From Marriage to Divorce: Nikki Bella and Artem Chigvintsev’s Relationship Timeline

2017

The brunette beauty and the Russian native first met during season 25 of Dancing with the Stars. The two were partnered up with each other and were sent home on night seven of the competition.

2017

At the time, Nikki was engaged to her then-longtime beau John Cena. Meanwhile, Artem had called it quits with Chicago Med’s Tori DeVitto, whom he dated from May 2016 to May 2017.

September 2017

When asked about her wedding plans, Nikki, who was standing next to Artem during the interview, said it would be cool to learn a few moves from him. “I would love for them to help us out,” she told E! News at the time. “Can you imagine going to someone’s wedding and they just whip out these insane moves?”

Spetember 2017

Artem was on board with the idea of helping out his then-dance partner and her former fiancé. “Well, if John is going to be up for you know, taking some dance lessons, I’m sure we can figure something out.”

November 2017

Two months later, John sort of confirmed he was down with the idea. “As far as dancing, I think he’s probably gonna teach me my first dance,” the wrestler told E! News at the time, referring to Artem. “So hopefully I’ll be able to take those tips from him there.” How awkward!

April 2018

Nikki and John called their engagement off after six years together. “While this decision was a difficult one, we continue to have a great deal of love and respect for one another. We ask that you respect our privacy during this time in our lives,” read a statement the couple shared with Us Weekly.

July 2018

Despite calling off the wedding, the reality star reunited with the actor once again. However, their relationship didn’t last for long. “After I called off the engagement, we tried to work on our relationship to get back to where it was in order to move forward with our wedding,” she said in a statement on July 31. “After much time and soul-searching alone, and together, we have decided to officially part ways. I had a beautiful and loving six-year relationship with a wonderful man. I have the utmost respect for John, but I know this is what’s best for me.”

October 2018

In October, Nikki confessed she’s not interested in dating anyone. “It feels like, you know, when you get married and the next day people are like, ‘When are you having kids?’ and it’s like, ‘I just got married.’ I feel like it’s the same thing. When you become single, it’s like, ‘Oh, are you dating?!'” she told People at the time. “Honestly, I’m so not interested. I’m just not ready yet.”

November 2018

Despite not being ready, she did try putting herself out there. In November, Total Bellas released a sneak peak of her date with The Bachelorette’s Peter Kraus. “I feel like I’m 15,” she told her twin sister, Brie Bella, as Peter tried to FaceTime her. “I don’t know if I’m ready for this.”

January 2019

Once again, Nikki sparked dating rumors but this time, it was finally with Artem. A source revealed to Us Weekly that the couple had been seeing each other “for a while” now.

January 2019

Not too long after news broke that Nikki and Artem were dating, a source exclusively revealed to Life & Style that the couple share a connection. “They got together for dinner and the chemistry from the dance floor came right back,” the insider said. “They hit it off. They’re taking it slow, but they’re really into each other.”

March 2019

On March 8, Nikki was spotted leaving Artem’s house early in the morning. This created more speculation, especially since neither of them commented on their relationship at the time.

March 2019

If her leaving his place wasn’t enough indication that they were, in fact, seeing each other, their PDA-filled lunch sure was. On March 10, the two were seen getting cozy and kissing in public.

March 2019

Finally! Nikki took to the first episode of “The Bellas Podcast,” which premiered on March 27, to confirm her relationship with Artem. “Yes, we are dating. Yes, I spend the night at his house,” she said. “Yes, we have date lunches at Joan’s on Third and we like to get food for his house — or should I say, produce from the farmer’s markets. So, let’s consider this rumor killed.”

June 2019

They soon became inseparable. They couldn’t help but notice how much they miss each other when they were apart before reuniting in Napa Valley. “Artem flew all the way from London to Napa Valley to meet me at BottleRock,” she explained on her podcast. “I hadn’t seen Artem for a week and a half and I’ll admit during that week and a half, I realized how much I missed my, beautiful, smart, handsome … dancer.”

June 2019

For Artem’s birthday on June 12, Nikki took to Instagram to give her beau a sweet shout-out. “Happy Birthday to a man who not only makes my face smile, but my heart,” she wrote. “You’re a special one, Mr. Chigvintsev! Your relaxing, calm, patient, kind, happy energy and aura is contagious! You truly are the kindest soul I have ever met. Thank you for bringing a lot of sunshine into my life. Happy Birthday, my Artem.”

July 2019

The pair make their red carpet debut on July 11, at the Kids’ Choice Sports Awards. They were nothing but smiles.

July 2019

On July 17, Nikki revealed on her podcast that she and Artem are finally official. “We’re boyfriend and girlfriend,” she said. “We’re in a relationship.” It was about time!

October 2019

Nikki admitted in October 2019 that she and her hunky man began cohabitating. “I was supposed to do a show in New Zealand right when my lease was up. Then I couldn’t do the show but had given up my place, so I was like ‘Hey, can I live with you?’” she told Life & Style exclusively.

December 2019

Nikki and Artem hosted their first Christmas dinner as a couple on December 25, admitting that they spent all day cooking together.

January 2020

On January 3, the couple revealed they got engaged in late 2019. “Excited for 2020 and the next decade with you @theartemc,” Nikki wrote on Instagram at the time. “I said yes in France in November! We have been trying to keep it a secret but really wanted to share our excitement for the New Year!”

January 2020

On January 29, the lovebirds revealed they are expecting their first child together. Nikki gushed about the news on IG, giving her future husband a sweet shout-out. “@theartemc, your pure joy, bliss, love and happiness has meant everything to me!” she wrote. “To already watch you step up to be the best dad for this little one makes my heart smile so big! I know we aren’t husband and wife yet but I love our commitment to this child already.”

August 2020

On August 1, Nikki took to Instagram to announce the arrival of her and Artem’s first child, who was born on July 31. “Our baby boy is here and we couldn’t be HAPPIER and more in LOVE! Everyone is safe and healthy,” she gushed.

September 2020

The Russian dancer told Extra he and his ladylove will “definitely” be marrying “soon,” now that they’ve welcomed their sweet son to the world. “We don’t want to do the wedding with masks … Want to do it when things get better,” Artem told the outlet at the time.

September 2020

“I’ve always prided myself that … I can fight a lot of things mentally,” Nikki explained during “The Bellas Podcast” on September 30. “I’m very strong in that way. Postpartum has knocked me on my ass. This is something that is way different.”

The starlet went on to explain that her fiancé’s demanding rehearsal and shooting schedule amid his Dancing With the Stars stint left her feeling “lonely” and “unloved,” especially when Artem would come home and give their son attention first.

After having a chat with her sister, Nikki approached her beau and talked it out with him. “I felt bad for Artem because it made him feel terrible and he’s like, ‘I wish you came to me sooner … I felt like you were starting to hate me … You could be mean,’” Nikki recollected on the podcast. “I’m not gonna lie, I did have moments of being mean, but I did have moments when I looked at him and I hated him … He was just so sad the fact that I was feeling all these things and I never told him.”

October 2020

Nikki revealed she and her sister moved to Napa Valley, California! “Artem and I already have a home there we’re very excited about, and we downsized as well because the Danielsons rubbed off on us [amid the coronavirus pandemic],” the athlete explained on “The Bellas Podcast.”

November 2020

The WWE alum revealed she and her fiancé plan to start couples therapy when Artem’s stint on season 29 of DWTS is complete. “We’re going to start classes as a couple because we’ve realized that we both feel like we’re not listening to each other,” Nikki told Us Weekly about the sessions, which will be with their trusted life coach. “We finally both just said, like, ‘We need to bring someone in to help us so we don’t get [back] into that place.’”

The decision came after the couple did some work on their relationship following Nikki’s admission she needed “more attention” amid Artem’s busy schedule. “That is something we’ve worked on, and that’s gotten better,” she noted. “Artem and I have great communication, but it’s been lacking, but that’s something that we’ve been so strong about in our relationship [in the past].”

August 2022

Husband and wife! “We said I DO, can’t wait to share the entire journey with you all when our four-part special event, Nikki Bella Says I Do, premieres on @eentertainment,” Nikki announced in an August 29, 2022, Instagram post where she showed off their wedding rings.

May 2023

Artem posted a heartfelt Mother’s Day tribute to Nikki, sharing a series of photos of her with Matteo.

In the caption he wrote, “To the best mommy there ever is, Tay Tay and I are so lucky to have you, and we absolutely love how caring, thoughtful, protective and loving you are. We love you so much and miss you today, but we will make sure to celebrate with you when you are back. Tay Tay and Daddy.”

August 2023

Nikki shared an Instagram video featuring their wedding highlights on their one-year anniversary

“Happy Anniversary Artem. I can’t believe it’s already been a year. I would do anything for you, me and Matteo to runaway to Paris together again. I fall more in love with you every day. You are everything I could have dreamed of. I love doing life with you. I love you so much,” the former wrestler gushed in an August 26 post.

February 2023

In a Valentine’s Day tribute, Nikki gushed to Artem, “Happy Valentine’s Day Daddy! You and me have been through so much, we’ve had our share of highs and lows and bumps in the road but through it all we always make it out stronger and more in love than ever.”

She continued, “You make me better and want to work as hard as I can so you, Matteo and I can spend every day together. You are home to me. So thankful God brought us together … and then gave us Matteo.”

August 2024

Artem was booked on a felony domestic violence charge in Napa County jail on Thursday, August 29, Life & Style confirmed via online arrest records. According to California Penal Code Section 273.5(a), PC makes it illegal to injure a spouse, cohabitant or fellow parent in an act of domestic violence. This offense is also referred to as domestic abuse, domestic violence, or corporal injury to a spouse.

It was unclear at the time of his arrest if Nikki was involved in any way. Three days prior on August 26, Nikki shared a moving second wedding anniversary Instagram post, recalling the song that helped her realize she was falling in love with Artem. In return, the dancer posted a photo of their wedding day and wrote, “Happy anniversary my love, can’t see my life with out you.
You are my everything.”

August 2024

One day after Artem’s arrest, Nikki broke her silence in a statement to Us Weekly on August 30, 2024.

“This is a private matter, and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time,” a rep for Nikki told the outlet.

That same day, friends of the couple called the incident later “shocking but not shocking” in a statement to TMZ.

September 2024

Nikki hinted she was in good spirits when hosting a hot dog eating contest just four days after her husband’s arrest on September 2.

“I’m so happy to be here,” Nikki – who was noticeably not wearing her wedding ring during the occasion – told the audience.

Later that month, after sparking divorce rumors by hiring an attorney, Life & Style confirmed Nikki filed for divorce from Artem on September 11, 2024, according to online records.

The former professional wrestler filed the paperwork in Napa Valley, California.

Although the reason behind the split is unclear, that same day, insiders exclusively told Life & Style that Artem was “known to have a temper.”

“He’s a perfectionist and that makes him impatient at times,” explains the source. “Nikki made excuses for him, saying it was because he was so passionate about his craft.” According to the source, the relationship “was volatile. He came across as angry to a good many people, including his former partners and colleagues.”

September 13, 2024

Two days after Nikki filed for divorce, Artem filed his own paperwork in response. He requested joint legal and physical custody of their son, Matteo, along with spousal support, according to Us Weekly.

September 25, 2024

The charges against Artem were dropped on September 24, 2024, and the following day, he broke his silence regarding his arrest.

“I am incredibly relieved and grateful that the domestic violence charges against me have been dropped,” he told E! News. “This has been an extremely difficult time for me. I am thankful that the truth has prevailed.”

October 3, 2024

Nikki filed a restraining order against her estranged husband on October 3, 2024, and it was granted the following day. The restraining order prohibited Artem from contacting his estranged wife and “coming within 100 yards of her.”

“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,” Nikki’s rep said in a statement given to Us Weekly on her behalf. “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.”

Artem hit back with a restraining order of his own against Nikki after she filed hers.

November 20, 2024

Almost three months after Artem’s arrest, TMZ reported that he and Nikki had officially settled their divorce. The outlet reported that the former couple decided to move quickly with the divorce due to mounting legal fees, as well as a desire to avoid their situation becoming messier than it already was.

“Nikki’s number one priority has always been her son and privacy on the matter,” a rep for Nikki told TMZ. “She is thankful for all of the love and support she has received during this difficult time.”

While the specifics of their divorce remain unclear, Life & Style previously reported that both Nikki and Artem were granted joint custody of their son, Matteo. Nikki’s rep also revealed that she and Artem also dropped the restraining orders they had filed against one another, according to E! News.

December 2, 2024

Nikki broke her silence about her divorce from Artem during her first appearance on the “Nikki and Brie Show” podcast since her split.

“You dream of having this family and you have this incredible love, and it just goes the other way,” Nikki reflected on the December 2, 2024, episode. “And you go from having a great love story to having a terrible one and never saw any of it coming, you know, as far as what the ending would be. So it’s just been a struggle.”

The retired WWE star said the situation “shocked” her “beyond words” and gave some insight into how she was coping. “You lose your appetite, you cry a lot,” she explained. “And then I also stepped up and made sure everything was OK for Matteo. And so it’s just been … I don’t even know what other words to use.”

December 2, 2024

“It’s sad. [The relationship] hasn’t been great for a long time. I really played it up like things were a lot better than they were in the public eye. I felt like, ‘If I can just put this person on a pedestal … maybe they can believe that in themselves,’” Nikki confessed on the same podcast about the former Dancing With the Stars pro.

“I didn’t want another failed public relationship,” the Total Bellas alum revealed, referring to her longtime romance with former fiancé John Cena. Of her split from Artem, Nikki admitted, “I’ve been heartbroken.”