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 temporary however emotional reunion with ex-fiancé John Cena, their first assembly since they referred to as off their engagement in 2018.

The WWE star and “Whole 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 company 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 temporary and formal.

“We simply mentioned, ‘Hiya, 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 ladies have been like, ‘Oh my gosh.’ I’m like, ‘Shh, shh. He’s married, be respectful.’ And that was it.”

Regardless of the quick change, 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 superb feeling.”

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

Nikki and John first started courting in 2012, however their relationship, although filled 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 bought engaged at WrestleMania 33 in 2017, however finally referred to as off their marriage 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 an excessive 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 fees have been filed, and resulted in a courtroom order for Nikki to pay $200,000 in spousal assist, plus $3,500 per thirty days in baby assist.

“Sure, I needed to give him $200,000,” Nikki confirmed. “Spousal assist, alimony. Our decide mentioned on the finish of it, ‘That is the primary time in all of the years I’ve carried out this the place a lady needed to pay a person. You ought to be so rattling proud that you just 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 response to Nikki, the dialog shortly 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.