There is one huge problem with that theory. The Gym episode had already been written, recorded and animated before the Earthquake. They would have had no time to make a last minute change to that episode. This means that this was the plan in the first place Earthquake or not.I think I know they change Team Rocket back to theyre old selves. Most of their actions in BW included destructions of some sort. And people in Japan probably won't think about destuctions now. However I think they probably will do other things than trying to catch Ash's pikachu. Their missing boss will probably be of their tasks? And Rocket VS Plasma showdowns could find place without destructions of the terrains.
Anyway I'd like to remind everyone of the first four episodes of Best Wishes. Team Rocket hadn't been given their main assignments yet and were focusing attention on Pikachu. I believe that they will be like they were in those episodes.