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A new update provides more information on the situation involving Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Garcia.
On October 3, Nikki Garcia (formerly known as Nikki Bella) was granted a protective order against Artem Chigvintsev. This came after Chingvintsev was arrested for felony domestic violence on August 29. Garcia later filed for divorce from Chigvintsev. He did not face criminal charges following the arrest, as announced by the Napa County District Attorney’s Office.
In an update, Sean Mandell of the New York Post reported an update, writing that Artem Chigvintsev was granted a restraining order the same day that Garcia was granted her protective order.
Statement From Artem Chigvintsev’s Lawyer
Mandell shares a statement that was given to the post on behalf of Chigvintsev by his lawyer, Ilona Antonyan. Antonyan denied the allegations that Garcia made against Chigvintsev and stated that Artem was not the primary aggressor.
In a statement given to The Post on Chigvintsev’s behalf by his lawyer, Ilona Antonyan, Chigvintsev denies Bella’s allegations that he tackled her. Antonyan insists that Chigvintsev “was not the primary aggressor.”
“Mr. Chigvintsev contacted law enforcement on 8/29/24 seeking protection from his wife’s persistent aggression,” Antonyan said. 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.’”
Antonyan continued, “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.”
Antonyan also claimed that Chigvintsev’s career suffered due to Garcia’s statement, as opportunities were canceled due to the “false allegations.” Antonyan reiterated that Chigvintsev was not the primary aggressor.
More Details
Mandell also obtained Chigvintsev’s complaint. In it, Chigvintsev agreed with the claim that the altercation originated with a fight over their son, Matteo, though each has their own version of the events.
Chigvintsev states that Bella “seemed stressed due to her job”, and she said that he did not help, as Chigvintsev continued to claim that Garcia berated him. In the complaint, Chigvintsev claims that the fight escalated, and Garcia screamed “get the f – – k out of my house, I am sick of all of it, I had enough” at him.
Chigvintsev says that Garcia threw Matteo’s shoes at him, and they hit him. He claims that Matteo was next to him, and he was worried about his safety. Per Chigvintsev, Garcia continued to yell about wanting a divorce. Chigvintsev claims that he tried to get Garcia to calm down while also removing Matteo from the situation. However, the conflict escalated, as Chigvintsev claims that Garcia tried to force her way into Matteo’s room once the two were inside.
In the complaint, Chigvintsev claims that he tried to get out of the room to protect Matteo, and Garcia continued to “physically attack” him. Chigvintsev again says that he repeatedly pleaded with Garcia to stop and calm down.
Chigvintsev also admits that there was a “mutual struggle”, and they both wound up on the ground. He says that he called 911, and he was “shocked” when he was arrested. Chigvintsev then claims that Garcia lied to the police, and he says that he was not the primary aggressor.
Artem Chigvintsev Claims Nikki Garcia Lied
Chigvintsev went on to say that Garcia lied to the police about him tackling her, and he says that was false. He also disputed Garcia’s claim that she was holding Matteo, and he grabbed him.
Furthermore, Chigvintsev provided pictures in his restraining order request, and they allegedly show wounds that he suffered in his fight with Garcia.
Mandell also notes that both Chigvintsev and Garcia are seeking permanent restraining orders, and they are due back in court on October 21.
As previously reported by TMZ, Garcia claimed that Chigvintsev tackled her multiple times, and he became “increasingly angry”. Garcia also admitted that she threw Matteo’s shoes at Chigvintsev and ran upstairs with the child. She claimed that Chigvintsev tackled her and started to press down on her chest, and she grabbed at his neck to get him off.
WrestleZone will provide more information as it becomes available.
