The upcoming horror-wrestling film Dark Match brings Mo Jabari into the spotlight, blending his in-ring experience with his first major acting role. Starring alongside Chris Jericho and Steven Ogg, Jabari steps into a world where wrestling meets survival horror. The film, set to premiere on Shudder on January 31, marks a new chapter in his career.
Mohammed Adan, also known by his ring names Mo Jabari, Kid Chocolate and Greg Lester, is a professional wrestler from Calgary. He began his wrestling career in 2017, training under Lance Storm at the Storm Wrestling Academy. As of January 2025, Mo Jabari has been active in the wrestling industry for approximately eight years and has made enhancement appearances for WWE and AEW, including the various promotions around Western Canada.
I recently got an opportunity to interview with Jabari.
To make the interview happen was a small hassle as he was preoccupied with the filming of a music video; though our schedules were clashing, he was kind enough to offer me to come on the set of the video to finish the interview. He mentioned, “I’m working on a music video that has Bret Hart involved as well.” The Toronto studio was decently sized, with a place upstairs where several other wrestlers present gathered to watch old-school WWF matches featuring Triple H and The Rock while getting their makeup done. Despite his imposing physique, Jabari was approachable and easygoing.
As I set up, he pulled up a chair for me, joking that if the interview didn’t go well, he might have to use it in a match. His warmth and humor immediately put me at ease. We talked about our shared love of wrestling, reminiscing about classic matches and the legends who shaped the sport. Throughout our conversation, he was honest, humble, and genuinely engaged, making sure I felt comfortable. His passion for wrestling and respect for its history was clear in how he spoke and interacted with those around him.
Jabari landed the role in Dark Match through wrestling legend Bret Hart, who introduced him to the film’s producers. Originally considered for a part himself, Hart recommended Jabari, leading to a FaceTime audition that secured his casting. The transition from wrestling to acting proved physically demanding. One scene required him to take nearly 100 slams over six hours—on sand instead of a ring mat. Another scene, filmed in a candle-lit room, had him wearing a mask and sheet while remaining completely still for two hours. “I nearly passed out multiple times,” he said.
In the movie, a small-time wrestling company accepts a well-paying gig in a backwoods town only to learn, too late, that the community is run by a mysterious cult leader with devious plans for their match. Jabari plays Enigma Jones.
The eerie atmosphere of Dark Match felt familiar to Jabari, reminding him of real-life experiences from the wrestling circuit. “Some towns had that same unsettling feeling,” he said. He likened the survival aspect of the film to action movies where characters must fight their way out. “It reminded me of that Jason Statham movie where you had to win races to get out of jail. Here, you have to win matches to survive.”
Dark Match also reunited Jabari with Jericho, whom he previously wrestled in AEW when the promotion came through Alberta. “I grew up watching him, then I wrestled him, and now we’re on set together,” he marveled. He also connected with Ogg, a fellow Calgarian and longtime wrestling fan. “Steven’s a big wrestling fan. We’d trade stories about Stampede Wrestling and our favorite legends.”
With Dark Match set for release, Jabari views it as a stepping stone toward expanding his career beyond the ring. He remains active in wrestling while exploring new opportunities in entertainment, including a music video project with Hart.
“There’s a lot happening in both wrestling and acting. You’ll be seeing more from me soon,” he vowed.
TOP PHOTO: Mo Jabari as Enigma Jones in Dark Match.
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