A one-time wrestling champion, fresh from a visit to San Diego’s Comic-Con, returned home to find his front door open and burglars inside.

Former WWE World Heavy-Weight Champion Bryan Danielson had just gotten back to his Phoenix home after his Comic-Con appearance when he and his wife Brie saw their front door open and then close.

Danielson, who wrestles under the name "Daniel Bryan", just reacted, he told NBC affiliate KPNX.

“That's how most people do, and you'll react how you were programmed to react or how your own individual personality is to react. My individual personality was to go after him," Danielson said.

He acted on instinct and chased down the suspect.

"I put him in a rear naked choke but not to, I didn't want to hurt him, I just wanted to make sure that he was subdued," he said.

The wrestling move used many times in the ring, was used to hold this criminal until police arrived.

Having just moved in ten days before, the Danielson’s didn’t have much in the home.

However there was one sentimental gift.

“My dad had just recently passed away and he got me this bracelet that said 'To the man that you've become and the son you'll always be,'” Danielson said.

