well! A lil movement in range of motion! Slow and steady, but Progressing! Thank you for your continued prayers for strength and healing!!! Hope you all have a wonderful day full of Healthiness & Happiness!!”
The 5-foot-10, 244-pound Robinson was born on January 11, 1980, in Fairfax, Virginia. He went to Hillside High School in Durham, North Carolina, graduating in 1992.
Heavy into fitness, Robinson attending the KYDA Pro Wrestling Training School, and learned under Jimmy Z (James Zaveski), who also had a hand in training Mickie James and Sonjay Dutt.
That love of fitness never left Robinson, as he was a fitness coach and a Zumba instructor. His YouTube page, @FitnessByDirtyMoney, celebrated fitness. It was a passion he shared with his wife. They lived in Alexandria, Virginia. They met in 2002, and were married in 2007.
Debuting around 2001, he held a number of titles through the years in Virginia and beyond.
A website post shared a memorable piece of hype:
Take a minute and think of the greatest place you have ever been in your entire life. Or the place you think will be the greatest place to visit in your entire life. Now imagine that luxurious place and multiple that by 10. This is a place so magnificent it is almost incomprehensible. A place where everyday it is raining $Money. DIRTY MONEY. Welcome to the UNTOUCHABLE REALM of your UNTOUCHABLE CHAMPION, DIRTY MONEY. Where he hypnotizes you with his style, strut, dynamic whirling moves and friskiness inside and outside the square ring on a daily basis. Love him, or love to hate him, you are now part of the UNTOUCHABLE FAMILY where DIRTY MONEY will reign as your champion throughout the ages. Check back often and subscribe to the Untouchable YouTube channels to stay enlightened of what is happening in your Untouchable Realm. Leave a message, purchase gear, check out photos & links and show everyone that you are a part of the Untouchable Family!
He formed a few notable tag teams, including The Ecktourage with Eric Chapel (managed by former WWE writer Kevin Eck) and The Platinum Icons with Phil Brown, both as Dirty Money. As Bolo Yung under a mask, he teamed with Kai Katana as The Rising Sun Assassins. There were championship runs alongside Phil Brown, Flash Williams, Scott Cardinal, G-Fed and Sonjay Dutt.
Colleagues posted their memories of “The Untouchable” Robinson.
Chris Wylde on Facebook: “I don’t even know what to say. He was one of my first opponents, first friends in wrestling. We had so many matches whether he was Dirty Money or Bolo Yung. My first year in wrestling he hit me with a chair and my grandmother came to the back and slapped him. We always talked about that when ever we would talk. This hurts. Thank you for everything Jermaine Robinson.”
Dimitrios Papadoniou on Facebook: I’m soooo gutted right now. Jermaine Robinson aka Dirty Money was a great person in and out the ring. Thank you for being my opponent in many promotions over the past 20+ years but most importantly thank you for being my friend. Love you my brother. See you on the other side. My condolences to his family. My heart goes out to you. I’ll have you in my prayers. R.I.P.”
Reggie Collins on Facebook: “Rest in peace to Dirty Money. I shared the locker room with Dirty many times. Thank you for the memories sir. May you rest in peace. I cant believe I don’t have a picture with you.”
Gem Stone on Facebook: “Omg…I hate hearing this news… Jermaine Robinson p.k.a. Dirty Money… RIP bro… I’m so glad we got to share the ring and I got to listen to part of your story of your upbringing. I would have loved to hear more of it. I guess it’s going to have to wait until we see each other again in the afterlife. Rest easy brother. ❤️”
