I think Cruz was honestly trying to get us into a repeat of the 1876 election and the election "deal", as evidenced by his "two week investigation" proposal after the SCOTUS bid failed.

That would have left options open for the swamp to wheel and deal on a couple open issues: take our deal, we find no irregularities and Joe's in; don't take it and we'll keep dragging this thing through the state courts so no one gets anything.