I saw this set up coming from last week.
Benoit has never lost to HHH in a title match (not sure if this is true, but they keep saying it is).
They started setting up this 'rift' last week. As soon as Benoit's week was up, I knew they werent going to give him the belt, but I was pretty sure they werent going to let HHH beat Benoit. They also arent going to start a Batista/HHH feud because HHH is going to keep the title until Orton wins the Royal Rumble (which will superceede the 'Orton cant get a title shot' stip) and takes it at WM21.
Also, Ortons everyone vs. Trips match was as obvious as all get out.. personally I was hoping they would only put 8 or so really good performers in there and have an elimination chamber. Battle Royals are boring as hell. Plus, if Orton is trying to screw over Trips, WHY would he put the heels in the match? Put nothing but baby faces in there and everyone teem up on trips then fight it out once he is eliminated...
the only thing I can think of is Orton might cost HHH the title to someone in the battle Royal (or to Y2J), pissing of Trips more than you can imagine, bringing the wrath of HHH down on Orton (but Trips would take the title back at the next PPV by crushing Y2J and giving him yet another weak title run)... hell, they could put the strap back on Benoit and run the 'HHH has never beaten Benoit for a title' angle that they were so carefull to save this week. Then Trips wins, gets his 80 billionth title, etc.