Tag: Nikki Garcia

Nikki Garcia to pay monthly child support to ex-husband, gains control of business trusts

Posted on by Josh Nason

Former (and possibly future) WWE wrestler Nikki Garcia will have to pay her ex-husband child support as part of their final divorce settlement that includes her gaining trusts in her business ventures.

Reported by TMZ on Friday, an November 2024 agreement recently signed off on by a judge has the former Nikki Bella and ex-husband Artem Chigvintsev coming to an agreement that will see her pay him $3500 a month in addition to $200,000 in total before the end of the year.

She is also financially responsible for their son’s speech therapy sessions, but they will split any other extracurricular activities and alternate major holidays.

Their son, Matteo, is four years old.

The ex-couple were in the news in August 2024 when Chigvintsev was arrested on domestic violence charges when led to their divorce later that year. The charges were eventually dropped to a lack of evidence and two had dueling restraining orders filed against each other.

Chigvintsev was a member of the Dancing with the Stars cast until the domestic violence allegations came out. It was reported there was a possibility he could return at some point.

For the last four months, Garcia and sister, Brie, talked about an in-ring WWE return, something Nikki said there were “significant discussions” about. Nikki made her return in this year’s Royal Rumble and continues to say she is going back to WWE to “do something.”

Nikki Bella: ‘The past few weeks have been just incredible’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Returning to WWE capped off an incredible few-week stretch for Nikki Bella.

Bella was an entrant in the women’s Royal Rumble on Saturday night, competing in her first match in three years. She was not officially announced for the Rumble in advance, but rumors of her WWE return had been prevalent after she attended Raw’s Netflix premiere episode last month.

Taking to Instagram, Bella reflected on the start she’s had to 2025. Adventures with her son Matteo, appearing on the cover of Us Weekly, starring in Peacock’s reality show “The Traitors,” and training for her return were some of Bella’s highlights. She thanked the Bella fans for their support, and Nikki said she missed her twin sister with Brie Bella not being in the Rumble.

“The past few weeks have been just incredible. So grateful! Adventures with Teo. [Philadelphia] Eagles victories. Training at the PC and [Natalya & TJ Wilson’s] @thedungeon2.0 To spending time with my Traitors fam and WWE fam. Goodness those girls in the locker room. To gracing the cover of US Weekly to shine light and love and remind you you are stronger than you think. Grateful for the journey and here for the moment,” Nikki wrote.

“THANK YOU BELLA ARMY FOR ALWAYS SHOWING UP AND SPREADING LOVE!!! You know what they say…. Haters Gonna Hate, BELLAS gonna Ball! I missed you Brie Mode.”

Nikki entered the women’s Rumble match at number 30 and made it to the final four before being eliminated by Nia Jax. In a post-show interview, Nikki named Charlotte Flair, Liv Morgan, Bayley, and Chelsea Green as some of the opponents she would be interested in facing going forward.

Report: There have been ‘significant discussions’ about Nikki Bella WWE return

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella could be returning to the ring for the first time since 2022.

WrestleVotes reported on Thursday that there have been “significant discussions” regarding Nikki returning to the ring for WWE. The report said there is a strong belief among multiple WWE sources that Nikki’s return will happen sooner rather than later:

We’re told significant discussions have taken place regarding a Nikki Bella return to action, with the strong expectation from multiple WWE sources that it will happen sooner rather than later.

Nikki’s most recent match was an appearance in the 2022 women’s Royal Rumble. This year’s Rumble is taking place in Indianapolis on Saturday, February 1.

For the first time since she and her twin sister Brie departed WWE in 2023, Nikki was back in the WWE fold at Raw’s Netflix premiere in Los Angeles earlier this month. She attended the episode and was shown on camera. Nikki said in a red carpet interview that she considers WWE her home. She also teased an in-ring return for the Bella Twins.

“Ohhh, will we ever see the Bella Twins back? Good question,” Nikki said. “You know, I just may be here looking at my competition soon. So — stay tuned.”

The Bellas were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2020. Nikki is currently starring in season three of the popular reality series “The Traitors” on Peacock. The show was filmed in 2024.

Nikki Bella: ‘WWE is home,’ comments on potential return

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Nikki Bella still considers WWE home — and she isn’t ruling out returning to the ring for the company in the future.

In 2023, Nikki and her sister Brie departed WWE and began to use the “Garcia Twins” as their name in their professional endeavors. But Nikki was back in the WWE fold for at least one night on Monday, attending Raw’s Netflix premiere in Los Angeles. She was shown in the crowd during the episode and identified as “Nikki Bella.”

Bella was interviewed on the red carpet last night, where she said WWE is like home and expressed her excitement for the promotion’s new partnership with Netflix.

“Well, WWE is home, and WWE is one of the coolest events, one of the coolest forms of entertainment truly in the world. And Netflix delivers worldwide, as we’ve all seen. So I think it’s just two powerhouses that come together,” Bella said. “They’re going to make magic happen, and I want to be here for the magic. I want to celebrate all of the talent that I’ve grown up with the past 20 years, which is so crazy to say. And I want to be here [at the premiere] to just root them on.”

Though she has not wrestled since 2022, Bella, 41, has kept the door open to compete again once her son gets older. She was asked on the red carpet about the Bella Twins potentially returning to the ring for WWE.

“Ohhh, will we ever see the Bella Twins back? Good question,” Bella responded. “You know, I just may be here looking at my competition soon. So — stay tuned.”

Near the end of last year, Bella finalized her divorce from former husband Artem Chigvintsev, who was arrested for alleged domestic violence in August 2024 but did not end up facing charges.

The Bella Twins were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2020.

Nikki Bella ‘heartbroken’ over divorce: ‘It’s been a struggle’

Posted on by Ian Carey

Nikki Garcia (FKA Nikki Bella) opened up about her divorce from Artem Chigvintsev on the latest Nikki & Brie Show episode. 

In late August, Chigvintsev was arrested on domestic violence charges at a home the couple formerly shared in Napa Valley. Garcia and Chigvintsev agreed to a divorce settlement last month, sharing custody of their four-year-old son, Matteo. Charges against Chigvintsev were dropped in September.

Garcia returned to the podcast she co-hosts with her sister on Monday’s episode. She told Brie that her absence was due to wanting privacy for her son and needing time to heal. 

Nikki said:

“I needed to disconnect because first things first, I’m a mom and my son’s protection and privacy is the most important. So, I was going to do whatever it took for that, most importantly, and then just needing space for healing, for facing trauma head on.”

“It’s been really tough. I’ve been heartbroken, sad. You know, you dream of having this family and you have this incredible love and it just goes the other way. And you go from having a great love story to having a terrible one. I never saw any of it coming as far as what the ending would be. It’s been a struggle.”

“I know being a public figure, I have to say a little bit about this. And after this, I don’t want to ever talk about it again because I truly do want privacy for Matteo, that has been the most important part. But obviously, I’ve had a public relationship, I’m a public figure, so I have to talk about what’s gone on a little bit.”

Nikki also said that she played it up in public as if her relationship with Chigvintsev was stronger than it was. She explained:

“I wanted (Chigvintsev) to be the best version of themselves, because also that’s what my son deserves. I don’t want to drag my son’s dad because I want my son to have the greatest dad ever because that’s what Matteo deserves.”

“I really played it up like things were a lot better than what they were in the public eye, which I have regrets in that because what I felt was if I could just put this person on a pedestal and maybe if this person hears it enough what I believe in them, they can believe that in themselves.”

Brie asked if Nikki was trying to show her fans that she had a “fairytale relationship.”

“That, yes, and I didn’t want to have another failed public relationship,” Nikki responded. “And more than any of that, I wanted it for Matteo. It always comes back to him. You fight for your kids, you want to stick together because that’s what the kids want. And I tried really hard.”

Brie also mentioned during the podcast that she advised Nikki to end the relationship multiple times before Chigvintsev’s arrest in August. 

The couple shares custody of Matteo, and Nikki is learning to deal with her son leaving to spend time with his father. 

“I never thought I would be in this place as a co-parent. It’s tough. I miss Matteo, oh my goodness. Those first few times in my house, just think, I’ve never been in the home without him. Really, really hard. Very emotional. Even yesterday. I cry every time he leaves.”

“So, that’s been hard but we’re doing a great job at it. We’re both very focused on Matteo and that’s the great thing. And I do think in time – I pray, I pray everyday we’ll be great friends, we’ll be able to share holidays together. I don’t think that’ll happen anytime soon but I pray for it because again, that’s what Matteo deserves.”

The full podcast is available below:

Nikki Garcia & Artem Chigvintsev agree to divorce settlement

Posted on by Josh Nason

After a tumultuous 2024 and two weeks before it was set to go to trial, Nikki Garcia (seen above) and Artem Chigvintsev settled their divorce via mediation earlier this month.

The news was first reported by TMZ with no terms disclosed. At one point, Chigvintsev was seeking spousal support with the former Nikki Bella requesting to block the court’s ability to award it. It’s unknown if that was settled.

The restraining orders each had filed against each other have also been dropped. They agreed to shared custody of their four-year-old son earlier this year.

Bella filed for divorce in September of this year after Chigvintsev was arrested in late-August at their home on domestic violence charges. Charges were dropped in late-September after the Napa County (California) District Attorney stated among other things “…we have an ethical obligation to only file charges when supported by the evidence.”

Chigvintsev was not asked back to his role on Dancing with the Stars after the arrest with his attorney saying they are hopeful he can return for the next season. He was invited by an executive producer to be part of the studio audience for last week’s 500th episode.

Artem Chigvintsev granted restraining order against Nikki Garcia

Posted on by Josh Nason

The conflict between former WWE star Nikki Garcia (Bella) and estranged husband Artem Chigvintsev continues to escalate.

A day after news broke that Bella gained a restraining order against Chigvintsev earlier in the week, the former “Dancing With The Stars” dancer gained a restraining order against her as well, filed Thursday in Napa Valley, California.

The dueling orders come after an alleged domestic violence incident between the couple on August 29th where Chigvintesv was arrested with the charges eventually dropped by the district attorney on September 24th due to a lack of evidence.

Garcia filed for divorce on September 11th. The couple share a four-year-old son and will be due in court on October 21st.

Chigvintesv’s statement was contract to Garcia’s that painted him as the aggressor. His statement included an alleged comment by Garcia that his 911 call that day ruined her career. While she said he blamed her for making their son into a picky eater, he claims she was questioning how he was packing their son’s lunchbox and not being an equal partner in parental responsibilities. He claims he tried to de-escalate the situation, but his “calm responses” drove Garcia to “completely” lose it and start screaming at him.

He denies tackling her, but said there was a mutual struggle in which both parents ended up on the ground. He shared pictures with his statement showing various cuts and marks.

Nikki Garcia gets restraining order against husband Artem Chigvintsev

Posted on by Josh Nason

Former WWE star Nikki Garcia has secured a restraining order against her husband, Artem Chigvintsev, following an alleged domestic violence incident at their home this past August.

TMZ reported that the request was put in this past Monday and was approved by a judge following a sworn statement by Garcia giving detail about how her husband allegedly assaulted her.

He will not face charges from the arrest as the Napa Valley (CA) district attorney stated, among other things, “we have an ethical obligation to only file charges when supported by the evidence.”

He is prohibited from coming within 100 yards of she, their son or their home unless it’s during visitation or exchange of child-ordered court visits. The judge did deny a request for her to leave the country with her son to work on a project. A full hearing is set for October 21st.

The two were married in 2022. Garcia filed for divorce in mid-September.

**********

TMZ included several details from the aforementioned statement including how Garcia (the former Nikki Bella) alleges Chigvintsev tackled her multiple times and pinned her to the ground while their child was present. She is also claiming he got increasingly angry and snapped at her, allegedly due to her not toasting an English muffin for their four-year-old son and blaming her for making him a picky eater.

After throwing her son’s shoes at her husband, she alleges he grabbed and ran with their son upstairs. When she tried to get into a room where they were in, she said he tackled her and held her there briefly. Another physical altercation allegedly took later place where he had his hands on her chest and she said she felt like she was suffocating.

She also claimed he has been both physically violent and verbally abusive in the past, providing details.

Chigvintsev was not invited to return on “Dancing With The Stars” shortly after his August arrest.

Nikki Garcia’s husband Artem Chigvintsev won’t face charges over domestic violence arrest

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Nikki Garcia’s husband will not face charges over his domestic violence arrest.

The Napa County District Attorney’s Office issued a press release on Tuesday that Artem Chigvintsev will not face charges relating to his arrest for domestic violence on August 29.

The statement reads:

Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley announced today that her office has declined to

file criminal charges against Artem Chigvintsev, age 42, in connection with his arrest on suspicion of felony domestic violence. The decision to not file charges against Mr. Chigvintsev was made after a thorough review of the criminal investigation and careful evaluation of the evidence presented to the DA’s Office.

While we take every arrest seriously and stand firmly against domestic violence, we have an ethical obligation to only file charges when supported by the evidence. We are required to prove any and every criminal charge ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’ which is the highest standard in the American criminal justice system. If the available evidence doesn’t rise to this level of proof, then we cannot ethically file charges.

Domestic violence can either be filed as a felony or a misdemeanor and has a statute of limitations of three years or one year, respectively. At any time within the statute of limitations, the Napa County District Attorney’s Office may revisit the case if it learns of other incidents, or otherwise learns of facts or evidence not previously known.

Chigvintsev was originally arrested on charges of felony corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant. Two weeks after Chigvintesev was arrested, Nikki Garcia filed for divorce. It had been previously reported that Garcia had already been contacting attorneys and was looking to start divorce proceedings following Chigvintsev’s arrest.

The two had been together since 2018, were married in 2022, and have a four-year-old son together.

Nikki Bella files for divorce after husband’s domestic violence arrest

Posted on by Ethan Renner

WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Garcia, formerly known as Nikki Bella, has filed for divorce in the wake of her husband’s arrest for domestic violence.

TMZ reports that Garcia filed for divorce on Wednesday, two weeks after her husband Artem Chigvintsev was arrested for felony corporal injury to spouse or cohabitant following a domestic incident between the two. The outlet reports that Garcia has retained divorce attorney Evan Craig Itzkowitz for the proceedings.

Chigvintsev originally called 911 to report an injury, then called back to cancel the request for paramedics. Police still responded to the scene and arrested Chigvintsev after observing visible injuries to Garcia.

TMZ reported on September 3 that Garcia had already contacted attorneys and was looking to start divorce proceedings.

TMZ also reports that Garcia is living in the couple’s home in Napa Valley in California, while Chigvintsev is staying elsewhere.

Garcia and Chigvintsev have been together since 2018, and married since 2022. The couple have a four year-old son together.

Nikki Bella contacts divorce lawyers in wake of husband’s domestic violence arrest

Posted on by Ian Carey

Nikki Garcia, FKA as Nikki Bella, is reportedly taking steps to divorce Artem Chigvintsev.

TMZ reports that Garcia has contacted divorce lawyers in the wake of Chigvintsev’s arrest for domestic violence last week.

“Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ … Nikki has been making calls since Friday, and we’re told her intention is to file to end her marriage,” the outlet wrote.

The report continued to state that Chigvintsev is currently staying with a friend and not in the family home he shares with Garcia and the couple’s four-year-old son Matteo.

On Monday, Garcia appeared on Netflix’s “Unfinished Beef” hot dog eating contest and Bodyslam’s Stephanie Hypes noted she was not wearing her wedding ring during the broadcast.

Chigvintsev was arrested Thursday morning after authorities responded to a 911 call at approximately 10 AM local time in Yountville, California. He was later booked for felony corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant, although Garcia has not been confirmed as the victim. Chigvintsev’s bail was set at $25,000, which he has since posted.

According to audio files obtained by TMZ, Chigvintsev called 911 requesting medical assistance but would later call back to cancel. He noted during the call that his wife had thrown shoes at him.

Paramedics turned back after he canceled but police showed up at the address and “observed obvious injuries on the victim’s body” leading to Chigvintsev’s arrest.

Garcia’s team released a statement through US Weekly on Friday, saying, “This is a private matter, and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time.”

Nikki Garcia releases statement following husband’s domestic violence arrest

Posted on by Josh Nason

A rep for former WWE star Nikki Garcia has released her first statement since her husband Artem Chingvintsev’s arrest Thursday on domestic violence charges where injuries were reportedly involved.

From US Weekly, the statement reads, “This is a private matter, and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time.”

It is unknown if Garcia, the former Nikki Bella in WWE, is a victim as the Napa County (California) Sheriff’s office stated Thursday that “the victim in the case has asked for total confidentiality.”

The alleged incident(s) took place Thursday morning as local authorities responded to a domestic violence call at a location in Yountville. Chingvintsev was arrested and later booked on a felony domestic violence charge with bail set at $25,000.

TMZ reported Friday that Chingvintsev called 911 and requested medical assistance, claiming Garcia threw shoes at him. He then called back and tried to cancel the call, saying he no longer needed medical help. Police still showed up at their home within an hour, arresting him without incident.

The two celebrated their second wedding anniversary this week after being married in 2022, first meeting on Dancing with the Stars in 2019. They share a four-year-old son.

Nikki Garcia’s husband Artem Chigvintsev arrested on domestic violence charges

Posted on by Josh Nason

The husband of former WWE star Nikki Garcia was arrested Thursday on domestic violence charges in Yountville, California.

TMZ first reported the news, adding that “the victim in the case has asked for total confidentiality” according to the Napa County Sheriff’s office. As of this writing, it is unknown if she is the victim.

According to the report, local authorities responded to a domestic violence call before 10 AM local time Thursday at a location in Yountville. That is where Artem Chingvintsev of Dancing with the Stars fame was arrested and later booked on a felony domestic violence charge with bail set at $25,000. Injuries were reportedly involved.

Garcia, formerly Nikki Bella in WWE, was in Napa as recently as Wednesday according to her Instagram account. The two celebrated their second wedding anniversary this week after being married in 2022, first meeting on the DWTS show in 2019.

They share a four-year-old son.

WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella cast on ‘The Traitors’ reality show

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Garcia (Nikki Bella) is set to be featured on one of reality television’s hottest shows.

On Wednesday, it was revealed that Garcia is among the cast members for season three of “The Traitors,” a murder mystery-inspired reality series that airs on Peacock. The new season is listed as coming soon, but a premiere date has not been announced.

“The Traitors” is hosted by actor Alan Cumming and is filmed at a castle in Scotland. A group of cast members are designated as Traitors and must work to eliminate everyone else from the show. The rest are designated as Faithfuls and need to figure out who the Traitors are. Contestants are competing for a maximum grand prize of $250,000. They are also paid for being on the show.

Other members of the season three cast include “Survivor” winners Rob Mariano, Tony Vlachos & Jeremy Collins, “Big Brother” legends Danielle Reyes & Britney Haynes, and Tom Sandoval from “Vanderpump Rules.” There are 21 contestants in total.

Garcia and her twin sister Brie were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the 2020 class. In March 2023, Nikki & Brie announced that they were no longer with WWE and would be going by Nikki Garcia & Brie Garcia going forward. The sisters host a podcast together.

The last time Nikki & Brie competed in the ring was as entrants in the 2022 women’s Royal Rumble. They haven’t ruled out returning in the future, though they don’t know which promotion they would wrestle for. Nikki has said that, if she does wrestle again, it would be when her son Matteo gets older.

Nikki Garcia on WWE omitting her name from Barmageddon ad: ‘It’s sad’

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Nikki Garcia said it was “disappointing” and “sad” that WWE omitted her name from a recent Barmageddon ad.

During an interview with NBC Chicago, Garcia responded to WWE not using her name while advertising USA’s Barmageddon, which airs after Raw. Garcia serves as a host the show along with music star Blake Shelton and Carson Daly..

It’s sad. There’s obviously a lot I’d like to say…it’s disappointing. I worked there for sixteen years and I helped pave the way for them. And not only that, they’ve always been family to me. And no matter what, walking away, for me, it wasn’t malicious. I’m at a point in my life and wanted to do things without hearing the word no. It was just strictly business.

Maybe there were some personal things over the years that had also pushed me towards that but I think more than anything it’s disappointing because I don’t see it with the men. And for some reason with the women who are outspoken in the past, they just want to ban us and I think it’s sad because we don’t look at it as family. You don’t want to say my name, but that’s fine, hey, Barmageddon got a shot out and so did Blake Shelton so that makes me happy.

So many people in the WWE will always be family to me and I communicate with so many of them. The WWE Universe will always be family to me as well as my Bella Army so I’m appreciative of all of you and all of us that can still ive the memories.

Back in March, The Bella Twins said their contracts with the WWE had expired and were no longer allowed to use the Bella name, instead using their given maiden names The Garcia Twins.