There is a pretty established pattern that if a final decision would benefit Republicans the Supreme Court fast tracks it, and if they aren't willing...
Kind of easy to say when the favorit in question is Wolverine, who for decades has constantly been on teams or staring in solo adventures in one form...
My theory at the time was some other book they were previewing got axed (e.g. something Brevoort nixed for X-Men) and they had to hustle *something*...