Stern seemed to think their matches were shoots, despite all logic suggesting otherwise (Whistler was pretty much outright trying to murder Muldoon, but Muldoon, despite being a uniformed police officer himself, never got Whistler into any hot water legally, and the New York Police Gazette that backed Muldoon heavily spoke very respectfully of Whistler after his death). I don't know if he still believes that, but if you don't - and you shouldn't - it really reads like wrestling's first great blood feud, and would've been an awesome thing to see.
Thanks S.L.L.
Would the Muldoon/Whistler match have been at the point that wrestling matches were still taking place on gravel or had it moved into a ring or some other type of contraption? A gravel match would be a great gimmick to bring back.