Nikki Garcia Dishes On Royal Rumble Run-In With Ex John Cena

Nikki Garcia, previously often known as Nikki Bella, is getting candid about her transient however emotional reunion with ex-fiancé John Cena, their first assembly since they known as off their engagement in 2018.

The WWE star and “Complete Bellas” alum mirrored on the second throughout a latest look on the “Truthfully Cavallari” podcast, hosted by Kristin Cavallari.

The episode, recorded in March throughout Cavallari’s podcast tour, featured Nikki Garcia and her twin sister Brie as friends and revealed that the long-awaited run-in happened backstage on the 2025 Royal Rumble in February.

“It was very fast,” Nikki recalled. “Out of respect,” she added, referencing the truth that Cena is now a married man. The “Peacemaker” actor wed Shay Shariatzadeh in 2020.

“I used to be in a circle speaking to folks. He got here to [shake] everybody’s hand. He shook my hand,” she defined. Kristin expressed shock that the previous flames didn’t share a hug, however Nikki confirmed the interplay was transient and formal.

“We simply mentioned, ‘Hey, good to see you. I believe final time we have been engaged? I don’t know, it’s been some time,’” Nikki shared with fun. “However the factor was, when he walked away, all the women have been like, ‘Oh my gosh.’ I’m like, ‘Shh, shh. He’s married, be respectful.’ And that was it.”

Regardless of the brief trade, Nikki described the encounter as a constructive step ahead. “It was nice as a result of [it] broke the ice. We simply each occurred to be again on the similar time. It’s a very good feeling.”

Cavallari playfully teased, “Everybody desires you guys to be collectively,” prompting Nikki to rapidly shut it down, “Oh, gosh. Oh, subsequent query!”

Nikki and John first started courting in 2012, however their relationship, although stuffed with public moments, had its challenges.

Earlier than shifting in collectively, John reportedly made Nikki signal a 75-page contract with strict life-style phrases, together with being labeled a “visitor” in his house. The couple received engaged at WrestleMania 33 in 2017, however in the end known as off their wedding ceremony, initially set for Could 2018.

In a press release on the time, the couple mentioned, “Whereas this resolution was a tough one, we proceed to have a substantial amount of love and respect for each other.”

They briefly tried to reconcile that summer season, however by July 2018, Nikki confirmed the connection was formally over. “After a lot time and soul-searching… I do know that is what’s greatest for me,” she informed Us Weekly.

Since then, Nikki has moved on and constructed a household of her personal.

She welcomed her son, Matteo, in 2020 with skilled dancer Artem Chigvintsev, whom she met throughout “Dancing with the Stars.” The 2 married in 2022, however the marriage ended simply two years later amid a public and tough divorce.

The cut up adopted Artem’s 2024 arrest on suspicion of home violence, although no expenses have been filed, and resulted in a courtroom order for Nikki to pay $200,000 in spousal help, plus $3,500 monthly in baby help.

“Sure, I needed to give him $200,000,” Nikki confirmed. “Spousal help, alimony. Our choose mentioned on the finish of it, ‘That is the primary time in all of the years I’ve completed this the place a girl needed to pay a person. You ought to be so rattling proud that you simply constructed such an empire that somebody desires a bit of it.’”

The altercation reportedly occurred at their house in Napa and started over a seemingly minor disagreement: making their son Matteo’s English muffin “a bit crispier.”

In keeping with Nikki, the dialog rapidly escalated, with Chigvintsev yelling, blaming her for Matteo being a “choosy eater,” and refusing to let her communicate. Feeling overwhelmed, Garcia mentioned she tried to de-escalate by stepping outdoors to pack her son’s belongings into the automotive.