The rear main seal is located between the engine block and the transmission. There's simply not enough room to adequately access and maneuver the seal replacement without separating the transmission from the engine. Attempting to do so usually results in:
* Damage to the seal or surrounding components: You risk tearing the new seal during installation or damaging the crankshaft.
* Incomplete seal installation: This leads to leaks and requires repeating the (difficult) process.
* Damage to the engine or transmission: The close quarters make accidental damage highly probable.
While some specialized tools and techniques *might* be used to attempt this, the time saved is far outweighed by the increased risk of damage and the potential need for more extensive repairs later. Pulling the transmission, while more time-consuming, is the proper and much safer method.