On August 29, Artem Chigvintsev was arrested on charges of domestic battery of a spouse and was later released on bail. In 2020, he and WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Garcia welcomed their son Matteo into the world, and now both parents have filed for what they believe is an appropriate level of custody.
Chigvintsev, best known for his role on Dancing With The Stars, has filed for joint custody of Matteo, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE. He is also requesting spousal support and for Garcia to cover his attorney’s fees and costs. Chigvintsev made a 9-1-1 call on the day of his arrest, requesting medical assistance, though later called to say it was no longer needed.
Garcia on the other hand, has filed for sole legal and physical custody of Matteo, while allowing visitation rights for Chigvintsev. She has also requested that the court terminate spousal support for both parties. Garcia, who competed for WWE as Nikki Bella, was reportedly encouraged to end her marriage to Chigvintsev by her sister Brie after the alleged violence.
The former WWE Divas Champion officially filed for divorce on Wednesday, September 11, with both sides citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split. Both have also cited Thursday, August 29, as the date of separation, which coincides with Chigvintsev’s arrest.
The couple met in 2017 on Dancing with the Stars while Garcia was engaged to John Cena, though their relationship would end in early 2018. Garcia would reconnect with Chgvintsev after this and the couple announced their engagement in late 2019.
After becoming parents to Matteo in July 2020, the couple got married in a private Parisian ceremony in August 2022, though Garcia’s filing gives the date as January 19, 2023. The couple had celebrated their second wedding anniversary mere days before Chigvintsev’s arrest.
