Sounds like you had your hands full! Of fluid!
Geeez!
I've never really had that big of a problem with getting spewed by tranny fluid!
My secret is a combination of a 40" pan and a 2'x2' drain pan.
First you loosen up all the pan bolts with the 40 underneath. Then remove both sides of bolts leaving just 1 in the front and three in the back.
The you cable tie up the 2x2 drain pan underneath so there is enough room to get your hand in from the back to get the front bolt and then you pull it.
Then let drain and remove the remainder of the bolts.
Then wait 1-2 hours and then come back to the project.
Glad you got it done now it's my turn!