Nikki Garcia Dishes On Royal Rumble Run-In With Ex John Cena

Nikki Garcia, previously referred to as Nikki Bella, is getting candid about her temporary however emotional reunion with ex-fiancé John Cena, their first assembly since they known as off their engagement in 2018.

The WWE star and “Complete Bellas” alum mirrored on the second throughout a current look on the “Actually Cavallari” podcast, hosted by Kristin Cavallari.

The episode, recorded in March throughout Cavallari’s podcast tour, featured Nikki Garcia and her twin sister Brie as visitors and revealed that the long-awaited run-in befell backstage on the 2025 Royal Rumble in February.

“It was very fast,” Nikki recalled. “Out of respect,” she added, referencing the truth that Cena is now a married man. The “Peacemaker” actor wed Shay Shariatzadeh in 2020.

“I used to be in a circle speaking to individuals. He got here to [shake] everybody’s hand. He shook my hand,” she defined. Kristin expressed shock that the previous flames didn’t share a hug, however Nikki confirmed the interplay was temporary and formal.

“We simply stated, ‘Hi there, good to see you. I feel final time we had been engaged? I don’t know, it’s been some time,’” Nikki shared with fun. “However the factor was, when he walked away, all the ladies had been like, ‘Oh my gosh.’ I’m like, ‘Shh, shh. He’s married, be respectful.’ And that was it.”

Regardless of the brief trade, Nikki described the encounter as a optimistic step ahead. “It was nice as a result of [it] broke the ice. We simply each occurred to be again on the similar time. It’s a superb feeling.”

Cavallari playfully teased, “Everybody needs you guys to be collectively,” prompting Nikki to shortly shut it down, “Oh, gosh. Oh, subsequent query!”

Nikki and John first started courting in 2012, however their relationship, although filled with public moments, had its challenges.

Earlier than shifting in collectively, John reportedly made Nikki signal a 75-page contract with strict life-style phrases, together with being labeled a “visitor” in his residence. The couple bought engaged at WrestleMania 33 in 2017, however finally known as off their wedding ceremony, initially set for Might 2018.

In a press release on the time, the couple stated, “Whereas this determination was a tough one, we proceed to have quite a lot of love and respect for each other.”

They briefly tried to reconcile that summer season, however by July 2018, Nikki confirmed the connection was formally over. “After a lot time and soul-searching… I do know that is what’s greatest for me,” she advised Us Weekly.

Since then, Nikki has moved on and constructed a household of her personal.

She welcomed her son, Matteo, in 2020 with skilled dancer Artem Chigvintsev, whom she met throughout “Dancing with the Stars.” The 2 married in 2022, however the marriage ended simply two years later amid a public and tough divorce.

The break up adopted Artem’s 2024 arrest on suspicion of home violence, although no costs had been filed, and resulted in a courtroom order for Nikki to pay $200,000 in spousal assist, plus $3,500 per thirty days in baby assist.

“Sure, I needed to give him $200,000,” Nikki confirmed. “Spousal assist, alimony. Our choose stated on the finish of it, ‘That is the primary time in all of the years I’ve carried out this the place a lady needed to pay a person. You ought to be so rattling proud that you simply constructed such an empire that somebody needs a chunk of it.’”

The altercation reportedly occurred at their residence in Napa and started over a seemingly minor disagreement: making their son Matteo’s English muffin “a bit crispier.”

In line with Nikki, the dialog shortly escalated, with Chigvintsev yelling, blaming her for Matteo being a “choosy eater,” and refusing to let her converse. Feeling overwhelmed, Garcia stated she tried to de-escalate by stepping outdoors to pack her son’s belongings into the automotive.

“I simply wished to get Matteo out of the home till Artem cooled off,” she wrote in her declaration. Nikki admitted that, in a second of frustration, she threw Matteo’s light-weight footwear at Chigvintsev, hitting his leg. She known as it a lapse in judgment however insisted the gesture posed no hurt.

The scenario reportedly turned bodily shortly after. Nikki claimed Chigvintsev grabbed their son and ran upstairs. When she adopted out of concern, she alleged that Chigvintsev tried to dam her from coming into Matteo’s room. After managing to pressure the door open barely, she stated she noticed Matteo trying scared, and that’s when, in keeping with her assertion, Chigvintsev tackled her.

Nikki alleged he pinned her to the bottom and later pressured her into the lavatory, pushing on her chest till she felt as if she couldn’t breathe. She stated he stopped solely after seeing the panic in her eyes. When police arrived, Matteo allegedly advised them, “Daddy damage my hand.”

Chigvintsev was arrested and booked on a felony home violence cost. He was launched on bail the identical day.

Within the weeks that adopted, each he and Nikki filed restraining orders in opposition to one another, although they had been finally dropped.