Reusing content versions

I published a version 8.0, wanted to add content that just became available, so I deleted/removed 8.0.
I want to re-publish version 8.0 adding the new content, but it keeps wanting to publish to version 9.0.
I need to be able to re-publish 8.0, why is the delete/remove not completely removing and deleting it so I can re-publish to 8.0?
What is holding/locking version 8.0 from allowing me to reuse it?