They can't prolong the "chase" any longer without severely pissing off the fans. They've already done having him lose his #1 contendership twice.

I still buy that the original plan was to give him the belt a few months ago, but giving him time off to be with his newborn just delayed things.

He has to have the match, be the first guy to kick out of the One-Winged Angel, eventually hit him with the Lariat, send everyone home happy, and then celebrate in his home state the next Dynamite.