Mick Foley Recalls Struggle to Contact Daffney Unger as She Dies Aged 46
Wrestling legend Mick Foley has paid tribute to his friend Daffney Unger in a touching post, following her sudden death at the age of 46.
While a cause of death has yet to be revealed, Unger, real name Shannon Spruill, sparked widespread concern on Wednesday night, when she spoke of harming herself during an Instagram Live session.
In an unsettling video shared on Twitter, Unger—affectionately known to fans as the "Scream Queen"—was seen hysterically crying as she said: "Do you guys not understand that I am all alone? Do you not understand that?"
Several hours after Unger's death was confirmed on Thursday by her "absolutely heartbroken" mother, Jean Tookey Spruill, former WWE star Foley took to Facebook to share a poignant tribute dedicated to the star, entitled "REMEMBERING DAFFNEY."
Recalling the distressing video shared on Wednesday night, he wrote: "Once I became aware of the video, I did what I could to reach out to her – but like everyone else who tried calling, my attempt went straight to voicemail.
"I heard from several of her friends who told me they too were unable to reach her. Today, I woke to the terrible news that Daffney was no longer with us."
"It's a dark day for anyone who saw Daffney in WCW from 1999–2001, in Impact from 2009-2011, or on any independent events that were fortunate enough to have her," he went on. "Daff was a breath of fresh air, an original, with a unique look and persona that was far ahead of her time.
"Her work with crowbar and David Flair in WCW was so much fun to watch, and when she arrived in Impact, I felt she was truly one of the most intriguing characters in the business.
"She was able to get her foot in the door with the 'Governor' character, a take off on former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, but eventually, had a chance to shine in her own indelible way—as Daffney, the scream queen, with the look commentator Tazz labeled 'Zombie hot.'"
Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.
"It's really important that we try to learn from her death—coming just a little over two years since Ashley Massaro took her own life," Foley noted. "In the aftermath of that tragedy, the WWE women banded together and promised to be there for each other and support each other should any of them fall into despair.
"I know Daffney had some really good friends, people who really cared about her—who would have done their very best to help her, had they known just how much she was hurting... In the tiny little bit I saw last night's video, I heard Daffney talking about being all alone. Had she only known that she was not completely alone, that there was help out there, and people loved her, she might still be with us.
"It's going to be very hard to think of Daffney without thinking of the incredibly sad way she left us. But I do hope that we will all do something to remember the way she lived, as well—not only the ingenuity and spirit with which he inhabited her character, but for the kindness and compassion she displayed to others."
Concluding his heartfelt post, Foley wrote: "May God Bless you, Shannon, and may you rest in peace. You were such an important figure in wrestling, ahead of your time, giving more to the wrestling business than it ever gave to you, inspiring others who didn't look like the women of the day to follow a path you helped pave. But you were more [than] a wrestler...you made miracles happen. #RIPDaffney."
After the video of Unger in distress was shared on Twitter, Foley wrote on the micro-blogging platform: "If anyone has a way of reaching Daffney Unger, or knows her address, please help out. She's in a bad personal place and is threatening to harm herself. My phone call went straight to voicemail."
On learning of her death the following day, he tweeted: "I'm so very sorry to learn of Daffney's passing. A terrible loss for her family, friends and wrestling. She was far ahead if her time in our business. #RIPDaffney If you're hurting and thinking of doing harm to yourself, please know that help is available. 800-273-8255."
Unger's friend and fellow pro wrestler Lexie Fyfe also shared her own tribute to the star, telling the New York Daily News: "I loved watching her perform. She was a born performer who was made for wrestling.
"When she had to retire due to injuries, she missed it immensely. She'll be missed as a performer, too, not just as a friend, but mostly as a friend."
Fyfe also told the publication of Unger: "This last act, I don't want it to define her. She would always want people to reach out for help and to check in on those they're worried about. We're going to miss her."
A statement on WWE's website read, in part: "Shortly after making a name for herself, Daffney made history in May of 2000 when she became only the second woman to hold the WCW Cruiserweight Championship.
"With her signature scream and ever-changing style, Daffney would go onto become a mainstay of the independent scene for more than two decades. WWE extends its condolences to Spruill's family, friends and fans."
If you have thoughts of suicide, confidential help is available for free at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call 1-800-273-8255. The line is available 24 hours every day.
