Nikki Garcia Gets Restraining Order Against Ex Artem Chigvintsev After Alleged Fight

Nikki Garcia has been given legal protection against her ex Artem Chigvintsev. 

The former WWE star—who filed for divorce from the Dancing With the Stars alum on Sept. 11, following his Aug. 29 arrest on suspicion of felony domestic violence—was granted a temporary restraining order against her estranged husband on Sept. 30, according to TMZ.

“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 reps said in a statement TMZ. “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.”

The restraining order prohibits Artem—whose criminal charges were dropped by prosecutors on Sept. 24—from contacting or coming within 100 yards of Nikki, their 4-year-old son Matteo or their home except for court-ordered visitation or exchange of the child, per the outlet.

The judge signed off on the protective order after Nikki submitted paperwork to a Napa County courthouse detailing multiple alleged instances of physical attacks from Artem, alleging that the dance professional "tackled me multiple times and pinned me to the ground while our child was present,” per the petition obtained by TMZ.

The Total Bellas alum also stated that Artem became "increasingly angry,” including “snapping” and “yelling" after learning he would not return to Dancing With the Stars.

E! News has reached out to lawyers for Nikki and Artem for comment but hasn’t heard back.

Going forward, Nikki has said that she is focusing on their son Matteo.

“Nikki’s number one priority has always been the wellbeing of her son,” her rep continued in their statement. “She is thankful for all of the love and support she has received and continues to ask for privacy for her and her family during this difficult time.”

For his part, Artem has also said that his “main concern” is their son.

"He is my world, and being his father is the greatest blessing in my life," he said in a statement to E! News Sept. 25. "I am committed to continuing to provide him with the love, support, and care he needs as we move forward."

And when it comes to his domestic violence case, the dancer said he feels grateful that prosecutors opted not to file charges.

"I am incredibly relieved and grateful that the domestic violence charges against me have been dropped," he added. "This has been an extremely difficult time for me. I am thankful that the truth has prevailed."

Read on for a timeline of Artem’s legal battle following his arrest.

Artem Chigvintsev was arrested shortly before 10 a.m. on Aug. 29, Napa County Sheriff’s Office’s Public Information Officer Henry Wofford confirmed to E! News.

Wofford noted the Dancing With the Stars pro did not was resist and was taken to the Napa County Department of Corrections. Chigvintsev was booked on a charge of felony domestic violence with a bail set at $25,000, per online records.

The professional dancer posted bail and was released from custody at 2:18 p.m. on Aug.29, Wofford confirmed to E! News. A court date has yet to be announced.

While Wofford told NBC News Chigvintsev was arrested in Yountville, Calif, he did not reveal the exact location due to a request for privacy from the alleged victim. 

As a result of this request, he added, the Sheriff is also not releasing the name, gender or age of the alleged victim or the individual’s relationship to Chigvintsev. However, Wofford did have this to say about the arrest.

“When someone is charged with felony domestic violence usually this means there is a visible injury or credible eyewitness,” he told E! News, “our deputies felt comfortable arresting him on felony domestic violence charges.”

“Of course this could change with more evidence that might come through,” Wofford continued, “but at the time of the arrest the deputies felt it was a felony charge instead of a misdemeanor."

He also shared why victims may choose to keep personal information private in these cases.

“Some victims may not feel comfortable sharing all details at time the suspect is arrested,” Wofford noted. “Some victims feel embarrassed, threatened, or fear the incident may impact their family.  We have to give victims adequate time and support, which help them realize we are here to help.”

In an audio recording shared by TMZ Aug. 30, a dispatcher can be heard saying Chigvintsev had initially called 911 to request medical attention after an argument in which shoes were allegedly thrown at him. However, the dispatcher said the 42-year-old later stated that medical help was no longer needed.

Still, Wofford said authorities continued with their check.

“For domestic violence, if someone picks up the phone and says, ‘You don’t have to come after all,’ we’re still going to go for a welfare check," he told Page Six. "We’re not just going to stop what we’re doing."

As of Aug. 30, Chigvintsev has yet to speak publicly on the arrest or 911 call. E! News has reached out to his rep for comment but has yet to hear back.

Chigvintsev’s arrest came less than three weeks prior to Dancing With the Stars’ season 33 premiere. However, the past Mirrorball winner—who’s appeared on 12 seasons of the competition series—was not set to be a part of this season’s cast, Page Six and Variety reported. 

E! News has reached out to ABC for comment but has yet to hear back.

A rep for Nikki Garcia—who met Chigvintsev when they were paired together on season 25 of Dancing With the Stars in 2017—spoke out about his arrest the day after his booking and release.

"This is a private matter,” the rep told E! News Aug. 30, “and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time."

Chigvintsev’s arrest came three days after he and Garcia—who share 4-year-old son Matteo—celebrated their second wedding anniversary.

“Happy anniversary my love,” the ballroom dancer wrote on Instagram Aug. 26. “can’t see my life with out you. You are my everything.”

In her own post, the former WWE star quoted the lyrics from Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and posted throwback footage of the couple in Paris, where they got married in 2022.

“This song is our love story,” she wrote in the caption. “I’ll never forget where I was when I asked Jesus about Artem. Having a conversation with He & God. How my feelings felt too soon. It all felt too fast. And then this song came on. And that’s when I knew that I was falling in love with him and that it was all meant to be. Happy Anniversary @theartemc I love you!”

Shortly after Chigvintsev’s arrest, Cheryl Burke—who retired as a Dancing With the Stars pro in 2022 after 26 seasons on the show—shared her reaction to the news. 

Noting Chigvintsev is someone she grew up with and lived with at one time, Burke said on her podcast Sex, Lies and Spray Tans that she was in “complete shock” over his arrest. 

“My heart goes out to everyone involved,” she shared on the Aug. 30 episode, noting it was recorded the day before. “It’s just really hard for me because he was my family. I don’t know what to say here other than I hope everybody’s OK.” 

In a clip of her podcast posted to TikTok, Burke also shared resources.

Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley shared on Sept. 24, 2024, that her office will not be filing charges against Chigvintsev following a "thorough review of the criminal investigation and careful evaluation of the evidence presented to the DA’s Office."

“If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available,” she wrote in the caption. “Consider calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, or text START to 88788, or go to…https://www.thehotline.org/.” 

In a Sept. 25, 2024 statement to E! News, Chigvintsev said he was "incredibly relieved and grateful" that his domestic violence charge was dropped.

"This has been an extremely difficult time for me," he shared. "I am thankful that the truth has prevailed."

The dancer added that he is "hopeful" in securing an equal co-parenting arrangement with Garcia, who requested for sole legal and physical custody of their son Matteo in her to Sept. 11 divorce filing.

Chigvintsev said, "I look forward to moving past this chapter and focusing on what truly matters—continue being the best father I can be."

Garcia obtained a restraining order against her ex after stating in a petition obtained by TMZ that Chigvintsev "tackled me multiple times and pinned me to the ground while our child was present."

“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 reps said in a statement TMZ. “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.”

For more information on domestic abuse or to get help for yourself or someone you love, visit the website for The National Domestic Violence Hotline (http://www.thehotline.org/) or call 1-800-799-7233.

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