Nikki Garcia Granted Restraining Order Against Artem Chigvintsev Amid Divorce, Details Incident Which Led to His Arrest
Nikki Garcia has been awarded a restraining order against estranged husband Artem Chigvintsev.
The 40-year-old former WWE star filed for a restraining order earlier this week, along with a sworn declaration of alleged abuse she has faced from the 42-year-old pro dancer, and her petition has been granted, according to TMZ.
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According to the publication, Nikki says he “tackled me multiple times and pinned me to the ground while our child was present.”
In her petition, she claims after he was cut from Dancing With the Stars, he grew “increasingly angry, snapping at me, and yelling,” and they have had discussions about him needing to control his anger.
On the morning of the incident, which led to his arrest, he reportedly went off on her over their son, Matteo, wanting his English muffin toasted a certain way, with Artem screaming over how she made Matteo a “picky eater.”
Nikki says she was overwhelmed by the yelling and threw their sons shoes in Artem‘s direction, which ended up hitting his leg. He then grabbed Matteo, running upstairs.
As she tried getting into the room, Artem opened the door and tackled her to the ground outside of their son’s room, grabbing her rooms and holding her on the ground for seemingly 30 seconds.
“She says Artem then went back into Matteo‘s room and closed the door — and she says she again tried to push open the door, and he then opened it and pushed her across the hall into the couple’s bedroom, forcing her to the floor in their bathroom,” TMZ reports. “She says he had his hands on her chest near her sternum, pressing down — she says she felt like she was suffocating — and she says she grabbed at his neck in an attempt to get him off.”
She also detailed another incident from last year.
Per the restraining order, Artem is not allowed to contact or be within 100 yards of Nikki, their son Matteo, or their house. There is an exception for “visitation or exchange of the child per court-ordered visits.”
A full hearing is set to be held on October 21st.
This news comes after Artem was arrested for a felony domestic violence charge in August, and after she filed for divorce a couple weeks later. It was then revealed last week that charges are not being filed against Artem at this time.
The following day, he released a statement and said his focus was on his son.