In late August 2024, Atem Chigvintsev, the husband of WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Garcia, was arrested and charged with domestic violence. Garcia, best known to wrestling fans as Nikki Bella, has since filed for divorce and seeks to end the couple’s marriage two years after tying the knot.
Brie Garcia encouraged her sister to leave the marriage, a source has told Entertainment Tonight. Brie, who is also a WWE Hall of Famer was said to be “very worried about Nikki and her son” and is of the belief that “any sort of violence does not fly.” Nikki and Chigvintsev welcomed their son Matteo into the world in 2020. Before her marriage to Chigvintsev, the topic of kids proved to be an issue between Garcia and John Cena, who has said he does not want to have kids due to fears of being an absent father.
Nikki and Chigvintsev are “not living under the same roof” the source added, who went on to say that Garcia has been left “scared and rattled” by the ordeal. Garcia is seeking full custody of Matteo though is open to Chigvintsev having visitations with the four-year-old, People reported earlier this week.
Chigvintsev was released on a $25,000 bail on August 29, the same day he was taken to jail in Napa Valley, California. The source told “Entertainment Tonight” that the dancer “feels unprepared to deal with everything coming his way.” The couple celebrated its second anniversary just days before Chigvintsev’s arrest.
