Rosemary Talks Impact Wrestling, Being a Role Model, WWE Mae Young Classic

The women's revolution in pro wrestling has never been stronger, and Impact Wrestling star Rosemary is using her unique character and superior in-ring skills to destroy any misconceptions about what female wrestlers should look and act like.

Rosemary paints her face and resembles a character straight out of a horror movie. For wrestling fans who didn't lean on their looks or popularity growing up, the Demon Assassin provides a role model that proves hard work and dedication are the true keys to success.

In a recent interview promoting Impact Wrestling on Thursday nights on Pop TV, Rosemary spoke to Ring Rust Radio about her hunt for the Knockouts Championship, being a role model to younger wrestling fans and the WWE's Mae Young Classic.

While Rosemary has only held the Knockouts Championship one time since joining Impact Wrestling in early 2016, her reign lasted 266 days, the second longest in the history of the company.

Losing the title at Slammiversary to Sienna was a blow to Rosemary and her fans, but there is no doubt that she will be back in the championship hunt and carry the belt again soon enough, regardless of who she has to beat to get it back.

"Yes, with Sienna, we did lose our title and that may deter some people, but not us. Sienna has fallen to the Demon Assassin before, twice even. Most recently on the live One Night Only for the Knockouts title in January," Rosemary said. "The fact that she learned how to defeat us, the fact that she evolved, the fact that she went to a place perhaps she wouldn't consider to go before and used tactics that she hadn't considered and learned to defeat us, we respect that absolutely. It elevates her game, which means we have to elevate ours, and that is exciting, is it not?"

There is no discounting the talent Sienna possesses in the ring and the character she has developed, but Rosemary is arguably the most marketable talent on the roster and should be around the championship scene consistently.

One of the reasons Rosemary has become a cornerstone of the Impact Wrestling brand is her unmistakable look and character. In a professional wrestling landscape where women were once used only as eye candy by promoters, Rosemary has developed a persona that children and teenagers who don't fit the mold can look up to as an inspiration.

Being a role model is a job Rosemary takes very seriously.

"We grew up differently and we grew up playing sports. Perhaps a social outcast? Definitely not a popular girl," Rosemary said. "To be a role model, to know the other children who aren't cookie cutters and don't fit the mold, who aren't cheerleaders, aren't the popular kids, who are a little bit bookish, nerdy, a little bit off-centered, who enjoy painting their faces, who enjoy horror movies rather than chick flicks."

"There is a role model for you, and we welcome you into The Hive," Rosemary continued. "The Hive is a collection of all sorts of social misfits from all walks of life, all colors and creed and countries, it doesn't matter. If you identify with what we are doing you are welcome here."

In recent months, Rosemary has been fighting for the side of good against Sienna and her evil empire, which makes the Demon Assassin the perfect protagonist in today's wrestling landscape. With character depth and an aura that blends reality with make-believe, Rosemary is to Impact Wrestling what Bray Wyatt is to WWE.

What separates Rosemary from other top athletes in the business, though, is that she is proud to see people succeed instead of becoming jealous of them. With the rise in popularity of women's wrestling, Rosemary is watching events like WWE's Mae Young Classic and rooting for her female cohorts to make the most of the massive opportunity.

"Exposure is never a bad thing. We know several of those girls in the Mae Young Classic and they deserve a spotlight. All of them deserve the chance," Rosemary said. "In this world, in any facet of this world or really any business, especially in professional wrestling as it does have the more public exposure, it is about having that door open, having that opportunity and having that ball passed to you."

"You may have all the tools to run with it, but unless someone gives it to you, you may never get that opportunity," Rosemary continued. "All of those girls were just waiting for that opportunity. When it is given to them, they are going to run with it and show that it was the right choice to be given that ball."

Rosemary herself was given a major opportunity to show what she could do and has now main-evented an episode of Impact Wrestling and was in the co-main event of the recent Slammiversary pay-per-view.

In addition to earning marquee spots on the card, Rosemary has also been involved in several of the best matches over the last year, challenging Jade in a Six Sides of Steel match, a Monster's Ball match and a Last Knockout Standing match.

With Rosemary only recently going out on her own without the support of Decay, there is still so much left for her to accomplish. As long as Impact Wrestling continues to give her the opportunity to shine, Rosemary will continue to be one of the best all-around talents in the business.

For more wrestling talk, listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot topics or catch the latest episode in the player above (some language NSFW).