Picture of Daffney with Allie and Sienna. Photo Credit
Wrestling Republic had the unfortunate news of reporting the passing of Daffney this afternoon.
To remember Daffney, let’s take a quick look back at her life and career.
Daffney, real name Shannon Spruill was born to a military family and moved around the US until settling down in Georgia for school.
After graduating from college, Daffney entered the wrestling business, hired by World Championship Wrestling in 1999. Playing David Flair’s girlfriend, Daffney was known for her piercing scream outside the ring while not wrestling much.
In 2000, Daffney had her first matches in WCW which were mainly tag team matches alongside Crowbar. This resulted in Daffney “inadvertently” winning the WCW Cruiserweight Championship on the May 22nd, 2000 episode of Nitro.
Even though, Daffney would hold the belt for only two weeks, she was the second woman to have won WCW’s Cruiserweight title.
After a feud with Miss. Hancock (Stacy Keibler), Daffney would be released from WCW, one month before WWE bought the company.
From here, Daffney made the choice to continue in the wrestling business but as a wrestler training at Dusty Rhodes’ Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling training camp.
This resulted in appearances for TNA in its beginning days as Shannon and Shark Girl, and in ROH as Lucy.
In July 2003, Daffney would be signed by WWE to a developmental deal but would be released later that year.
It looked that Daffney’s wrestling career was over. With plans to focus on an acting career, Daffney stayed out of the business for over a year outside of posing for pictures for a wrestling site.
By 2005, wrestling was once again calling Daffney’s name and she begin to make appearances on the independent circuit as a valet and wrestler.
After three years on the independents, Daffney was signed by TNA again and after losing a $25,000 challenge against Awesome Kong, she reappeared as the Governor.
From the end of 2008 to the beginning of 2009, Daffney portrayed the Governor, a parody of Alaska Governor, Sarah Palin. After the Beautiful People turned on her, the Governor reverted back to Daffney and aligned with Dr. Stevie against Abyss.
This began Daffney’s most extreme and memorable run to wrestling fans as she went through tables and tacks in multiple instances and got injured at Bound for Glory in 2009 as she was chokeslamed through a barb wired board by Abyss.
Daffney would escape with only a concussion but the alliance with Dr. Stevie ended in 2010. She would revert to singles competition where she competed for the Knockouts Championship at Destination X in a losing effort to Tara.
After turning face and challenging for the Knockouts Tag Team Championship, Daffney would suffer another concussion along with other injuries in a dark match. This would end Daffney’s time with TNA on a sour note.
Daffney would end her wrestling career competing on the independent circuit.
Even though her career was over, Daffney continued to be active on social media interacting with her fans and built friendships with many of her fellow wrestlers in the business. Daffney even began process of getting her second bachelors degree.
Most importantly, Daffney pushed mental health awareness and ending the stigma of mental illness.
Daffney was more than just her career and name. She had an amazing personality that will be missed by all in the wrestling business and community.
Thank you Shannon and may you fly high.
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We here at Wrestling Republic urge for anyone who needs help to reach out for it. Mental Health is just as important as Physical Health and below this is some phone numbers and websites that you can contact if you need that you want help.
US Helplines:
United States of America – MHA Crisis Counselor/Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Phone 1-800-273-TALK(8255) Or Text MHA to 741741
JED Mental Health helplines and resources
Website – https://www.jedfoundation.org/mental-health-resource-center/ – Mental Health Resources and Helplines
Phone numbers – 1-800-273-TALK(8255)
Text – START to 741-741
Games and Online Harassment Hotline
Website – https://gameshotline.org/
TEXT “SUPPORT” to 23368 to get started.
The Games and Online Harassment Hotline is a free, text message-based, confidential emotional support hotline.
They are open 4pm – 7pm (Pacific) every Monday – Friday. USA only.
UK Helplines:
Samaritans
Website – http://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help-you/contact-us – Mental Health Support and Helpline
Phone – 116123
Email – jo@samaritans.org
Rethink
Rethink Mental Illness is a mental health charity offering a wide range of services, including frontline mental health support services for people experiencing mental illness or caring for people with mental health needs, support groups, online information, mental health training, corporate partnerships and much more. Our award winning Advice Service offers practical advice on many topics related to mental health, and publishes a large number of factsheets which are reliable sources of information.
Website – www.rethink.org
Phone – Advice Service 0800 801 0525
Mon-Fri 9.30am–4.00pm
Mind
Mind is a mental health charity offering both frontline services and online information. A–Z information about mental health and information and support can be found on their website.
Website – www.mind.org.uk
Info line – 0300 123 3393
Legal Advice line – 0300 466 6463
Time to change
Time to change is a joint project between Rethink Mental Illness and Mind with the aim to challenge stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health. Website contains useful facts and stats, factsheets and ways to get involved.
Website – www.time-to-change.org.uk
YoungMinds
YoungMinds is committed to improving emotional wellbeing and mental health and young people and empowering their parents and carers. Website has factsheets for young people, parents and professionals.
Website – www.youngminds.org.uk
Parents Helpline – 0808 802 5544
Mon-Fri 9.30am-4.00pm
Mental Health Foundation
Mental Health Foundation focus mainly on policy and service development and research. Their website contains A-Z mental health fact sheets.
Website – www.mentalhealth.org.uk
Together All
Together All is a completely anonymous online space to express yourself freely but safely.
Website – www.togetherall.com
Thrive
Thrive LDN is a citywide movement to improve the mental health and wellbeing of all Londoners. Thrive LDN is supported by the Mayor of London and led by the London Health Board.
Website – www.thriveldn.co.uk
