Nikki Garcia is calling it quits on her two-year marriage. Just weeks after husband Artem Chigvintsev was arrested on domestic violence charges, the former pro wrestler — also known by her WWE stage name, Nikki Bella — has filed for divorce, TMZ reports.
The Total Bellas star filed for divorce on Wednesday. Reports previously indicated that the entertainer was shopping for divorce attorneys just a day after her now ex’s arrest. TMZ reports she has hired Evan Craig Itzkowitz to represent her in the matter. The couple share a 4-year-old son, Matteo.
Sources Indicated a Filing Was All But Certain After the Arrest
Artem Chigvintsev was arrested on accusations of corporal injury to spouse on Aug. 29. He was booked in the Napa County Jail and later released on $25,000 bail. Since the arrest, Chgvintsev has stayed with a friend while Nikki Garcia remains at their marital home with their son.
A source told The Daily Mail that the estranged couple has “limited dialogue with each other” as they navigate the end of their marriage. They have asked for “privacy” thus far, but with the divorce on the table, that might change. The source also says Garcia has a particular idea for things moving forward.
If and when he sees Matteo, Nikki wants it supervised. Her trust has been thrown out the door and she is very angry with Artem, he has an uphill battle ahead of him. The whole thing is a mess.
She has tried and tried to make it work, but she feels divorce is the only option. It hurts but Nikki is such a strong woman, and she is doing what is right for her, and for Matteo.
Just days after the arrest, the writing seemed to be on the wall when Garcia appeared to host Netflix’s Unfinished Beef hot-dog eating competition. She kept a smiley and cool demeanor, but fans noted that she was no longer wearing her wedding ring.
Many speculate that the divorce, kicked off by an ugly incident, only stands to have more contention ahead. Ultimately, the two will have to co-parent to some degree. While no one’s happy about where things have ended up, they have a common goal to work toward regardless of their marital status. How they handle that is up to them.
