Rudy Panucci On Pop Culture

Remembering Daffney, Plus Stuff To Do

The PopCulteer
September 3, 2021

We have very sad news to kick off this week’s PopCulteer.

Former WCW and TNA wrestler, Daffney Unger (real name Shannon Spruill), took her own life Wednesday night after years of physical ailments and concussion-related depression.

Back in 2008, at one of Gary Damron’s ASW Wrestling shows, we met Daffney and she agreed to appear on episode 42 of Radio Free Charleston. She did our animation intro. It only took a minute to record, and was only on the show for a few seconds, but she took the time to email me later and thank me for having her on the show.  She later sent nice emails about subsequent episodes of RFC, and was very positive and supportive of what we were doing.

It was a simple, kind gesture, but it’s more than most of the bands we’ve had on the show have done, and it meant a lot to me, and showed me what a sweet, caring person Daffney was.

I was alarmed Thursday morning when I saw the drama unfolding on Twitter.  Daffney had posted several disturbing and obviously suicidal videos on Instagram Live, and her family and authorities had been notified. Thursday afternoon it was confirmed that they did not get to her in time, and she was gone. This was just tragic and so sad. I wanted to share my brief connection with Daffney because I know that she treated everyone in such a kind and generous manner, and I think that is how we should remember her.

PopCult offers our condolences to her family, friends, loved ones and many fans.

If you’re in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or use the Crisis Text Line by texting “NAMI” to 741471

STUFF TO DO

Aside from what I’m posting below, there are tons of things in and around Charleston to keep you busy this late-summer weekend.  To be honest, I am seriously considering suspending this feature during the surge in the pandemic. I have really mixed feelings about this. At the moment, I do not feel safe going out anywhere. That’s just me. I’m immunocompromised, and I’ve been pushing my luck recently, so I’m personally going back into hermit mode for the time being.

However, there are some cool things happening in and near Charleston. So since it’s Labor Day Weekend, I’m going to do a rundown of Stuff To Do this week.

You should know the drill by now. The pandemic is still not over.  In fact, it’s getting  way worse again. If you are fully vaccinated and ready to do your best to stay safe, you should go check this stuff out. Outdoor shows were okay for vaccinated folks to go maskless, but maybe not at the moment. Indoor shows leave you at the mercy of your fellow patrons, and with the Delta variant surging, why risk any exposure? I know there are folks who hate the idea of wearing masks, even if they’re not vaccinated. Those people are why you should wear a mask.

If anybody gives you grief over wearing a mask…get the hell out of there. It’s not safe. Nobody wants to be the last person to die of COVID.

So use your common sense and stay safe…and support the local scene.

That is this week’s PopCulteer. Stay safe, be good to one another, check this blog for fresh content every day, and don’t set off fireworks this weekend. Only careless, self-centered idiots do that.

1 Comment

  1. Thomas Wheeler

    Very sad news about Daffney. Thank you for sharing that.

Leave a Reply

© 2024 PopCult

Theme by Anders NorenUp ↑