Dark Side Of The Ring: 4 Things We Learned From 'The Scream Queen: Daffney'

Daffney debuted in WCW in 1999 during a year of change for the promotion. She was told she was only going to be in WCW for four weeks as a crazed wrestling fan. Her angle was supposed to be short, with her first coming out to save David Flair during a match with DDP, but she did so well in her role that WCW kept her around full-time. That was no surprise, as Daffney (real name Shannon Spruill) had been acting since she was a kid, even appearing in feature films.

Right as Daffney was getting big, WCW came to an end in 2001. In a past interview, Daffney spoke about dealing with depression. She signed with WWE under a developmental deal, but was never used on TV. At the same time, she was going through a divorce. Her mental health got so bad that she was diagnosed as bipolar. Daffney's manic episodes scared her family and caused her to spend time in a hospital.

Daffney Returned To Wrestling In TNA

Two Head Injuries In The Ring Hurt Daffney

Wanting to rebuild herself and her career, Daffney made a wrestling comeback in 2003. She was doing better on her meds and in the ring with indie promotions like Shimmer. Still, she struggled with bipolar disorder, going off her meds when she gained weight. One of her friends said:

"Shannon's bipolar disorder was very disruptive for her personal life, but it didn't affect her work. She could still get out in the ring and do what she needed to do."

Daffney was doing so well that she signed with TNA. However, she first appeared not as Daffney but a parody of Governor Sarah Palin. She was then revealed to be Daffney and got to wrestle as herself. There, she became good friends with Mick Foley, but a match involving him was the beginning of the end for her career. In a Monster's Ball match between Foley and Abyss, she was thrown by Abyss from the top rope through a barbed wire table, but she hit her head on the floor. She not only sustained a head injury but also broke her arm.

Months later, Daffney ignored her doctor and returned to TNA. This led to a second concussion and a stinger during another match. Daffney filed a worker's comp claim when TNA didn't take care of her. She settled for very little, which included getting a thousand of her action figures for free.

Concussions Forced Daffney To Retire

Daffney Wanted Her Brain Studied After Her Death

Concussions amplified Daffney's bipolar disorder, which altered her personality. In a 2012 interview, she said:

"I don't think people realize how badly I've been hurt. As time has gone on, I don't think I'm going to be able to wrestle anymore."

She endured daily bad headaches that forced her to retire. Daffney stayed in the business, appearing at conventions and working on screen with the wrestling promotion Shine. She also spoke out about bipolar disorder with other women's wrestlers, teaching fans about what it was really like. The aftermath of her concussions was so bad that she'd get vertigo just from being a referee. She told her friends that she wanted her brain to be studied after she died, going so far as to fill out paperwork with a hospital.

In WCW, she was teamed up with Crowbar, who said:

"Shannon, just like many professional wrestlers, when that run is over, don't know how to become regular people. How do we exist outside of that spotlight?"

Daffney Took Her Own Life After A Frightening Instagram Post

CTE Was Found In Daffney's Brain

Daffney self-medicated, and after two car accidents, was court-ordered to go to rehab. The day before, she called a friend, confessing that she wanted to end her life. Her meds caused her to gain weight, which depressed her even more. When COVID hit, she was even more isolated, but she got her own apartment and seemed to be doing better. Then came a terrifying Instagram post on September 1, 2021. During a live feed, Daffney told everyone that she was going to end her life. She reminded others that she wanted her brain taken to a Boston hospital. When she saw that one of her concerned best friends logged on, Daffney told her she was sorry. Friends and family called the police where Daffney lived in Atlanta, with others online begging her to call them. Even Mick Foley reached out, but everyone's calls went to voicemail.

The Instagram feed then went black. Her family rushed to Daffney's apartment, but when she wouldn't answer, the fire department had to come and break down her door. There, the horrible news everyone was afraid of was confirmed, as Daffney was found dead by her own hand. Mick Foley said:

"It could be really difficult for Daffney to know how loved she was, and it's so unfortunate that she felt all alone. That's why I encourage people to reach out, and reach out to their friends. That's what we're here for."

Daffney's brain was the first female brain to be studied for CTE by the University of Boston. They did find CTE, but they couldn't determine the extent. Daffney was remembered as a great and kind person, so much so that Mick Foley told a sweet story about her. After watching a cable documentary about a girl named Vicky Lyons who'd been run over by a car and was now made fun of for injuries to her face, Foley was touched and Googled the girl's name, only to discover a video with Daffney having a wrestling match with the girl, whose dream was to be a wrestler. Daffney put over Vicky Lyons and made her look like a star. That's who Shannon Spruill was.