[Warning: Potentially Triggering Content]
We are finally finding out what happened the day Artem Chigvintsev was arrested a few months ago.
As we previously reported, the Dancing With the Stars alum called 911 on the morning of August 29, telling the dispatch his now estranged wife, Nikki Garcia (better known as Nikki Bella), threw a shoe at him and required medical assistance. He canceled the request. However, the police still showed up at their Napa Valley home. After cops found visible injuries on the victim, they arrested Artem and charged him with corporal injury to a spouse. Nikki has since filed for divorce from the professional dancer.
Related: Nikki Garcia’s Sister Brie Seemingly Calls Out Artem Chigvintsev For ‘Lies’!
We had no idea what went down — other than his attorney saying he “was not the primary aggressor” in the situation after the charges were dropped. Now, the details have come out, and it paints a completely different picture than the one his lawyer tried to create!
According to TMZ on Thursday night, Nikki filed a restraining order against her estranged husband on Monday. A judge already signed off on it — after the television personality submitted a sworn declaration to the court about the abuse she suffered at the hands of Artem. Brace yourselves. It’s disturbing.
In her petition, Nikki claimed Artem “tackled me multiple times and pinned me to the ground while our child was present.” OMG! Ever since he was kicked off DWTS, she said he became “increasingly angry, snapping at me, and yelling.” Per the petition, they talked about his need to control his anger, but things escalated on the morning of August 29. That day, Nikki claimed Artem screamed at her over their kid’s English muffin needing to be toasted and how she made him a “picky eater.” WTF.
Nikki said she was so overwhelmed by Artem yelling that she eventually threw Matteo’s size 7 shoes toward the Strictly Come Dancing alum. According to the WWE star, the shoes hit his leg — but it was not hard enough to injure him. She recalled Artem then grabbed Matteo and ran upstairs with him, as their son yelled:
“Mommy! Mommy!”
When Nikki attempted to get into their kid’s room, Artem allegedly opened the door, tackled her to the ground, grabbed her arms, and pinned her for around 30 seconds. Whoa. Afterward, she said he went back into the room and closed the door. As Nikki tried to get inside again, per the doc, Artem opened it and shoved her across the hall into their bedroom before forcing her to the bathroom floor. The Total Bellas star claimed Artem pressed down on her chest near her sternum to the point where she felt like she was suffocating. Jeez! So scary! She then grabbed his neck to try to get him off her. When police arrived at the scene, Matteo told them:
“Daddy hurt my hand.”
Oh no… We hate that little Matteo not only witnessed the alleged violence his mother experienced but got injured in the process. And this was not the only time Artem got physically violent with her. Nikki claimed it happened on one other occasion in mid-2023. The dancer allegedly “violently grabbed me around my waist” to keep her away from Matteo. It wasn’t just physical abuse. She further claimed there were several instances where Artem verbally abused her. So, so awful.
Now, Nikki wants Artem to go to therapy and anger management and stay away from her and Matteo until his behavior has improved. As we mentioned, the judge signed off on the restraining order. That means Artem is not allowed to contact or come within 100 yards of Nikki, their kid, or their home. The only exception is for visitation or exchange of Matteo based on court-ordered visits.
While Nikki asked to leave the country with Matteo to film a project in London, the judge denied the request until the full hearing on October 21. The judge did not grant a “move-out order” for Artem until the hearing, too. However, he reportedly has not been living at their shared home since the alleged domestic violence incident.
At this time, Artem has not addressed the allegations from Nikki. Her rep did issue a statement to TMZ, saying:
“Due to the incident that led to Artem’s arrest on August 29, 2024, Nikki has decided to file for a temporary Domestic Violence Restraining Order to protect herself and her son. Although Nikki requested that the Napa District Attorney not file charges against Artem as she did not want him to go to jail, he must still be held accountable for his actions, and Nikki and her son must be protected. Nikki’s number one priority has always been the wellbeing of her son. She is thankful for all of the love and support she has received and continues to ask for privacy for her and her family during this difficult time.”
What a terrifying situation. Reactions, Perezcious readers? Let us know in the comments.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Consider calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, or text START to 88788, or go to https://www.thehotline.org/.
[Image via Brian To/WENN, FayesVision/WENN]
