Last week, Atem Chigvintsev, the husband of WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Garcia, was arrested and charged with domestic violence. Now, TMZ reports that Garcia, known to WWE fans as Nikki Bella, has been actively searching for a divorce lawyer since the day after the arrest, and intends to file for a divorce from Chigvintsev.
It's further reported that Chigvintsev is no longer staying at the family's home but is instead living with a friend. The couple's son Matteo is remaining with his mother in their family home, the report adds.
Artem Chigvintsev's Arrest
At 8:30 AM on August 29, 2024, a call went out to emergency services from the Garcia-Chigvintsev home, stating that a "medical emergency" had occurred. While paramedics and the fire department were en route, Chigvinstev called 911 again to cancel the request though did not explain why.
At 10 AM that same day, Chigvintsev was arrested for felony corporal injury to spouse or cohabitant. In this particular felony, the injury must be visible and officers observed injuries on the victim's body, an earlier TMZ report notes. Since the incident, Garcia has not worn her wedding ring in public, including at Netflix's recent competitive Hot Dog eating special. Chigvintsev was released shortly after his arrest after posting a $25,000 bail.
Nikki Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev
Garcia and Chigvintsev first met during the WWE legend's appearance on Dancing With The Stars in 2017. In January 2019, less than a year after Garcia's engagement with John Cena ended, she and Chigvintsev began dating and got engaged on January 3, 2020.
That July, Garcia would give birth to Matteo. This already joyous occasion was even more special for Garcia, whose relationship with John Cena had seen the pair at odds over whether to have children. The couple tied the knot in 2022 and marked their second anniversary just days before Chigvintsev's arrest.
