I don't think it was a work. Smackdown spoilers:
On Raw they announced Bryan vs. Ambrose for Smackdown, but it got changed to an Orton vs. Bryan rematch. Sounds like Triple H was really concerned, but then they decided to use it as a story line where they stopped the match because he's the weak link. That's the only explanation I could think of for them making such a short notice change to the main event. 
