Source: Tampa Bay Online

Hulk Hogan returns to professional wrestling tonight, making his first live appearance on “TNA Impact” during a live three-hour special that will also feature Tampa-based radio personality Bubba the Love Sponge Clem.

Hogan, a longtime wrestling icon who lives in the Tampa Bay area, has been away from the ring the past few years to dabble in reality shows before he was sidetracked by a bitter divorce and his son’s involvement in a 2007 car crash that resulted in brain damage to his son’s friend.

Hogan recently joined Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and has been involved in “everything from looking at new talent to how we are shooting the show,” said Dixie Carter, the organization’s president.

Tonight’s special edition of TNA Wrestling begins at 8 p.m. on Spike TV and goes head-to-head against “WWE Monday Night Raw,” produced by Hogan’s former employer, World Wrestling Entertainment. “Raw” begins at 9 tonight on USA Network.

Syndicated radio star Bubba the Love Sponge Clem will be conducting backstage interviews during the TNA special. Bubba also joined Hogan in co-hosting a party Sunday at Universal’s CityWalk in Orlando to celebrate Hogan’s return to wrestling. That was taped for broadcast during tonight’s show.

Hogan, a close friend of Bubba’s, served as best man for Bubba’s 2007 wedding. Bubba has previously appeared with Hogan on the VH1 show “Hogan Knows Best” and as announcer for CMT’s “Hulk Hogan’s Celebrity Championship Wrestling.”

Also on the show tonight will be TNA champion “The Phenomenal” A.J. Styles, Kurt Angle, Mick Foley, Kevin Nash, “The Samoan Submission Machine” Samoa Joe, “The Boss” Bobby Lashley and “The Blueprint” Matt Morgan.

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