Nikki Garcia’s Husband Domestic Battery Arrest Update – Artem Chigvintsev Granted Restraining Order Agianst Garcia & Clamming He Was Not the Aggressor

As noted before, WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Garcia’s husband Artem Chigvintsev arrested for domestic battery this past August in Napa, California. Garcia filed for her divorce from Chigvintsev this past September and the charges against him were dropped later that month. Garcia was granted a restraining order against Chigvintsev on Thursday that featured details of the alleged abuse she suffered at the hands of her husband.

The New York Post reported that Chigvintsev had also filed and was granted a restraining order against Garcia on Thursday.

In a statement given to the New York Post, Chigvintsev’s lawyer Ilona Antonyan denied the allegations made against him by Garcia in her restraining order petition and claimed that “he was not the primary aggressor.

“It is crucial to consider the motivations of both parties in this situation.

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.’

That day, someone was going to be arrested, and it wouldn’t have been Mr. Chigvintsev if Ms. Garcia Colace had told the truth.

[Chigvintsev] denies ever tackling her. He was shocked to learn two weeks after the incident that she made this allegation against him; at that point it made sense to him why he was arrested.

As a result of 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.”

In his filing, Chigvintsev agreed with Garcia’s claim in her petition that their altercation began with a fight over their son Matteo and his breakfast but disputed Garcia’s side of how this dispute arose. Chigvintsev claims that Garcia had criticized him on the morning of August 29th for not having their child’s breakfast and packed lunch prepared and had complained that their son’s muffin was not toasted enough. Chigvintsev claimed that Garcia seemed stressed due to her job that was coming up” as host of the Netflix live competitive eating special, “Unfinished Beef.” Chigvintsev also claimed that Garcia’s statement of her saying that she does everything and I don’t help is absolutely false. Chigvintsev also claimed that his wife continued to berate him as he took their son toward the door to leave for school.

Chigvintsev also claimed that their fight then escalated during a discussion about their son’s shoes stating “[Bella] completely lost it and started screaming ‘get the f – – k out of my house, I am sick of all of it, I had enough” and “followed by [her] forcefully throwing both of Matteo’s sneakers at me. She hit my chest area but fortunately the shoes did not hit Matteo although he was right next to me. [M]y first reaction was obviously safety of Matteo because he was standing right by my side.

Chigvintsev claimed that their son Matteo was “very confused and look[ed] frightened” while Garcia “continue[d] yelling about wanting a divorce.”

Chigvintsev also claimed that the reason he took their son upstairs was due to he had to protect their son and tried to deescalate the situation but this had the opposite effect instead. Chigvintsev also claimed that Garcia’s lack of self-control when she “tried to force herself in to open the door” was the reason why their son was crying.

Chigvintsev also claimed that it was Garcia who was the aggressor and claimed she continued to physically attack him and push her way in. Chigvintsev admitted that there was a “mutual struggle, and both ended up on the ground.”

In regards to the police showing up and his arrest, Chigvintsev stated that he was shocked when he was arrested and claimed his wife had lied to sheriffs. Chigvintsev claimed that Garcia and not him was the primary aggressor. Chigvintsev also denied claims made by Garcia in her petition over what happened during their struggle and also claimed that Garcia lied to the police about their physical incident.

In his filing, Chigvintsev provided photos that allegedly show wounds he sustained as a result of his fight with Garcia.

It was reported that per the court order granting Chigvintsev’s restraining order, the couple for the time being will share joint custody of their son and “there shall be reasonable daily FaceTime contact between the child and non custodial parent.” The judge also ruled that “neither parent shall make negative statements about the other in the presence of hearing of the child or question the child about the other parent.”

It was also reported that both Garcia and Chigvintsev are both seeking permanent restraining orders against the other and are current scheduled to be in court on October 21st for a hearing to consider their requests.