Biography: Daffney

Shannon Claire Spruill^[2] (born July 17, 1975)^[2] is an American professional wrestler and valet.^[2] She is best known for her appearances with World Championship Wrestling between 1999 and 2001 under the ring name Daffney. She currently works for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where she used the ring name "The Governor," a caricature of Alaska governor and former United States Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin, before returning to her Daffney ring name and gimmick.

Early life

A "military brat", Spruill was born in an United States Air Force base in Wiesbaden, West Germany, where her father was stationed. In 1976 the family returned to the United States, residing first in Salt Lake City, Utah, then in Savannah, Georgia and finally on the Scott Air Force Base in St. Clair County, Illinois. They later relocated to Oxford, England for three years, before moving to the Ramstein Air Base in Germany until 1987, when her father, by then a Lieutenant Colonel, retired.^[1]

Spruill graduated from Georgia State University in March 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Film and Video production, with minors in Acting and Music. She went on to work in Media Production before becoming an actress.

Professional wrestling career

World Championship Wrestling (1999–2001)

In November 1999, she responded to a World Championship Wrestling (WCW) contest looking to acquire new talent and was hired.^[6][7] In WCW, Spruill played Daffney, the mentally deranged, besotted girlfriend of David Flair, managing him and Crowbar. One of Daffney's hallmarks was a high piercing scream when she was lurking at ringside. The gimmick was based in part on Mallory Knox, the character played by Juliette Lewis in the film Natural Born Killers. Spruill's first appearance was on the December 6 episode of Nitro, when she was shown sitting on her bed and chanting Flair's name.

On May 15, 2000 Spruill and Crowbar defeated WCW World Cruiserweight Champion Chris Candido and his girlfriend Tammy Lynn Sytch in a mixed tag team match and were declared co-champions. The following week on the May 22 episode of Nitro, Crowbar and Spruill faced one another to determine the undisputed World Cruiserweight Champion. Crowbar held back during the match, but still dominated the smaller Spruill. After Candido entered the ring and hit Crowbar with a reverse piledriver, Spruill inadvertently pinned him while trying to revive him and thus became the second woman ever to hold the Cruiserweight Championship.^[8] Her reign lasted until June 7 when Lieutenant Loco pinned Disco Inferno in a triple threat title defense while Spruill was hurt following interference from Miss Hancock.^[9] Spruill went on to feud with Hancock, who had stolen the affections of Flair.^[10] Spruill defeated Hancock in the promotion's first ever Wedding Gown match after Hancock removed her own dress. Spruill then became solely the valet for Crowbar. She had a brief feud with Shane Douglas's valet, Torrie Wilson, but was rarely used as a wrestler.

Daffney was notable for her constantly changing hair color, wide selection of T-Shirts with slogans on them, and her propensity to scream loudly and shrilly for no apparent reason. She began screaming at the suggestion of WCW writer Ed Ferrara.^[1] Though Spruill's somewhat gothic character earned her a small but loyal fan base, she was released by WCW on February 2, 2001 due to budget cutbacks (WCW itself was purchased by its rival, the World Wrestling Federation, a month later).

Independent circuit (2002–present)

Spruill opted to continue wrestling, attending Dusty Rhodes' Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling training camp in Kennesaw, Georgia for eight months.^[10]

She made several appearances for the fledgling Total Nonstop Action Wrestling promotion in 2002 as Shannon and Shark Girl (valet of Shark Boy),^[7] and worked for Xtreme Pro Wrestling in 2003 as Lucy, the manager of Vic Grimes.^[1] She also appeared in Ring of Honor, where she debuted on April 26, 2003 as Lucy, the valet of the Second City Saints.^[7] In July 2003, Spruill was signed to a developmental deal by World Wrestling Entertainment. She worked in Ohio Valley Wrestling as the manager of Aaron Stevens until she was released on December 17 of the same year.^[7]

After her release from WWE, Spruill decided to retire from professional wrestling.^[8] Intending to focus on her acting career, she sold her wrestling boots to her then-roommate, Mickie James. While retired, Spruill worked as a personal trainer. In June 2005, she posed for a website owned and operated by wrestling divas Francine and Missy Hyatt.^[3][8] In February 2006, Spruill returned to the independent circuit. Spruill debuted in Women's Extreme Wrestling on April 6 under the ring name Lucy Furr ("Lucifer"), acting as a lumberjill in a match between Amy Lee and Tai Killer Weed.^[4] On June 2, 2006 in Irondale, Alabama, Spruill faced El Mexico for the NWA Wrestle Birmingham Junior Heavyweight Championship. With the help of her manager, Robert Fuller (who referred to Spruill as his "Million Dollar Baby"), Spruil defeated El Mexicano to win her third wrestling title.^[3] In February 2007, she began making appearances with Georgia Wrestling Promotions both as a manager and a referee.

In April 2007, Spruill debuted as Daffney for Shimmer Women Athletes. She conducted an interview where she revealed her goal was to return to what she did from the beginning of her career and that was to manage. Later that evening she appeared as the manager of the wrestler MsChif. In April 2008 she began wrestling as her Shark Girl character.

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2008–present)

Spruill re-emerged in TNA on the June 5, 2008 edition of TNA Impact! as Daffney. She was planted in the audience along with fellow wrestlers Amber O'Neal and Becky Bayless. The three women volunteered to wrestle Awesome Kong in the $25,000 Challenge. Daffney was selected and subsequently defeated by Kong.

In December 2008 Spruill started playing the role of Alaska governor Sarah Palin in skits involving the Beautiful People.^[8] On the January 15 edition of Impact! it was revealed by Taylor Wilde and Roxxi that "Sarah Palin" was indeed fake, and it had all been a big joke by Roxxi and Taylor to get revenge on The Beautiful People. They then proceeded to muck the Beautiful People as Spruill, Taylor and Roxxi celebrated. The next week she was seen in an interview with Lauren where they made fun of the Beautiful People. The Beautiful People then proceeded to viciously attack "The Governor" before being pulled away by Cute Kip as Spruill lay injured. On the February 5, 2009, edition of Impact! she made her return by attacking the Beautiful People, this time complete with entrance video and theme. She made her PPV debut at Destination X in a winning effort when she teamed with Roxxi and Wilde to defeat The Beautiful People and Madison Rayne.

As a result of having her hair cut by the Beautiful People on the March 19 edition of Impact!, Spruill transformed into her old Daffney ring name and gimmick on the April 2 edition of Impact!.^[8] She competed in the Queen of the Cage match at Lockdown against ODB, Madison Rayne and Sojournor Bolt, but failed to win the match. On the May 14 edition of Impact!, Daffney turned heel by assaulting Taylor Wilde, because she did not save her when The Beautiful People cut her hair.^[8] At Sacrifice Wilde defeated Daffney, who had Abyss and their on-screen psychiatrist Dr. Stevie in her corner, in the first ever knockout's Monster's Ball match.^[8] After defeating Wilde in a rematch with her swinging fisherman suplex named the Lobotomy, she associated herself with the returning Raven, whilst maintaining her relationship with Dr. Stevie. On the June 11 edition of Impact!, Daffney brawled backstage with Wilde after provoking her by attacking her on-screen best friend, backstage interviewer Lauren earlier on the same night. Daffney and Raven were defeated by Abyss and Taylor Wilde at Slammiversary in a Monster's Ball mixed tag match. During the match Wilde slammed Daffney onto a pile of thumbtacks.^[8] The following Thursday on Impact!, she and Wilde faced off in the first ever Knockout's "Match of 10,000 Tacks", which she lost. At Bound for Glory, Daffney interfered in a Monster's Ball match between Abyss and Mick Foley. During the match Abyss chokeslammed Daffney from the ring apron through a barbed wire board, although reports indicated she had suffered a broken arm,^[11] it was later reported to be inaccurate although she had instead suffered a concussion.^[12][13]

Personal life

She was previously married to guitarist Rich Ward^[10] and has also dated CM Punk.^[2]

In wrestling

• As Daffney
  • Finishing moves
    • Daff Knees^[14] (Single knee facebreaker)
    • Frankenscreamer^[2] (Frankensteiner)^[9]
    • Lobotomy (Bridging swinging fisherman suplex)^[15] – TNA
  • Signature moves
    • Bridging evasion
    • Diving hurricanrana^[2]
    • Fyfe Drop^[14] (Sidewalk slam) - adopted from Lexie Fyfe
    • Hosaka Kick^[14] (Spin kick) - adopted from Malia Hosaka
    • Inverted DDT^[2]
    • Lady of the Lake^[2]
    • Lance Crab^[14] (Roll–through counter into a single leg Boston crab) - adopted from Lance Storm
    • Leggo my Eggos^[14] (Daffney uses the opponent's legs to trap them in a cross–legged double chickenwing)
    • Rolling neck snap^[16]
    • Shining wizard^[16]

• As Shark Girl
  • Finishing moves
    • Chummer (Sitout three–quarter facelock jawbreaker, sometimes preceded by a vertical suplex lift)^[17]
    • Single knee facebreaker^[18]
  • Signature moves
    • Bridging evasion^[17]
    • Bridging northern lights suplex
    • Repeated overhead chops
    • Thesz press^[17]
    • Various armbars while biting the opponent's arm^[18]

• As The Governor
  • Finishing moves
    • Thrilla From Wasilla^[19][20] (Swinging fisherman suplex)
  • Signature moves
    • Roll–through counter into a single leg Boston crab
    • Spear

• Managers
  • Dr. Stevie^[2]
  • Raven
  • Robert Fuller^[21]

• Wrestlers managed
  • Aaron Stevens
  • Ace Steele
  • Chris Hero
  • CM Punk
  • Colt Cabana
  • Crowbar
  • David Flair
  • David Young^[2]
  • Elix Skipper^[2]
  • Francine
  • Kenny King
  • McNasty^[21]
  • Nova
  • MsChif
  • Raven
  • Roni Jonah
  • Roxxi
  • Sal Rinauro
  • Sami Callihan
  • Scotty Riggs
  • Shark Boy
  • Steve Corino
  • Steve Madison
  • Taylor Wilde
  • Vic Grimes

• Nicknames
  • "The Gothic Goddess"
  • "The Scream Queen"^[16]
  • "Zombie Hot" (bestowed upon her by Taz)^[22]

• Entrance music
  • Cover of "Burn" by Nine Inch Nails (WCW)
  • "Hardcore Revolution" (WCW / Shimmer)
  • "Inca Dance" by Cusco (Shimmer; as Shark Girl)
  • "Hail to the Chief" by Dale Oliver (TNA; as The Governor)
  • "Beauty Person" by Dale Oliver (TNA)
  • "Psychotic" by Dale Oliver (TNA)

Championships and accomplishments

• NWA Wrestle Birmingham
  • NWA Wrestle Birmingham Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
  • PWI ranked her #18 of the best 50 female singles wrestlers in the PWI Female Top 50 in 2009^[23]
• World Championship Wrestling
  • WCW Cruiserweight Championship (1 time) – initially held jointly with Crowbar

Filmography

• Insignificance (1985)
• I Surrender All (2001) as "Gina"

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} "Exklusiv-Interview mit Daffney". GenickBruch.com. 2003-01-18. http://www.genickbruch.com/interviews/daffney_eng.html. Retrieved 2007-04-06. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac} "Daffney profile". Online World of Wrestling. http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/d/daffney.html. Retrieved 2009-08-07. 
3. ^ ^{a b c} Walsh, James (2006-07-15). ""Scream Queen" Daffney Unger". WrestlingEpicenter.com. http://www.wrestlingepicenter.com/articles/154950041.shtml. Retrieved 2007-04-06. 
4. ^ ^{a b c d} "Lucy Furr at WExtremeW.com". http://www.wextremew.com/talent.asp?id=136. Retrieved 2007-04-06. 
5. ^ Gerretsen, Jasper (2009-09-29). "That Was Then, Is This Too? 09.29.09: Wrestlicious, Baby!". 411Mania. http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/columns/117550/That-Was-Then,-Is-This-Too?-09.29.09:-Wrestlicious,-Baby!.htm. Retrieved 2009-10-23. 
6. ^ "Shannon Spruill - She of Many Names". http://www.nerdylicious.net/prettyevil/2006/site/actress.html. Retrieved 2007-04-06. 
7. ^ ^{a b c d} "Shannon Spruill - She of Many Names: How it all Started". http://www.nerdylicious.net/prettyevil/2006/site/wrestling.html. Retrieved 2007-04-06. 
8. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h} Kamchen, Richard (July 17, 2009). "Daffney at home in TNA". SLAM! Wrestling. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/07/14/10134476.html. Retrieved 2009-07-22. 
9. ^ ^{a b} "Shannon Spruill - She of Many Names". http://www.nerdylicious.net/prettyevil/2006/site/wrestling.html. Retrieved 2007-04-06. 
10. ^ ^{a b c} Schramm, C. (April 1, 2001). "Catching up with Daffney". Canadian Online Explorer. http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingArchive2001/apr1_daffney-can.html. Retrieved 2007-04-06. 
11. ^ Martin, Adam (2009-10-20). "TNA Knockout suffers a broken arm". WrestleView. http://www.wrestleview.com/news2009/1256066285.php?style=dark. Retrieved 2009-10-20. 
12. ^ Caldwell, James (2009-10-20). "Caldwell's TNA Bound For Glory PPV Report 10/18: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of the second-half of the show with Styles vs. Sting". PWTorch. http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/PPV_Reports_5/article_36109.shtml. Retrieved 2009-10-18. 
13. ^ Martin, Adam (2009-10-23). "Update on TNA Knockout Daffney". Wrestle View. http://www.wrestleview.com/news2009/1256314222.php?style=dark. Retrieved 2009-10-23. 
14. ^ ^{a b c d e} "Daffney of G.L.O.R.Y. Wrestling". GloryWrestling.com. http://www.glorywrestling.com/gg/Daffney/D.asp. Retrieved 2007-04-06. 
15. ^ Parks, Greg (2009-06-04). "PARKS' TNA IMPACT REPORT 6/4: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of the show, including Samoa Joe vs. Kevin Nash in Lethal Lockdown". http://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_32577.shtml. Retrieved 2009-10-20. 
16. ^ ^{a b c} Boutwell, Josh (2009-08-28). "Impact Results - 8/27/09". http://www.wrestleview.com/news2009/1251441440.php. Retrieved 2009-10-20. 
17. ^ ^{a b c} Byers, Ryan (2008-04-28). "411’s SHIMMER Women Athletes House Show Report - 4.26.08". http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/news/74135/411s-SHIMMER-Women-Athletes-House-Show-Report---4.26.08.htm. Retrieved 2009-10-20. 
18. ^ ^{a b} Ford, Kevin (2009-07-23). "CHIKARA Review: Behind The 8 Ball". http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/video_reviews/109413/CHIKARA-Review:-Behind-The-8-Ball.htm. Retrieved 2009-10-20. 
19. ^ "Impact Results 3/5/09". WrestleView. http://www.wrestleview.com/news2009/1236330674.php. Retrieved 2009-08-06. 
20. ^ "WILKENFELD'S TNA IMPACT REPORT 2/5: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Spike TV broadcast". PWTorch. http://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_29805.shtml. Retrieved 2009-08-06. 
21. ^ ^{a b} "Robert Fuller profile". Online World of Wrestling. http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/r/robert-fuller.html. Retrieved 2009-08-07. 
22. ^ Keller, Wade (2009-08-28). "Keller's TNA Impact report 8/27: Results, star ratings, thoughts, observations, nitpicks, quotebook". PWTorch.com. http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/font_color_770000_KELLER_S_TAKE_font_11/article_34845.shtml. Retrieved 2009-10-20. 
23. ^ Martin, Adam (2009-09-11). "PWI Top 50 Female Wrestlers list". WrestleView. http://www.wrestleview.com/news2009/1252704430.php?style=dark. Retrieved 2009-09-12. 

External links

• Official Website
• TNA Wrestling.com profile
• Online World of Wrestling profile
• Interview from GENICKBRUCH.com
• Shannon Spruill at the Internet Movie Database

Daffney main page.