Nikki Garcia has been granted a restraining order against her estranged husband, Artem Chigvintsev, following his August arrest for alleged domestic violence.
TMZ reported on Thursday that Garcia submitted a sworn declaration to a California court, outlining how Chigvintsev allegedly assaulted her inside their Napa Valley home.
The former WWE star, known as Nikki Bella, claimed that the “Dancing With the Stars” alum “tackled [her] multiple times and pinned [her] to the ground while [their] child was present,” according to TMZ.
Garcia, 40, and Chigvintsev, 42, have a 4-year-old son named Matteo.
According to the outlet, Garcia stated that after the professional dancer was eliminated from “DWTS,” he became “increasingly angry, snapping at [her] and yelling.”
The couple reportedly discussed his need to manage his anger.
On the morning of the incident, the retired wrestler claimed that Chigvintsev erupted over how Matteo’s English muffin should be toasted, allegedly shouting that she was making their son a “picky eater.”
Garcia confessed that she felt so overwhelmed by Chigvintsev’s yelling that she threw their son’s toddler-size 7 shoes in his direction.
She stated that the shoes hit his leg but were so light that they couldn’t have actually caused any harm.
Garcia alleged that Chigvintsev took Matteo and ran upstairs while the boy cried, “Mommy! Mommy!” When she followed them upstairs and attempted to enter the room, Chigvintsev reportedly opened the door and tackled her to the ground.
He allegedly grabbed her arms and held her there for what she described as feeling like 30 seconds.
Matteo reportedly told responding officers, “Daddy hurt my hand.”
TMZ also reported that Garcia accused Chigvintsev of being physically violent on a previous occasion; in mid-2023, he allegedly “violently grabbed [her] around [her] waist” to prevent her from reaching their child.
Chigvintsev is barred from contacting or approaching Garcia and Matteo within 100 yards, except for court-ordered visitation or exchanges involving the child.
According to TMZ, Garcia requested permission to take their son to London, where she will be working on a project, but the judge denied this request pending a full hearing later this month.
The report also mentioned that while Chigvintsev has not been residing at the family home since the incident that led to his arrest, the judge will not issue a “move-out order” until the hearing takes place.
Garcia filed for divorce from Chigvintsev, whom she married in August 2022, less than two weeks after his arrest on August 29, seeking full custody of Matteo.
TMZ reported on Thursday that Garcia submitted a sworn declaration to a California court, outlining how Chigvintsev allegedly assaulted her inside their Napa Valley home.
The former WWE star, known as Nikki Bella, claimed that the “Dancing With the Stars” alum “tackled [her] multiple times and pinned [her] to the ground while [their] child was present,” according to TMZ.
Garcia, 40, and Chigvintsev, 42, have a 4-year-old son named Matteo.
According to the outlet, Garcia stated that after the professional dancer was eliminated from “DWTS,” he became “increasingly angry, snapping at [her] and yelling.”
The couple reportedly discussed his need to manage his anger.
On the morning of the incident, the retired wrestler claimed that Chigvintsev erupted over how Matteo’s English muffin should be toasted, allegedly shouting that she was making their son a “picky eater.”
Garcia confessed that she felt so overwhelmed by Chigvintsev’s yelling that she threw their son’s toddler-size 7 shoes in his direction.
She stated that the shoes hit his leg but were so light that they couldn’t have actually caused any harm.
Garcia alleged that Chigvintsev took Matteo and ran upstairs while the boy cried, “Mommy! Mommy!” When she followed them upstairs and attempted to enter the room, Chigvintsev reportedly opened the door and tackled her to the ground.
He allegedly grabbed her arms and held her there for what she described as feeling like 30 seconds.
Matteo reportedly told responding officers, “Daddy hurt my hand.”
TMZ also reported that Garcia accused Chigvintsev of being physically violent on a previous occasion; in mid-2023, he allegedly “violently grabbed [her] around [her] waist” to prevent her from reaching their child.
Chigvintsev is barred from contacting or approaching Garcia and Matteo within 100 yards, except for court-ordered visitation or exchanges involving the child.
According to TMZ, Garcia requested permission to take their son to London, where she will be working on a project, but the judge denied this request pending a full hearing later this month.
The report also mentioned that while Chigvintsev has not been residing at the family home since the incident that led to his arrest, the judge will not issue a “move-out order” until the hearing takes place.
Garcia filed for divorce from Chigvintsev, whom she married in August 2022, less than two weeks after his arrest on August 29, seeking full custody of Matteo.
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