This wasn't a single mods decision. We all agreed that the thread wasn't worth salvaging vs creating a new thread. It is the problem of the old timers here they like big monolithic threads vs creating threads for differing topics like a forum is meant for.
It is a catch 22 on rage, old users like big singular threads which are a PITA for new users to jump into. So as a mod who do you cater to? and how far do you allow things to go before you step in. A lot of times the thread will self correct before a mod even gets a chance to pop in and it is when that doesn't happen we have to step in and deal with the situation.