"why would they perform a reverse split when they can nullify all of the existing shares, and issue brand new ones?"
R/S or reorganizing by way of nullifying these shares and issuing new ones (which I don't think they can do)...either way we as common shareholders are wiped out.
I'm really not sure, but if they do a reverse split, would they then be able to give the Watley Group stock in the company for the loan to get them up and running? Wouldn't this keep the share holders in the game?