All Elite Wrestling personalities Jeff and Dori Parker, known to fans as Angelo Parker and Ruby Soho, are launching a new business venture in Mishawaka, Indiana. In an interview with ABC57 in South Bend, the couple provided details about their new wrestling-themed board game cafe, “Victory Roll,” which is set to open its doors this Thursday. The business, co-owned with Lisa Weimer, was created to fill a unique niche in the local community. “Over the last few years, we really wanted to bring something to Mishawaka that was unlike anything that was here,” Dori Parker told the station.
The influence of their careers in professional wrestling is a core component of the cafe’s identity. Jeff Parker explained to ABC57 that they felt it was important to acknowledge the industry that provided them the opportunity to start this business. “I think wrestling afforded my wife and I a life and ability to go into something like this,” he said. “And I think it would be a disservice not to pay homage to the thing that that really helped us get here”. The cafe’s menu reflects this theme, featuring items such as the “Stone Cold Brew” coffee.
Victory Roll is designed to appeal to a wide array of patrons, boasting a large “Game Library” with hundreds of board games. Co-owner Lisa Weimer gave ABC57 a tour of the different sections tailored for various groups. One area is dedicated to social and party games for large groups looking for a fun time. The cafe is also family-friendly, featuring a dedicated kids’ room with classic toys like Lite-Brite and games that parents may have grown up with.
For fans of more immersive gaming experiences, the cafe includes a specially designed room for role-playing games. “We have a little dungeon in here,” Weimer explained during the interview. “So if anybody wants to play Dungeons and Dragons, Pathfinder, any RPG”. This variety ensures that the establishment can cater to casual players, families, and dedicated hobbyists alike.
The cafe incorporates several unique features tied to competition and customer experience. One of the most distinct elements is the “Meeples Champion” belt, a custom championship title awarded to game winners. “When you sit down here with your friends, your family, when you win, you get to rub it in a little bit,” Jeff Parker said. “You are now the Meeples champion and you get to brag about your win”. Additionally, each table has a flag system; a green flag indicates a need for service, while a red flag allows patrons to play or work without interruption.
The Parkers are launching Victory Roll while on maternity leave from AEW, having made their pregnancy announcement on live television last year. They are now balancing raising their family with establishing their new business. Dori Parker, who noted she has been a professional wrestler for nearly 15 years, emphasized the importance of a comfortable customer experience, telling ABC57 that the red flag system ensures that “until we see that red flag down, we will not disturb you”.
