It's about Hogan, brother...

This is definitely not a post I was expecting to write this early. Of course, you've heard the news by now about the passing of Hulk Hogan. Hogan looms large over Mitchell's Mess & More and those of us who are associated with them. I think something about Hogan has come up in conversation every single time we have gotten together, regardless if it's the full crew or just a couple of us. Hogan was large in life - he has to be the most recognizable face associated with professional wrestling over the last few decades. Love him or hate him, that cannot be denied. 

I was a Hulkamaniac back in the 1980s - I sat in the living room floor and watched his feuds with Andre the Giant, Randy Savage, Ultimate Warrior, Zeus, King Kong Bundy, etc etc. I even had the Hulk Hogan cardboard stand up: 

As time went on, my allegiance moved on to other wrestlers, but Hogan was never completely forgotten. I was happy to get to work Reid Flair's debut match in Charlotte on December 6, 2008. Reid teamed with his brother David (with Dad in their corner) vs. The Nasty Boys w/ Jimmy Hart. Hogan was the special guest referee. This was a huge match. There were four photographers at ringside, two guys running video cameras-ringside space was at a premium. There are plenty of videos of this event online, here's one - and that's my hand grabbing Hart's megaphone at 1:12.  

I've been working on a post with photos from 2004. Today's event though had me fast forward. So click here and take a look at Hulk Hogan in Charlotte, NC in 2008.