Nikki Garcia, known to WWE fans as Nikki Bella, is opening up about her split from Artem Chigvintsev. In an interview with Us Weekly, Garcia admitted to be shocked with how her marriage to Chigvintsev ended. The pair married in 2022 but an incident in August 2024 led to the pair divoricing.
“You couldn’t have ever told me that this would’ve been the ending of my 2024 or my marriage—I wouldn’t have believed you.”
Despite the split, which has seen both parties accuse the other of being the agressor, Garcia and Chigvintsev are co-parenting their four-year-old son Matteo. The two adults recently shared some Christmas moments with their son, including baking cookies for Santa as they want to provide the best upbringing for Matteo.
“We baked Santa’s cookies. Matteo went to bed, and we both were there when he woke up. Because he’s our focus, we want to keep those moments.”
Looking to the future, Garcia isn’t giving up on love despite all that has happened. With that said, the longest-reigning WWE Divas Champion is done getting married.
“I don’t ever want to be legally bound to someone or sign paperwork again.”
Nikki’s love life has had its fair share of rocky moments. In May 2014, Nikki shared on Total Divas that she had married her high school sweetheart at the age of 20. Their marriage was annulled three years later. In 2012, she began dating John Cena and the couple got engaged at WrestleMania 32. In April 2018, the pair slip and canceled the wedding, which had been set to take place the following month.
Now, Garcia is focusing on herself and her child, as well as a potential WWE return. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Nikki, as her days of walking down the aisle are over.
Nikki Garcia attempted to make her marriage to Artem Chigvintsev appear much better than it was, the WWE Hall of Famer has revealed. The pair, who tied the knot in 2022 after a whirlwind romance sparked on Dancing with the Stars, ended their relationship this year following Chigvintsev’s arrest at their home in Napa, California.
Returning to her Nikki and Brie podcast, Garcia opened up about the relationship, which saw cracks long before their issues were brought to the public’s attention.
“Things haven’t been great for a long time. I really played it up that things were a lot better than what they were.”
Chigvintsev was arrested over an alleged domestic violence incident, though the Napa County District Attorney’s Office opted not to press charges. Chigvintsev has claimed that he was not aggressive and that Garcia shared false claims resulting in his arrest. On the podcast, Garcia shared her side of the story.
“When you know the truth, nothing else matters. Because I know the truth and I actually lived it… People don’t know what I’ve gone through, what I am going through.”
Garcia’s return to the podcast comes after she “needed to disconnect” and focus on the “protection and privacy” of the couple’s four-year-old son Matteo. Looking back, Garcia believes that what happened in August could have been avoided as the pair “weren’t bringing out the best in each other” for a long time.
“We probably should have walked away a long time ago so in the end what happened, would not have happened.”
Addressing the end of her marriage, Garcia “never saw it coming” and described it as a “great love story turned terrible” that has left her “heartbroken and sad. Now, the former WWE Divas Champion’s focus is on herself and Matteo.
“I want to remain strong for Matteo. I’m over hiding, and I just want to live my life.”
The couple agreed to a divorce settlement in November, avoiding a trial that was set to begin in December. Following the arrest, Chigvintsev was not invited back to Dancing With The Stars, something he allegedly knew before the incident in late August. Chigvintsev made an appearance as a guest in the studio audience for the show’s 500th episode, at the invitation of an executive producer.
Nikki Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev have resolved their divorce through mediation, avoiding a trial that was set to begin in two weeks. According to TMZ, the former couple reached an agreement earlier this month, though the terms of the settlement remain undisclosed.
Previously, Chigvintsev, a former Dancing with the Stars performer, sought spousal support, while Garcia, a former WWE star, moved to block the court’s ability to award it. Whether this issue was resolved in the mediation remains unclear.
Earlier this year, the pair also dropped mutual restraining orders and agreed to shared custody of their four-year-old son. The divorce filing followed a series of turbulent events, including Chigvintsev’s late-August arrest on domestic violence charges at their Napa County home. However, the charges were dropped in September after the district attorney cited insufficient evidence to proceed.
Chigvintsev’s legal troubles also affected his professional life. Following his arrest, he was not invited back to compete on Dancing with the Stars. However, his attorney expressed optimism that he might rejoin the show in the future. Last week, Chigvintsev made an appearance as a guest in the studio audience for the show’s 500th episode, at the invitation of an executive producer.
In a statement shared with The New York Post, Chigvintsev denies being the “primary aggressor” on the day of his arrest. Instead, he claims that he was arrested after Garcia lied to the authorities in an act that seriously harmed his public standing.
“As a result of his wife’s self-serving statement, Mr. Chigvintsev’s career suffered, with numerous opportunities being canceled due to these false allegations. Men can also be victims of domestic violence; Mr. Chigvintsev’s case highlights this reality. He was not the primary aggressor.”
Chigvintsev also included photos in his complaint, which allegedly show some of the physical harm he experienced by Garcia.
Incident at Breakfast
Both Garcia and Chigvintsev acknowledge that an incident happened over breakfast during the morning of August 29, though each side tells a different story. In his complaint, Chigvingsev claims that Garcia criticized him for not having their child’s breakfast and packed lunch prepared and complained that their son’s muffin was not toasted enough.
“She continued saying that she does everything, and I don’t help, which is absolutely false… [Garcia] completely lost it and started screaming ‘get the f**k out of my house, I am sick of all of it, I had enough.'”
In Garcia’s telling of things, Chigvintsev had become “increasingly angry, snapping at me, and yelling” after discovering he would not be returning for Dancing With The Stars‘ 33rd season. Chigvintsev got angry at Garcia over how their son Matteo’s English Muffin was toasted, claiming she had turned the four-year-old into a “picky eater.”
The former WWE Superstar has claimed that Chigvintsev “tackled me multiple times and pinned me to the ground while our child was present” in court documents viewed by TMZ. She adds that she grabbed at Chigvintsev’s neck to get him off her. Garcia has said that she was holding Matteo before Artem grabbed the child and barricaded himself in a room, a claim Chigvintsev called “a complete LIE.”
What’s to Come?
Per the court order granting Chigvintsev’s restraining order request, the couple will share joint custody of their son with “reasonable daily FaceTime contact between the child and non-custodial parent.” A judge has also declared that “neither parent shall make negative statements about the other in the presence of hearing of the child.” Similarly, neither Garcia nor Chigvintsev can question Matteo about the other parent. Both parties will be in court on October 21, for a hearing to consider their requests.
Caution – The following article contains details of a domestic violence incident
Former WWE star Nikki ‘Bella’ Garcia filed a restraining order against husband Artem Chigvintsev this past Monday after the latter’s domestic violence arrest back on August 29.
According to TMZ, Nikki submitted a sworn declaration to the court revealing details of the alleged domestic violence incident and the judge signed off on the order. Nikki explained that Artem grew ‘increasingly angry’ after learning that he won’t be part of the new season of Dancing With The Stars and he snapped at her.
On the morning of the incident, Artem snapped at Nikki over the fact that their son’s English muffin should be toasted. He screamed that the retired wrestling star had made their son a ‘picky eater.’ The incident escalated from there and according to Garcia, Chigvintsev “tackled me multiple times and pinned me to the ground while our child was present.”
Overwhelmed by the yelling, Nikki threw their son’s toddler-sized shoes toward Artem which hit his leg. Though she argues that the light shoes could not have hurt him. Artem then grabbed Mattero and ran upstairs and when she tried to get into the room, Artem grabbed her arm and held her on the ground for about 30 seconds.
The Russian Dancer went into their son’s room again and closed the door. When the female star tried to push open the door again, Artem came out and pushed her across the hall into the couple’s bedroom. Nikki alleges that Artem then forced her to the floor in their bathroom and had his hands on her chest near her sternum. Nikki felt like she was suffocating and she grabbed his neck in an attempt to get him off. When the police came, Mettero told them that ‘Daddy hurt my hand’
Nikki Garcia also detailed a previous incident of physical violence in mid-2023. According to her, he ‘violently grabbed me around my waist’ to keep Nikki away from Mattero. There were numerous other instances of verbal abuse.
Garcia wants Artem to get the help he needs with therapy and anger management because she doesn’t want her son to grow up in a tumultuous environment. She wants her and Matteo to have enough space away from Artem until he has bettered himself.
Garcia also asked the judge if she could leave the country with her son for a filming project in London but the court denied her request. The Judge has prohibited Artem from contacting or coming within 100 yards of her, their son, or their home with the exception of visitation or exchange of the child per court-ordered visits
Prosecutors previously declined to file charges against Artem for his arrest citing a lack of evidence. In a statement from her representative, Nikki claims that she requested the Napa District Attorney not to file charges as she does not want Artem to go to jail but she wants him to be accountable for his actions. In the meantime, the former WWE star has also filed for divorce from her husband.
You can call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for Domestic Violence Hotline or text START to 88788. More details about the issues can be found at US Department of Justice website here.
In July, Artem Chigvintsev, the husband of Nikki Garcia, was arrested and charged with corporal injury to a spouse, a felony that could’ve seen him face years in prison. This week, it was confirmed that Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley has declined to file criminal charges, after a thorough review of the investigation.
In a statement to PEOPLE, Chigvintse, best known for his work on Dancing with The Stars shared his relief that he will not be facing charges over what allegedly transpired in August.
“I am incredibly relieved and grateful that the domestic violence charges against me have been dropped. This has been an extremely difficult time for me. I am thankful that the truth has prevailed. My focus has always been and will always be, our son Matteo. He is my world, and being his father is the greatest blessing in my life. All along, my main concern has been for him. I am committed to continuing to provide him with the love, support, and care he needs as we move forward.
“I am hopeful that securing an equal custody arrangement will help us move on. I want to express my deepest gratitude to my family, friends, and legal team for standing by me during this challenging time. Your support has been invaluable, and I am thankful to everyone who believed in me and saw the truth for what it was. I look forward to moving past this chapter and focusing on what truly matters—continue being the best father I can be.”
Chigvintsev’s attorney, Ilona Antonyan, also provided a statement, adding that the goal now is to focus on a 50/50 custody schedule of Matteo between Artem and Garcia. Chigvintsev has been seeking joint custody of his and Nikki’s son, while she has sought sole custody with Chigvintsev being given visitation rights.
Antonyan adds that the investigation has proven that Chigvintsev was not the aggressor in the incident that led to his arrest.
“My understanding of the investigated facts surrounding the 8/29/24 incident have led me to conclude from the beginning that Artem was not the primary aggressor. I believe that to be true even if the burden of proof would be the preponderance of evidence, which is the standard of proof in family court. He was protecting himself and Matteo.”
A representative for Nikki Garcia, known to WWE fans as Nikki Bella, did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment. While the couple intends to divorce, the hope now is that both sides can do what is best for seven-year-old Matteo.
Despite being arrested for domestic violence, Nikki Garcia’s husband, Artem Chigvintsev, won’t be facing charges. He had been arrested on charges of felony corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant in late August.
Following the incident, the former WWE star filed for divorce after contacting attorneys and looking to get the proceedings. On Tuesday, it was revealed in a statement by the Napa County District Attorney’s Office that Chigvintsev will not face charges relating to his arrest. The statement reads as the following:
“Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley announced today that her office has declined to file criminal charges against Artem Chigvintsev, age 42, in connection with his arrest on suspicion of felony domestic violence. The decision not to file charges against Mr. Chigvintsev was made after a thorough review of the criminal investigation and careful evaluation of the evidence presented to the DA’s Office.
While we take every arrest seriously and stand firmly against domestic violence, we have an ethical obligation to only file charges when supported by the evidence. We are required to prove any and every criminal charge ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’ which is the highest standard in the American criminal justice system. If the available evidence doesn’t rise to this level of proof, then we cannot ethically file charges.
Domestic violence can either be filed as a felony or a misdemeanor and has a statute of limitations of three years or one year, respectively. At any time within the statute of limitations, the Napa County District Attorney’s Office may revisit the case if it learns of other incidents, or otherwise learns of facts or evidence not previously known.”
The couple got together in 2018 before welcoming their four-year-old son. They got married in 2022 after a multi-year delay in the ceremony happening. Artem has yet to publicly comment on the situation.
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.
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.
Artem Chigvintsev’s mugshot and Nikki Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev
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.
Former WWE star Nikki ‘Bella’ Garcia has filed for divorce from husband Artem Chigvintsev after the latter’s domestic violence arrest late last month.
This doesn’t come as a huge shock as the WWE Hall of Famer had been spotted without her wedding ring after the incident and she had reportedly been in the hunt for a divorce lawyer since then.
According to TMZ, the retired wrestling star has hired lawyer Evan Craig Itzkowitz and she officially filed her petition after 2 years of marriage on Wednesday this week.
Artem was briefly arrested in Napa, California back on Thursday, August 29 on a felony charge. This came after deputies responded to a domestic violence call and observed visible injuries on the alleged victim. Though he posted bail for $25,000 the same day.
The couple have one child together, 4-year-old Matteo. Nikki has continued living in their family home in Napa Valley through this time while Artem has been staying over at a friend’s place.
Nikki Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev’s Relationship
Nikki Garcia and Artem first became friends when they were paired on the 2017 season of the Dancing With Stars reality show. Garcia was still dating John Cena at the time.
After the WWE couple broke up, Nikki reconnected with Chigvintsev. The two announced their engagement in late 2019 and the celebrity duo welcomed their son in August 2020.
They officially got married in Paris back in August 2022 and the unfortunate incident took place very close to their second marriage anniversary.
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.
Photo: TMZ
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.
History was made in the Netflix Hot Dog special and Nikki Garcia, Rey Mysterio and Omos had a front row seat to witness the gluttony.
Famed competitive eaters Kobayashi and Joey Chestnut took part in a live Labor Day special on Netflix where the two went head-to-head in eating hot dogs and one man broke the record. Chestnut came out the victor eating an unprecedented 83 hot dogs in 10 minutes to defeat his longstanding rival who could only down 67 dogs, and there were two WWE Hall of Famers on hand in Bella and Mysterio to be apart of the prestigious face-stuffing.
Along with comedian Rob Riggle, Garcia was the host to the event while Rey Mysterio presented Chestnut with the championship title after out-eating Kobayashi. Chestnut got his own WWE gold courtesy of Mysterio, who was the presenter for Chestnut while Omos was “Team Kobayashi.”
The event had to have felt like a breath of fresh air for Garcia after the unfortunate week she had as her husband Artem Chigvintsev was arrested on a felony corporal injury charge Thursday. Chigvintsev was released on $25,000 bail and through her representative, Garcia requested privacy after the incident. Garcia was noted to not be wearing her wedding ring during the Netflix special as she was photographed boarding a private jet with her son Matteo over the weekend.
Nikki Garcia (fka Nikki Bella) is LIVE on Netflix for the Unfinished Beef Hot Dog challenge! She looks great, thank God! She is currently not wearing her wedding ring.
Chigvintsev called 911 following the domestic dispute along with claiming that Garcia threw shoes at him. Police noticed injuries to Garcia and then took Chigvintsev into custody.
Nikki Garcia understandably would like some privacy following her husband Artem Chigvintsev’s arrest on August 29.
Chigvintsev, a pro dancer who Nikki first met on Dancing With The Stars, was arrested and booked in Napa Valley for corporal injury Thursday, only two days after his second anniversary with Garcia.
A statement was issued on behalf of Garcia reading, “This is a private matter, and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time.”
Chigvintsev was released not long after his arrest after posting a $25,000 bail. On the day of their anniversary, Garcia posted a celebration post on Instagram that featured lyrics from Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” She also included the following comments:
““This song is our love story. I’ll never forget where I was when I asked Jesus about Artem. Having a conversation with He & God. How my feelings felt too soon. It all felt too fast. And then this song came on. And that’s when I knew that I was falling in love with him and that it was all meant to be.”
Garcia and Chigvintsev met back in 2017 and at the time, Nikki was dating John Cena, but once their relationship ended, she began dating Artem. In the past Nikki did cite relationship troubles with Artem after having time away from him. Together they have a four-year old son named Matteo.
Along with her sister Brie, Nikki was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame back in 2021 along with JBL, The British Bulldog, Jushin Thunder Liger and the NWO.
If you are experiencing domestic violence you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org.
Artem Chigvintsev, the husband of former WWE star Nikki ‘Bella’ Garcia was briefly arrested on Thursday in Napa, California on charges of domestic battery.
TMZ broke the story of his arrest noting that a 911 call was made from Chigvintsev’s home reporting a ‘medical emergency’ at around 8:30 AM in the morning. It’s unknown who made the call.
As paramedics and the fire department were en route, however, someone from the house called 911 again and cancelled the request but did not give a reason. The paramedics and fire department both returned to their stations after this call, never making it to the house.
At 10 AM that morning, the deputies responded to a domestic violence call, at a location in the town of Yountville. The Dancing With The Stars regular was arrested on the spot for felony corporal injury to spouse or cohabitant. In order to make the arrest for a felony, the injury on the victim has to be visible.
BBC News revealed that Chigvintsev had been arrested under section 273.5(a) of the California penal code – corporal injury to spouse. If charged as a felony, it could lead to up to a four-year sentence.
Artem has since been released from jail. People has confirmed that Artem was booked in Napa County Jail within an hour of his arrest. He was given a $25,000 bail and released at 2:18 PM PT according to the county records.
Nikki Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev
Nikki Garcia fka Nikki Bella and Artem Chigvintsev first met when they were paired together on the 25th season of the Dancing With The Stars reality show in 2017.
Garcia was still in a relationship with her then-fiancé John Cena at the time but the couple split up a year later. Bella reconnected with Chigvintsev the same year and they announced their engagement in late 2019.
The couple welcomed their son Matteo in July 2020 and they officially got married in a private ceremony held in Paris in August 2022. The duo own a home together in Napa Valley and Instagram stories indicate Garcia was in Napa on Wednesday, presumably to celebrate their second wedding anniversary.
At the time of this writing, the identity of the alleged victim has not been revealed as they have asked for total confidentiality per sheriff’s rep.
The Napa County Sheriff’s Office has said that the alleged victim has so far been open to talking with investigators. They have provided some info as to what happened and law enforcement wants the alleged victim to help determine if there is a history of domestic violence with Artem.
The investigation remains ongoing and there is a possibility of other witnesses in the case. The Sheriff’s Office is also planning to discuss the case with prosecutors, with one of the topics of discussion being potential criminal charges against Artem.
Stay tuned with SEScoops for more details on the story.
You can call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for Domestic Violence Hotline or text START to 88788. More details about the issues can be found at US Department of Justice website here.
WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Garcia will sink her teeth into the world of competitive eating next month as part of an upcoming Netflix special. Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef will stream on Netflix on September 2 and will feature a stacked card of competitive eaters. Garica will be joined by actor/comedian Rob Riggle, broadcaster Cari Champion and sportscaster Chris Rose.
The titular showdown will see Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi face off in a battle to see who can eat the most hot dogs. The pair last went head to head in September 2009 and Kobayashi stomached 93 dogs to Chestnut’s 81.
The main event will be preceded by two undercards matches. Competitive eater, YouTuber and 2015 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest winner Matt Stonie will face an opponent yet to be announced, while another match will feature Guinness World Record holder for eating Leah Shutkever.
Fans in the U.S. will have access to Monday Night Raw each week, while those outside of the States will receive Raw, SmackDown, WWE NXT, and Premium Live Events. Netflix will not cover monthly PLEs in areas where deals are already in place with other distributors, such as India.
Prior to her recent hiatus, Baker had established herself as one of the top women in AEW. When Britt appeared on the Nikki & Brie Show, the conversation turned to a possible match between Baker and the former Nikki Bella.
Britt: It’s right here for you. Do you want it? Because I’m right here, if you need an opponent.
Nikki: I would come out of retirement for you.
Britt: I would love nothing more.
Nikki: You know what? This is my one thing: Doing a comeback, because I do wanna do a comeback in a few years…
Nikki’s most recent match was as part of the 2022 Women’s Royal Rumble which was won by the returning Ronda Rousey. Whilst the WWE Hall of Famer hasn’t competed since then, she has shown interest in joining AEW in the past. Of course, it would be up to Tony Khan whether a deal is offered to Garcia, but if that is the case, Baker is waiting for the longest-reigning WWE Divas Champion.
In the meantime, Garcia will continue to grow her media profile outside of the squared circle. The WWE Hall of Famer was recently announced for season three of the hit series The Traitors U.S. in which celebrities will try and decide which members aren’t telling the truth. Garcia has also appeared on Dancing With The Stars (where she met her now husband) and it remains to be seen if one more match is in her future.
Toni Storm keeps her Timeless character going, even during press conferences. This led to her bringing up Nikki Garcia in a very unflattering manner, but now the WWE Hall of Famer is answering back.
During the AEW Dynasty press conference, Toni Storm fired off a line about the former Nikki Bella as she said, “Nicole Garcia thought about joining AEW when she saw Mercedes did. You know why she didn’t? Because then she saw me and realized, she can’t hold a p*ssy scented candle to what I do.”
“P*ssy scented candle, what does that even means?” Nikki Garcia asked during the Nikki and Brie Show. Brie then said that she received phone calls asking if it was a pro wrestling term — it is not. Niki went on to explain her confusion about Storm’s comment.
“Listen, I love Toni Storm, and she’s doing this character now and i’ts great. I loved her in NXT. No I wasn’t bothered by it. I laughed. I was like, ‘p*ssy scented candle?!’ Then I’m trying to figure it out. Like, was it a diss? Maybe we should bring her on the podcast and ask her.”
Tony Khan Almost Got A Call From Nikki Bella
Nikki Garcia previously stated that she thought about calling Tony Khan after seeing Mercedes Mone debut with the company. She explained that her son, Matteo, needs her at home more than she wants to be on the road with AEW.
“When I saw Mercedes [Mone] debut and cut her promo, that line stuck with me, ‘Here, we’re going to make the evolution worldwide.’ I was like, ‘They do.’ It goes into many leagues, is what she means, it doesn’t have to be at one place. It can be at all these places where all these women are wrestling at. I go, ‘Brie, I think I can do it for a year. I can do it here to here and go every week.'”
“Then, I thought of Matteo. I had a good week of like, ‘This is it. I’m going to call Tony Khan. I’m your girl. I will commit.’ Then, I was like, ‘I can’t do that to my son right now. He needs me,'”
Nikki Bella retired from the ring in 2018 due to neck and spine issues, but she returned to compete in the Royal Rumble in 2022. The Bella Twins officially exited WWE in 2023 when their contracts ended.
Choosing to explore independent ventures, they still have a weekly podcast and Nikki is co-host of the USA Network’s Barmageddon.
Toni Storm did not hold back on non-PG wrestling references during her appearance on the post Dynasty media scrum.
The AEW Women’s World Champion defeated Thunder Rosa to retain her title at the company’s latest PPV event. At the press conference afterward, she decided that she didn’t wanna answer questions from the reporters. Storm read a pre written statement for everyone instead.
The female star made references to the Cody Rhodes – Bloodline story in her speech and also explained why Nikki Garcia decided not to join the company:
“How long do I have to do this? Week after week, night after night, before you realise that I am the one who is transcending this business? Just because I don’t go out there and say it, doesn’t mean it’s not true. Do I really have to tell you every single night. Are you that thick?
Too busy chasing people blithering about goosebumps and levels and storytelling and cinema, go see a fucking movie. Nicole Garcia thought about joining AEW when she saw Mercedes did. You know why she didn’t? Because then she saw me and realised, she can’t hold a pussy scented candle to what I do.”
It’s The Greatest Thing That Could Ever Happen To You: Toni Storm
Toni Storm then claimed that she is taking AEW to new heights by just being herself and that her success is her own:
“I am the one taking this company to new heights. And I don’t even try to. I’m just being me and it’s the greatest thing I could ever be. It’s the greatest thing that could happen to all of you too. For every one of you who saw me all those years ago and thought she has potential. You had absolutely no idea it was going to get this good, did you? Tomorrow morning your headlines should read ‘Holy fuck was I wrong?’
And Anthony, I promise you no matter how many matches I win, no matter how many stories I finish. I will never call you into the ring to celebrate with me. Being timeless means I’m not on your watch. My success is my own and [you’re] damn lucky to be a part of it. If any of you have a single question after that you are as stupid as you look.”
Storm was referring to the remarks the former WWE star made while talking about Mercedes Mone’s AEW debut. Nikki had said that she almost called Tony Khan after listening to Mone’s debut promo.
AEW has signed some big named over the past several months, including Will Ospreay, Kazuchika Okada, and Mercedes Mone. After seeing Mercedes debut in AEW, Nikki Garcia almost joined that list. On the latest episode of the Nikki & Brie Show, the multi-time WWE Women’s Champion disclosed that she almost picked up her phone and called Tony Khan about doing business. After giving it serious consideration, she decided against it because she wants to devote her time to being a mother to her son, Matteo.
“Since we’ve been lifting so much, we always say, we always start to get that wrestling mindset, ‘We’re going to go back and do this story and cut this promo.’ You get it, but how serious I got where I was like, ‘Okay, I think I can do maybe a year at AEW and I can do it every week.'”
“When I saw Mercedes [Mone] debut and cut her promo, that line stuck with me, ‘Here, we’re going to make the evolution worldwide.’ I was like, ‘They do.’ It goes into many leagues, is what she means, it doesn’t have to be at one place. It can be at all these places where all these women are wrestling at. I go, ‘Brie, I think I can do it for a year. I can do it here to here and go every week.’
Then, I thought of Matteo. I had a good week of like, ‘This is it. I’m going to call Tony Khan. I’m your girl. I will commit.’ Then, I was like, ‘I can’t do that to my son right now. He needs me,'”
You can listen to the full episode embedded here, including Nikki’s comments about nearly calling AEW President Tony Khan:
Nikki Bella’s WWE Career and Exit
Nikki Garcia made a name for herself for years in WWE as Nikki Bella. Her contributions to the company helped spearhead the Women’s Revolution in the company, where she was placed on top of the card for years.
During that time in WWE, she achieved several notable accomplishments in the company. Nikki is a two-time WWE Divas Champion, and she was named Diva of the Year for three consecutive years in 2013, 2014, and 2015, with the 2013 award being shared with her sister, Brie Bella.
Additionally, Nikki was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2020, alongside Brie as members of The Bella Twins.
Nikki Bella retired in 2018 because of neck and spine issues but made a comeback at the Royal Rumble in 2022. The Bella Twins left WWE in 2023 after their contracts ended to pursue independent ventures.
Since her WWE exit, Nikki has hosted Barmageddon, a show that aired after WWE RAW for a while. It was not lost on fans when Michael Cole internationally omitted her name while promoting the show during RAW.
Nikki Bella later commented on that snub from WWE to say, “I think more than anything, it’s disappointing. I worked there for 16 years and I helped paved the way for them. Not only that, they’ve always been family to me.”
The pro wrestling world was shaken up in a huge way when Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon was made public. This lawsuit, which alleges sexual abuse, extortion, and assault, could break the company wide open if private texts and emails are exposed for all to see. To prepare themselves for what’s to come, Nikki and Brie Bella are now speaking out.
The Garcia Twins Respond
The Bella Twins are no longer in WWE, as they allowed their contracts to expire. Now as the Garcia Twins, they are doing their thing in the public eye. After those damning allegations against Vince McMahon, Nikki and Brie had to speak up.
The official Twitter/X account for the Garcia Twins sent out a public announcement about the recent lawsuit and the mountain of allegations that it included. It was made very clear that the WWE Hall of Fame team do not condone anything that the earth-shattering lawsuit alleged, and they support women in every way that they can.
We are shocked and disheartened with the recent allegations against members of the WWE. It has been a lot to process since we found out this past week as you all did. This is something we don’t stand for or condone from anyone no matter who they are. We want all women to feel safe and supported in the workplace and in their everyday lives.
The Bella Twins’ Connection to Vince McMahon’s Big Lawsuit
That lawsuit from Janel Grant wasn’t just against WWE and Vince McMahon, because John Laurinaitis was also named as a defendant. Laurinaitis is also married to Nikki and Brie’s mother.
John and Kathy Laurinaitis were married in 2016, years before the allegations in that lawsuit allegedly took place. Their wedding was also used as a storyline device on Total Divas. As of this writing, Laurinaitis has not released any public statement on this matter, but Vince McMahon’s camp sent out a response of denial.
It was also made clear in McMahon’s statement after his resignation from WWE that he was still claiming total innocence from the allegations in Grant’s lawsuit. SE Scoops will have continued coverage of this story.
Allegations In Janel Grant’s Lawsuit
Former WWE employee Janel Grant has filed a lawsuit against McMahon, accusing him of sex trafficking. The lawsuit, filed on Thursday morning, alleges that McMahon, while serving as WWE’s Chief Executive, subjected Grant to sexual abuse and exploitation. The suit claims McMahon coerced her into sexual relations under the promise of career advancement and later trafficked her to other men within WWE.
Grant, who signed a nondisclosure agreement with WWE in 2022, asserts that she first encountered McMahon in 2019 in their shared apartment building. McMahon purportedly promised her work at WWE and showered her with gifts. The lawsuit further claims that McMahon pressured her into sexual activities to secure her a job. Grant was hired as an “administration coordinator” in June 2019, a position the suit alleges McMahon created for her under John Laurinaitis. However, she reportedly had little work, leading to complaints from other WWE employees and Grant feeling her job was undeserved.
Grant further alleges that McMahon sent explicit messages, increased demands for sex, and used “toys” forcefully during intimate encounters, causing injuries. She claims McMahon shared photos and videos of her with other WWE executives and wrestlers, recruiting others within WWE to have sex with her, including then WWE head of talent relations John Laurinaitis. The suit alleges Grant’s mental and physical health declined, leading to McMahon sending her to a “celebrity doctor” in November, with McMahon later paying $20,000 for surgery.
The lawsuit contends that Grant was transferred to the talent-relations division in May 2021, working directly under Laurinaitis. A month later, Grant alleges McMahon and Laurinaitis locked her in an office, sexually assaulting her in turns, followed by McMahon assaulting her again a week later.
