Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend

Episode: The Prophet And The Reacharound
Date: February 12, 2026
Guests: Kevin Nealon, Christopher Hack (a.k.a. “The Prophet”)
Host: Conan O’Brien (with Sonam Obsessian and Matt Gourley)

Overview

This episode features Conan, Kevin Nealon, and fan guest Christopher Hack, a veteran luchador from Tucson, Arizona known as “The Prophet.” The conversation blends playful banter with deep dives into wrestling personas, the realities of life as an independent wrestler, Chris’s transition into entrepreneurship, and a side serving of punk rock. As always, Conan and Kevin riff with a blend of goofy improvisation and sincere curiosity, peppered with their trademark irreverence.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Introducing The Prophet (01:54–03:49)

• Conan and Kevin meet Christopher Hack, a fan calling in from Tucson, Arizona, who’s wrestled as a masked luchador named “The Prophet” for 27 years.
  • Kevin Nealon (02:28): "He wrestles himself."
• Christopher describes his character as having a mystique: quiet, straight to the point, not supernatural but intimidating.
  • Christopher Hack (03:19): “Very quiet. I'm just straight to the point. I get in the ring and do my job and just represent myself that way.”

Signature Move & Wrestling Persona (03:28–04:16)

• Chris’s finishing move is called “The Prophecy.”
  • Christopher Hack (03:31): "I hook their arm over mine. I pick them up sideways like a body slam. I swing their body out and sit down and slam it."
• Conan jokes about how this “prophecy” would liven up religious scripture references.

Wrestling Injuries & Rhabdomyolysis Experience (04:19–06:46)

• Chris details a serious injury: a broken elbow, and bizarrely, having suffered from rhabdomyolysis, a condition causing his urine to turn black due to muscle breakdown.
  • Christopher Hack (04:54): “My muscles were breaking down...my urine was black.”
• Conan and Kevin riff on how this could have been used as a wrestling gimmick (e.g., “The Squid” who sprays black sludge).

The Evolution of His Wrestling Character (07:28–08:38)

• Chris turned from hero (face) to villain (heel) late in his career and even fought a “false prophet,” portrayed by one of his trainees in a one-year storyline.
  • Christopher Hack (07:53): “The coolest thing I've done storyline wise was I had a feud against myself, the false prophet.”

Formative Influences: Mormon Roots and Three 6 Mafia (08:56–09:38)

• Chris grew up Mormon, which influenced his “Prophet” character, but also admits he was inspired by the rap group Three 6 Mafia and their record label, Profit Entertainment.

Wrestling Career Transition & New Entrepreneurship (09:45–12:15)

• After health issues, Chris hasn’t wrestled in two years but is still involved by renting out wrestling rings and moving into food entrepreneurship.
  • He’s started “Lucha Fresca Fight Fresh,” a line of aguas frescas drinks with bold branding and local-market sales.
  • Conan O’Brien (10:24): “I would drink Lucha Fresca…I could do an ad for you.”
• Discussion about packaging and marketing ensues, Kevin emphasizing the importance of visual appeal.

Spanish Proficiency and Product Marketing (12:31–12:39)

• Chris shares that he's been practicing Spanish for four years on Duolingo, partially tied to his business and wrestling identity.

Wrestling Retirement and Passing the Torch (17:03–17:18)

• Chris isn’t officially retired and still trains newer wrestlers, echoing the “never-say-never” ethos of wrestling.
  • Christopher Hack (17:06): “In the wrestling business, even if you retire, you don’t because you always get sucked back in.”

Conan’s Luchador Experience (18:18–19:40)

• Conan reminisces about his “Gallo Loco” (Crazy Rooster) gimmick on his Mexico City episode, which Chris praises.
  • Christopher Hack (18:54): “I've seen it multiple times. I love all your travel shows, and that episode means a lot to me.”

Favorite Wrestlers and Influences (21:21–22:39)

• Chris names Mick Foley (for his sacrifice and hardcore style) and Rey Mysterio Jr. (for inspiration as a luchador) as his favorites.
  • Conan and Kevin reflect that comedy and wrestling both involve identifying and following your idols.

Comic Influences and Monologue Style (22:08–23:23)

• Kevin and Conan share their own comedic heroes—Andy Kaufman, Albert Brooks, Steve Martin—relating their journeys to Chris’s wrestling path.

The Tag Team Hypothetical & “The Reacharound” (23:53–26:15)

• Chris asks what Conan and Kevin’s tag team persona would be:
  • Kevin proposes “The Amoebas,” morphing into “Siamese Twins” fighting in one costume, joking about tag moves called “the reacharound.”
  • Kevin Nealon (25:03): “We call that move, the little reach around.”
  • Sonam adds: they'd be the most hated duo due to constant bickering and bits.

Christopher’s Punk Rock Band & Creative Output (26:19–27:47)

• Chris is also the drummer for Tucson-based punk band “Planet Strict 9,” recording 20 tracks and performing locally.

Closing, Shout-outs, and Final Thoughts (27:53–28:03)

• Chris plugs his company “Rockstar Wrestling Alliance,” which combines his music and wrestling passions.
  • Christopher Hack (27:53): “I just want to shout out my company, it's called Rockstar Wrestling alliance, because I do music and wrestling and put it together.”
• Kevin quickly promotes his art (“KevinNealonArt.com”), evoking further friendly teasing.

Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Signature Move
  • Christopher Hack (03:31): “I pick them up sideways like a body slam. I swing their body out and sit down and slam it.”
• Conan on Comic Prophecy
  • Conan O’Brien (04:05): “Can I say something that is a greater prophecy than anything I’ve read in the Old or New Testament?... If those were the prophecies, people would really pay attention.”
• On Wrestling Injuries
  • Christopher Hack (04:54): “My muscles were breaking down...my urine was black.”
  • Kevin Nealon (04:54): “And that’s bad?”
• On Wrestling Personas and Storylines
  • Christopher Hack (08:04): “We had a feud against myself, the false prophet...we had a series of matches and were playing tricks.”
• On Life After Wrestling
  • Christopher Hack (17:06): “In the wrestling business, even if you retire, you don’t because you always get sucked back in.”
• On Founders’ Spirit
  • Christopher Hack (21:05): “Everything I do to this day is basically out of necessity to get me to the next spot in life where I’m trying to go.”
• Conan and Kevin’s Tag Team Gimmick
  • Kevin Nealon (25:03): “We call that move, the little reach around.”
  • Conan O’Brien (25:06): “Yeah, it’s called the reach around.”
• On Punk Ethos
  • Christopher Hack (27:03): “You could get down to that, but you might get hit in the face.”

Notable Timestamps for Segments

• 01:54 — Introduction to Christopher Hack
• 03:28 — Christopher describes signature move, The Prophecy
• 04:54 — The story of rhabdomyolysis and black urine
• 07:28 — Turning heel and the “false prophet” storyline
• 08:56 — Influence of Mormonism and Three 6 Mafia
• 09:54 — Chris’s transition into the food business with Lucha Fresca
• 17:03 — Wrestling retirement talk; teaching new wrestlers
• 18:42 — Conan’s lucha libre experience discussion
• 21:21 — Favorite wrestlers and inspiration
• 23:53 — Tag team hypothetical: The Amoebas/The Reacharound
• 26:19 — Chris and Planet Strict 9, his punk band
• 27:53 — Plugs: Rockstar Wrestling Alliance, Kevin Nealon’s art

Tone and Atmosphere

Chaotic, playful, and affectionate. Conan and Kevin regularly interrupt each other and their guest, sometimes getting sidetracked in bits that lampoon both themselves and the world of wrestling. While the jokes come rapid-fire, there is authentic admiration for Chris’s wrestling career and entrepreneurial spirit. Always, the absurdity is underlined with real respect for fans and passion projects.

Summary

In this episode, Conan, Kevin, and Sonam welcome Christopher Hack, a Tucson-based luchador known as “The Prophet.” Chris recounts his long wrestling career, health struggles, memorable storylines, and creative hustles, splitting time between building wrestling rings, launching a drinks business, and playing drums in a punk band. Conan and Kevin riff on wrestling gimmicks ("the reach around"), support Chris’s entrepreneurial journey, and swap stories about heroes—personal and professional. The episode is an energetic blend of genuine inspiration and warm, relentless comedy.