Why did WWE eliminate the midcard titles in 2001-2002?

It's something that started in late 2001, the USA title was unified with the IC title, then in July 2002, RVD unified the European title with the IC title, and once again with the Hardcore title the very next month. In the span of about nine months, they went from having four midcard titles to just one.

I think it made sense for them to do this, we're in a similar state today where we have too many titles floating around. But at the same time, they had the brand extension just starting up, for both brands to be successfully separate, they each needed a world, midcard, and tag title. When all was said and done, Smackdown only had a world title, they created a tag title very quickly, but were left without a midcard title until mid 2003 when Eddie Guerrero was crowned USA Champion.

Raw had all the titles it needed, but then the IC champion, Kane, started a feud with Triple H, the world champion. In October of 2002, the IC title was unified with the world title, leaving both brands without a single midcard title until Summer 2003 when the IC and USA titles were reactivated.

It really just didn't make any sense, both brands had a mass amount of established performers, there was no reason each brand would be unable to sustain a midcard title.