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Showing posts with label Daffney. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Daffney. Show all posts

March 10, 2013

Daffney's Lawsuit Against TNA Settled


The lawsuit brought by former TNA star Shannon "Daffney" Spruill against TNA stemming from payment of medical bills for injuries occurred during her run with the company was settled Friday morning during a mediation session scheduled just prior to the two sides going to court for a hearing.

Sources indicate that the hearing would have seen the presiding judge rule over whether a portion of the case that saw Spruill alleging that she was an employee, not an independent contract (as TNA had claimed) would be separated from the rest of the lawsuit and seen as a different case altogether. Once that hearing was set, TNA approached Spruill's side about mediating a settlement.

TNA executives Dean Broadhead and Steven Small had been deposed in the lawsuit and Dixie Carter was scheduled to be deposed on 4/3.

With the out of court settlement, the case is now finished and the independent contractor vs. employee issue will not be heard in court.

Spruill's lawsuit was based around her injuries at the Bound for Glory 2009 PPV, which according to the documents exceeded over $26,000. In the lawsuit, Spruill alleged that TNA made a $600 payment on the bill. When Spruill received a letter requesting payment for the balance, she alleged Terry Taylor told her that the company would pay the remainder. TNA did not, leading to Spruill receiving several more demands for payment. Spruill also claimed that one letter stated that TNA had declined to pay the balance, citing her as an "independent contractor", despite what she had been told by Taylor. Taylor is no longer with TNA.

The lawsuit also alleged that TNA's Texas attorney (Texas is where their parent company is based) had advised the company to delay payment in an attempt to eventually settle the debt for a smaller amount. Spruill's side claimed to have proof of this via emails forwarded by Taylor to Spruill. As a result of this, and the Texas TNA attorney negotiating a smaller payment with the medical provider, Spruill's side had the attorney named as a witness in the case and had him deposed as well

The lawsuit alleged that TNA did eventually settle the claim in the amount of $8,000 but not before Spruill had to deal with being called by creditors and receiving additional material demanding payment for over a year. The company also made a $9,556.00 payment made for medical treatment needed after Spruill was injured at an April 2010 Impact taping in Orlando, FL against Rosie Lottalove.

Spruill, who had remained mostly silent on the lawsuit, commented this morning on the settlement, writing on Twitter:

"I’d like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all the love and support over the past two years. I appreciate so much that you recognize the HUGE injustice that is being done to Professional Wrestlers throughout the industry. I hope my case has opened up a few blind eyes and maybe now we, the wrestlers who put our bodies on the line every time we step in the ring, are one step closer to being provided with medical coverage and all the benefits that go along with being a true employee and not an independent contractor."

source: pwinsider.com

March 7, 2013

Daffney/TNA Situation Could Change Wrestling


It has been around nine months since we had any update on Daffney‘s Workers’ Compensation claim against TNA, but Ringbelles has secured some information on the situation, and it could potentially lead to one of the biggest shake-ups in wrestling history. It could cause ripple effects not just through TNA, but also to WWE.

It was always telling that Daffney (Shannon Spruill) filed a Workers’ Comp lawsuit instead of a personal injury one, which could have been another avenue for her to be compensated for concussions which she suffered on TNA shows and effectively ended her in-ring career. The reason for that is because she wants to test the claim that wrestlers are “independent contractors”, which means that they are responsible for their own medical insurance and do not enjoy the same sort of protection and benefits that a regular employee would – similar to the lawsuit that Raven, Mike Sanders and Chris Kanyon filed against WWE back in 2008 – but was dismissed, partly because their claims were barred by statute of limitations.

TNA is to mediate with Spruill tomorrow – if a settlement is not reached, the case will go to court, when it will then be up to a judge to see if wrestlers under a contract, booked to appear at places on certain dates, be told to execute a planned outcome and not have the freedom to accept booking elsewhere are truly “independent contractors” or if they should be classified as employees. Rather than just looking to satisfy her medical bills which have left her out of pocket, Spruill’s case could create a legal judgement which means all wrestlers in places like WWE and TNA could legally have to become staff.

July 16, 2012

Daffney Speaks On Her Lawsuit Against, TNA, Her Injuries, More


The following are highlights from a recent Diva-Dirt interview with Daffney:

On being pigeonholed into doing hardcore spots: "It started off as Abyss asking me to take the tacks in the match and I agreed, then I think it snowballed from there. I almost wish I hadn't been painted in such a light that I was just hardcore and that I couldn't deliver a good match in the ring. I feel like there's so much more to my ring work. I may not be the best technical wrestler in the world, but I felt like I had learned enough of my sport that I could deliver some good matches. I don't think I was ever taken seriously after that. It was like, 'She's the one that's going to go out there and Taylor [Wilde]'s going to jump from the stage and put her through a table, but we're not actually going to see a good match'. [...] Looking back in hindsight, I almost wish things didn't go that route and that we had just more straight-up matches. I think that might've been good for me in the long run."

The extent of her injuries: "I don't think people realize how badly I've been hurt. [...] I was there the night [in WCW] Goldberg kicked Bret [Hart] in the head and he had that crazy concussion. In the beginning of 2000, we were going to England for a tour and Bret was coming to do the tour with us and he was just going to be speaking. He said to me, we were on the bus talking, he said: 'I don't think I'll ever wrestle again'. I was like, wow. How many years has this man been wrestling? This is his entire life and he had a career-ending injury and he won't be able to do it anymore. [I thought] no, no, just give him some time. As time went on, he just never came back. I'm not comparing my career with his by any means -- he's an icon and he's Bret Hart -- but as time has gone on, I don't think I'm going to be able to wrestle anymore. I kind of had to think back on him telling me that, and be wise and stay away from the ring to accept it. It's really hard. I think if I got in the ring and took any more bumps, I wouldn't be able to function as a normal human being. It would just be too hard on my body."

Her lawsuit against TNA: "What you guys have read about the details that just came out not too long ago, all of that is true. People expected it to be resolved very quickly, but just know that we're doing everything we can to move it along as quickly as possible but it takes two sides. It's still ongoing."
Check out the complete interview online at Diva-Dirt.com.

June 21, 2012

Separating Rumor and Reality from the TNA vs. Daffney Lawsuit, Where the Lawsuit Stands

January 17, 2012

Update on Worker's Comp Claim by Former TNA Knockout


Former TNA Knockout Daffney (Shannon Spruill) says she is proceeding with a Worker's Compensation claim against TNA stemming from injuries suffered in 2010. "Great day today. Just wanted to let everybody know that the Workers' Comp Claim is going well. Although it's been a long road, I continue to keep my head up. Hoping for some good results," Daffney tweeted Tuesday.

source: pwtorch.com

May 30, 2011

Rumor Mill - TNA Tries to Cover Up Reason for Terry Taylor's Departure


TNA Wrestling's announcement on May 23 that Terry Taylor, Director of Talent Relations, made the decision to leave the organization, is reportedly a cover excuse.

The latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that Taylor was fired by the organization on May 20. It is believed that he was let go due to allegations made against him in a lawsuit filed by a former performer.

The report adds that it may not necessarily be Shannon Spruill's (a/k/a Daffney) lawsuit against the organization, although his name was implicated.

Taylor and creative writer Vince Russo pressured Daffney into performing a spot at the October 18, 2009 pay-per-view event Bound for Glory in which she would go through a board covered with barbed wire, reasoning that it was important for the ongoing feud between Abyss and Mick Foley. Daffney, who was hesitant on the idea, was assured that she would be fine and taken care of. She agreed to perform the spot, which resulted in her being chokeslammed from the ring apron by Abyss onto a board covered with barbed wire. She suffered a concussion taking the maneuver and was taken to an Orlando area hospital via ambulance. Furthermore, Spike TV wouldn't allow TNA to air the spot during iMPACT! due to their policy on men-on-women violence.

Daffney's trip to the emergency room resulted in a substantial medical bill, which Taylor stalled TNA from paying and ultimately was not. The lawsuit also claims she was pressured to continue performing after suffering two additional concussions. She suffered a concussion after being hit on the head with a toolbox by Tara following their match on the February 18, 2010 episode of iMPACT!. On April 20, 2010, she was injured in a dark match against an obese green worker by the name of Miss Betsy and was taken to an Orlando area hospital, where she was diagnosed with a concussion, as well as a deeply bruised sternum and a severe stinger.

Chief Financial Officer Dean Broadhead will oversee contractual matters while former WWE executive Bruce Prichard will handle Taylor's remaining duties.

March 15, 2011

Former Knockout Files Claim Against TNA; Contract Not Renewed


Former TNA Knockout Daffney via Twitter:

"Yesterday my picture was taken down off of the TNA roster page. My contract expires today and TNA did not renew it. I do not know if it has anything to do with it, but I've filed a Workers Comp claim against them for injuries I've sustained in the ring and my lawyers said to not go into anymore details."

September 12, 2010

PWI Female 50 2010


1) Michelle McCool
2) Angelina Love
3) Mercedes Martinez
4) Cheerleader Melissa
5) Eve Torres
6) Madison Rayne
7) Beth Phoenix
8) Mickie James
9) MsChif
10) Maryse
11) Tara
12) Sara Del Rey
13) Gail Kim
14) Awesome Kong
15) Madison Eagles
16) Sarita
17) Alicia Fox
18) Taylor Wilde
19) Daffney
20) Hamada

Click here for 21-50.

There is also a ‘One to Watch’ feature on Washington, DC's own Mia Yim.

July 17, 2009

Daffney at Home in TNA

Daffney is the toast of TNA and is happy to feel appreciated again.

Mick Foley recently wrote on his blog that "Daffney's Got it Going On" and put her promo and ring work over strongly.

"I'm his little, scary, creepy, life-sized doll," Daffney told SLAM! Wrestling and then laughed. "That is the most amazing thing I've ever experienced in my entire career. What an honour, to have someone like that say something like that about you."...More?

source: the slam

June 22, 2009

Daffney Gets Thrown on to the Tacks by Taylor Wilde at TNA Slammiversary 2009

June 3, 2009

ROH Champion Jerry Lynn scheduled to face Sean "X-Pac" Waltman

ROH Champion Jerry Lynn is scheduled to face Sean "X-Pac" Waltman on the June 19th F1rst Wrestling event in Minneapolis, MN. at First Avenue. The show will also feature TNA Knockout Daffney, Horace the Psychopath, and the final wrestling match for Cody O'Neill, as he faces Arik Cannon. For more information on the show, visit the promotion's Facebook.com.

source: prowrestling.net

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