Nikki Garcia (Nikki Bella) Granted Restraining Order Against Artem Chigvintsev
Nikki Garcia, formerly known as Nikki Bella, has secured a restraining order against her husband.
TRIGGER WARNING: The following article contains descriptions of domestic violence.
Back in August, Nikki Garcia’s husband Artem Chigvintsev was arrested after a domestic incident at their home in California. The Dancing With The Stars pro was arrested for domestic battery, but prosecutors later declined to file charges, citing a lack of evidence.
After Garcia filed for a divorce, it’s now been reported that she’s also been granted a restraining order.
As reported by TMZ, on the morning of the incident on August 29th, Garcia claimed Chigvintsev “went off” on her over how their four-year-old son Matteo’s English muffin should be toasted. She added that she was so overwhelmed by his yelling that she threw one of her son’s shoes at her husband.
She says Artem grabbed Matteo and ran with him upstairs, as the boy screamed, “Mommy! Mommy!”
She says as she tried to get in the room, Artem opened the door and tackled her to the ground outside Matteo’s room. She says he grabbed her arms and held her on the ground for what felt like 30 seconds.
She says Artem then went back into Matteo’s room and closed the door — and she says she again tried to push open the door, and he then opened it and pushed her across the hall into the couple’s bedroom, forcing her to the floor in their bathroom. She says he had his hands on her chest near her sternum, pressing down — she says she felt like she was suffocating — and she says she grabbed at his neck in an attempt to get him off.
The police came and Matteo told them, “Daddy hurt my hand.”
Garcia alleged that her husband had been violent on one prior occasion in 2023 where he “violently grabbed me around my waist” to keep her away from Matteo. The former WWE star noted several instances of verbal abuse, adding she doesn’t want her son to grow up in a tumultuous environment as she did. Garcia explained that she wants Chigvintsev to undergo therapy for anger management.
The judge prohibited Artem from contacting or coming within 100 yards of her, their son, their home, etc. The only exception is for visitation or exchange of the child per court-ordered visits.
Nikki Garcia (Nikki Bella) Issues Statement
In a statement issued to TMZ, Garcia said her husband needs to be held accountable for his actions.
“Due to the incident that led to Artem’s arrest on August 29, 2024, Nikki has decided to file for a temporary Domestic Violence Restraining Order to protect herself and her son. Although Nikki requested that the Napa District Attorney not file charges against Artem as she did not want him to go to jail, he must still be held accountable for his actions, and Nikki and her son must be protected.
Nikki’s number one priority has always been the wellbeing of her son. She is thankful for all of the love and support she has received and continues to ask for privacy for her and her family during this difficult time.”
Garcia and Chigvintsev met in 2017 when paired together on Dancing With The Stars but didn’t start dating until two years later. The pair were married in August 2022.