Former WWE champion to pay ex-husband $200k in two lump sums and then $3.5k a month – despite filing for divorce because of domestic abuse allegations
Former WWE star Nikki Bella – or Nikki Garcia – and Artem Chingvintsec have finalised their divorce, with the ex-wrestler ordered to pay monthly child support as well as two lump sums.
Bella, one half of the famed Bella Twins tag team along with identical sister Brie, has worked for the WWE in spurts for well over a decade, and her personal life cam to light last year when professional dancer Chingvintsev was arrested and charged with corporal injury to a spouse.
The dancer himself also accused his estranged wife of domestic violence, one month after she filed to end their two-year marriage.
The Dancing With the Stars alum claims the former WWE wrestler was ‘the aggressor’ in their recent domestic violence dispute, which led to his arrest on August 29.
Chigvintsev received a restraining order against Garcia, who was granted her own against him earlier in the day, and details of their divorce have now been revealed.
According to SI, Garcia has been ordered by a judge to pay her now ex-husband $3,500 a month in child supports for their son, Matteo. She has also been ordered to pay $200,000 by the end of the year, split into two even lump sums.
A former WWE champion to pay ex-husband $200k in two lump sums and then $3.5k a month
Nikki Bella has divorced from Artem Chingvintsec after both parties accused the other of domestic violence
Nikki Bella alleged that professional dancer Chingvintsec (left) attacked her in front of their son Matteo (right)
She will also reportedly be responsible for Matteo’s speech therapy bills, with the cost of extracurricular activities split and major holidays with each parent alternating each year.
Nikki submitted a sworn declaration to a California court back in October that detailed how Chigvintsev allegedly attacked her in front of Matteo inside their Napa, California home, as reported by TMZ.
Chigvintsev was arrested and jailed on domestic violence charges in Napa County on August 29. But the charges were dropped following a ‘thorough’ criminal investigation by the Napa County District Attorney.
In her filing, Nikki claimed that Chigvintsev had ‘tackled me multiple times and pinned me to the ground while our child was present’ during an argument over breakfast.
She claimed that Chigvintsev had become ‘increasingly angry, snapping at me and yelling’ after not being asked to return to Dancing With The Stars for season 33.
Nikki said that she had discussed Chigvintsev’s alleged anger issues with him on several occasions.
On the morning of August 29, Nikki claimed that Chigvintsev flew into a rage over how Matteo’s English muffin should be toasted. He allegedly began screaming at Nikki, blaming her for making their son a ‘picky eater.’
Nikki admitted that she threw Matteo’s toddler-size seven shoe at Chigvintsev during the argument because she was overwhelmed by his ‘shouting.’
Chigvintsev was arrested and jailed on domestic violence charges in Napa County on August 29 last year – charges were later dropped
The shoe hit Chigvintsev’s leg but Nikki insisted that it was so light and small that it could not have possibly hurt the Russian pro dancer. She claimed that Chigvintsev reacted by grabbing Matteo and running upstairs.
Nikki alleged in her filing that Matteo began screaming, ‘Mommy! Mommy!’ as Artem took the little boy to his bedroom. Once Nikki reached Matteo’s bedroom door, she claimed that Artem opened it and immediately tackled her to the ground.
She alleged that Chigvintsev held her down by her arms for what ‘felt like 30 seconds.’
Nikki said Chigvintsev eventually let go of her and headed back into Matteo’s room, closing the door again.
When she tried to gain entry for a second time, Chigvintsev allegedly opened the door and forcefully pushed her across the hall into their bedroom.
She claimed that Chigvintsev forced her down to the ground in their master bathroom and proceeded to place his ‘hands on her chest near her sternum, pressing down.’ Nikki said it felt like she was being ‘suffocated’ before grabbing at Chigvintsev’s neck in an attempt to get free.
When police arrived at the home following a 911 call, Chigvintsev and Nikki’s son allegedly told responding officers: ‘Daddy hurt my hand.’
In the filing, Nikki also recalled another alleged incident of physical violence with Chigvintsev.
Chigvintsev, meanwhile, showed marks and bloody scratches on his elbow and hands as well as behind his ear that he alleges were inflicted upon him by Bella
In images, submitted to the Superior Court of California, meanwhile, Chigvintsev showed marks and bloody scratches on his elbow and hands as well as behind his ear that he alleges were inflicted upon him by Garcia.
In a statement, obtained by Page Six, his attorney, Ilona Antonyan, claimed: ‘Mr. Chigvintsev contacted law enforcement on 8/29/24 seeking protection from his wife’s persistent aggression.’
‘While he was on the phone with the police, Ms. Garcia-Colace made a pointed statement, saying, “Do you understand where this is going now, Artem? You just ruined my career, and you know it.”‘ Antonyan continued.
