It has nothing to do with "loving The Miz", when it comes down to it it would have made zero sense for Lawler to win the belt. He wins it, then loses it the next night, why even bother? It really wouldn't have meant much and it just would have made Miz look tremendously weak before he goes onto headline WrestleMania and as the champion going into WrestleMania, he should be the one looking strong.
Lawler may not have won, but he looked good, he looked strong and that all he needed, he didn't need to win the title.
EDIT: I don't know SM, but the more I see it... the more I think it's someone other than 'Taker. Something just looks very off. Probably just my mind playing tricks on me though.