Orton is now basically Jack Swagger with better work rate. The top of the card is so weak that the world champ is putting people over.
I think they're just telling a story. As the losses mount, the Authority loses confidence in Orton and his ability to be the face of the company.
He'll retain at the chamber, and carry the belt to Mania where he'll face Batista and Daniel Bryan in a triple threat - the authority teasing confidence in Batista leading up to the event.
Late in the match, while Orton takes a Batista-bomb, Triple H slides the championship belt underneath the ropes, makes eye contact with Bryan, Bryan pauses and thinks about it, then aggressively grabs the belt, turns and lays Batista out with it while Stephanie distracts the referee. The ref turns, Bryan covers, 1-2-3, new world champion. Daniel Bryan sells out.
Next night on Raw, the Authority comes out and acts confused about the boos...explains to the WWE Universe that they were right all along, Daniel Bryan deserved to be the face of the company. The Universe spoke, and the Authority listened. The fans have everything they'd been begging for for months...Daniel Bryan is no longer being held back...he's been elevated to the top spot in the company...this is a time for celebration in the WWE universe...they introduce the new champ...
Bryan comes out to the ring in a suit, hair is cut, clean shave, beard is gone, teases a "yes" chant, then smiles and shakes his head "no" to the fans. He cuts a promo on the fans stating that they supported him for 2 years and it got him nowhere...he cut a deal with Triple H on Sunday and in 2 hours he was heavyweight champ of the world. From now on, Daniel Bryan doesn't need the fans, all Daniel Bryan needs is himself and the support of the Authority....
This begins the Daniel Bryan championship era...