Randy Orton and Damien Sandow win big at WWE Money in the Bank

Orton: plucked the WWE Championship Money in the Bank briefcase in Philadelphia

The Viper defeated Daniel Bryan, CM Punk, Sheamus, Christian and the returning Rob Van Dam in a high-octane Ladder Match in Philadelphia on Sunday night, enabling him to fight for the WWE Title at any time of his choosing - for up to one year.

However, Bryan and Punk came within inches of grabbing the sought-after briefcase at a packed-out Wells Fargo Center before their hopes were quashed by Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel and Paul Heyman respectively.

Bryan shellacked his fellow grapplers with his array of dare-devil moves but just as he seemed set to scale the ladder he was sucker-punched by an on-rushing Axel, who had earlier defeated The Miz to keep the belt he won at the Payback pay-per-view around his waist.

Punk took umbrage at Axel's actions and levelled him with a Go To Sleep but as he set foot on the ladder's rungs, he was shockingly attacked with another ladder by his long-time friend and confidante Heyman.

The carnage allowed Van Dam, who had received a raucous reception on his first WWE appearance in over four years, the chance to climb towards the bounty that hovered above the ring, but Orton then struck, hitting the crowd favourite with an RKO and, finally, unclipping his prize.

Damien Sandow, meanwhile, won the World Heavyweight Championship Money in the Bank briefcase after tossing his tag-team partner Cody Rhodes off the ladder in the dying moments of the contest.

Plus, WWE Champion John Cena and World Heavyweight Titlist Alberto Del Rio maintained their straps following triumphs over Mark Henry and Dolph Ziggler respectively.

Cena forced his gargantuan foe to tap out to the STF and Del Rio defeated Ziggler via disqualification, after the latter's girlfriend, AJ Lee - a victor over Kaitlyn at Money in the Bank - cracked him over the head with her Divas Championship.

Elsewhere, Ryback ended his Sunday-night losing streak by pinning Chris Jericho, while, on the Money in the Bank pre-show, The Shield's Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns bested The Usos to retain their WWE Tag Team Titles.

For more on all these stories head to WWE.com, and don't forget to watch Raw and Smackdown every week on Sky Sports HD.