Former NWA Tag Team Champion Don Kernodle Passes Away At The Age Of 71

One of the cornerstone acts that helped define the precursor to Starrcade has passed away.

Former NWA Tag Team Champion Don Kernodle sadly passed away on Monday, May 17, 2021. He was 71 years old.

Don Kernodle was the tag team partner of Sergeant Slaughter during the final Conflict event in 1983. That event was held in the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina, and is widely considered to be the precursor to the first-ever Starrcade event, which is also considered to be the first-ever super card.

In the main event of that card, Ricky Steamboat and Jay Youngblood challenged Don Kernodle and Sergeant Slaughter for the NWA World Tag Team Championship.

The official NWA Twitter account announced the passing of Kernodle.

The National Wrestling Alliance is saddened to hear about the passing of multi-time NWA Tag Champion Don Kernodle. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
RIP Don pic.twitter.com/t7Dgd80PER

— NWA (@nwa) May 18, 2021

I’m so sorry to hear the news! My prayers for his brother Wally, his family, friends and fans! What a great guy! Always enjoyed seeing them at the events in the Carolinas! He’ll be missed! Always came to my Tuff Man competitions in Burlington as well. So sorry to hear the news! pic.twitter.com/yGBoJScQF9

— Bobby Fulton (@TheBobbyFulton) May 18, 2021

Fightful extends its condolences to Don Kernodle’s family, friends, and fans.