As far as everyone knows, this was the plan. Taker actually wanted Lesnar to break it a couple years ago. I would have rather it been Reigns. They teased the Shield/Taker fued and then just dropped it. This could have been the culmination.
I think he called for the end there because he knew...
Honestly, wouldn't surprise because something didn't look right. I know Taker's slow now, but his Mania matches don't usually look that sloppy and sluggish.
Trading for Bernier was a no-brainer deal, though. Frattin could be a nice role-player/tweener guy, but him and Scrivens and a 2nd for a goalie with legit star potential? He didn't give up much.