NEW YORK, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- Columbia Records Group has partnered with the World Wrestling Enterprises to produce albums on behalf of the wrestling world.
The deal, according to Billboard.com, calls for three albums over two years, with an option to renew.
The first release, due out in January and titled "WWE Originals," will feature star wrestlers performing songs written primarily by Jim Johnston, a WWE staff songwriter.
The agreement is the second between the two entities. In 2002, Sony, a division of Columbia Records Group, issued one album for the organization, "WWF Forceable Entry," which sold 500,000 units. (The World Wrestling Federation has since changed its name to WWE following litigation with the World Wildlife Fund.)
A prior recording contract between the wrestling entertainment giant and Koch Entertainment, which produced five records featuring theme music played at wrestling events, resulted in more than four million copies sold.
Sony Music Distribution currently distributes the WWE's video products.
