The Bizarre Connection Between Big Boy Restaurant and the Historic WrestleMania III Held in Michigan

There's no doubt about the strong connection between between professional wrestling and the state of Michigan. From being the home of ring legends like the Original Sheik, Bobo Brazil, George 'The Animal' Steele and Rob Van Dam to hosting the breakthrough WrestleMania III at the Pontiac Silverdome, the connection between sports entertainment and Michigan is undeniable.

Here is an absolutely obscure connection between Big Boy Restaurants and the 1987 spectacular.

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Many Michiganders of a certain age will likely refer to the hamburger restaurant chain as "Elias Brothers Big Boy" to differentiate the Big Boys of the Great Lakes region from sother ownership groups with franchises elsewhere in the country.

In addition to the Big Boy chain, Elias Brothers, based in suburban Detroit, also controlled the concessions at the Pontiac Silverdome. And that's where Big Boy and Hulk Hogan cross paths.

READ MORE: This Northern Michigan Border Town Once Hosted Smelt Wrestling

With a reported 93 thousand in attendance that day at the Silverdome there was a mint to be made.

The Facebook page WWF Old School recently posted an accounting memo between Elias Brothers and WWF parent company Titan Sports listing the revenue split on just one concession item: programs.

Just over 26,500 programs were sold at the event. At $5 a pop, the sale in programs alone that day grossed $132,585. Here's how the money was split:

• $5099.43 to the State of Michigan via Sales Tax
• $38,245.67 to Elias Brothers who received a 30% commission on sales
• $89,239.90 to WWF/Titan Sports

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That kind of money for just the programs. Imagine the food and beverage sales.

For Elias Brothers and Big Boy, their championship win had nothing to do with Hulk Hogan bodyslaming Andre the Giant and everything to do with an incredible concessions racket.

Oh, and if you've never seen it, here's the full main event from the show: