Former WCW, Impact Star Daffney Passes Away
The multi-promotion star was 46
Shannon Spruill, best known to wrestling fans as lively "Scream Queen" Daffney Unger, has tragically passed away at the age of 46.
News of Ms. Spruill's passing was made public by SHIMMER Wrestling. A tweet attributed to wrestler Lexie Fyfe posted by SHIMMER read, "We are very sad to have to announce the passing of Shannon Spruill aka Daffney Unger @screamqueendaff. We are posting this at the request of her family. Please respect their privacy at this trying time. I will miss you my logical sister from another mister."
Debuting in professional wrestling in 1999, Spruill made an immediate impact in WCW as Daffney, a gothic, manically-energetic girlfriend to an increasingly unhinged David Flair. One of Daffney's most memorable characteristics was her piercing, high-pitched scream.
When not managing Flair and ally Crowbar, Spruill sometimes wrestled in WCW, facing the likes of Miss Elizabeth, Tammy Sytch, Stacy Keibler, Torrie Wilson, and others. She even briefly reigned as Cruiserweight champion, unintentionally pinning Crowbar during a match in which she was also involved.
After leaving WCW in 2001, Spruill continued on in the business, briefly working for early TNA, as well as XPW and Ring of Honor. In mid-2003, she signed a developmental deal with WWE, but was released by year's end.
Spruill later made appearances for SHIMMER and other independent promotions, and briefly left the business in the mid-2000s.
In 2008, Spruill returned to TNA, where she went on to play a spoof of former US Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin. The following year, Spruill reverted to her Daffney character, associating with the likes of Stevie Richards, Abyss, and Raven at different junctures. Spruill also feuded with Tara (Victoria) for the TNA Knockouts championship.
In April of 2010, Spruill suffered serious injuries while wrestling in a TNA dark match, including a bruised sternum, stinger, and concussion. She wrestled only several more times throughout 2010, before parting ways with TNA in March 2011. She wrestled only one more match since then, at an independent show in Connecticut the following month.
Spruill went on to file a worker's compensation claim against TNA, claiming an unsafe working environment. The suit was settled in March 2013.
Since then, Spruill made appearances for various indies, including Shine and Ring of Honor.
Cultaholic extends its condolences to Ms. Spruill's family and friends.
Written by Justin Henry
In addition to writing lists and commentaries for Cultaholic, Justin is also a features writer and interviewer for Fighting Spirit Magazine, and is co-author of the WWE-related book Titan Screwed: Lost Smiles, Stunners, and Screwjobs.