Inside Nikki Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev's marriage after his arrest (2024)

Artem Chigvintsev was arrested and booked in Napa County Jail on Thursday on a felony domestic charge - only three days after celebrating his second wedding anniversary with Nikki Garcia.

The Dancing With The Stars pro, 42, and former WWE wrestler, 40, tied the knot in August 2022 - and welcomed their son Matteo, three, a few years earlier in 2020.

Details surrounding the shock arrest are not yet clear and his bail has been set at $25,000.

Just one day earlier, Garcia - formerly known as Nikki Bella - shared a selfie on her Instagram stories which indicated that she was also in Napa.

From seeking counseling to hitting a 'rocky' patch, DailyMail.com takes a look at Nikki and Artem's relationship and two-year marriage following the Russian dancer's arrest.

2017 - Where it started

Nikki and Artem first crossed paths when they were paired together on Dancing With The Stars during the show's 25th season.

After competing for a total of six weeks on the series, Nikki and her professional dance partner were eliminated.

At the time, the TV personality was in a relationship with John Cena - but the two split in July 2018.

Later that the same year, both Garcia andChigvintsev reconnected by enjoying a lowkey lunch together.

She had reflected on the outing during an episode of her show, Total Bellas, and explained, 'The last time I saw Artem I was in a relationship for so long, so I'm just really excited to see him today.'

January 2019 - Sparking dating rumors

Speculation that Nikki and Artem were dating sparked up in early 2019, and in January of that year, a source told People that the two have a 'strong attraction.'

'They've been spending time together for a long time, but it's nothing serious right now. They're both extremely busy with their own careers, so they spend time together when they can,' the insider added.

Garcia later explained that she was simply 'having a lot of fun' when it comes to her dating life during an interview with Access Live, per People, amid romance rumors.

While talking to the publication, the star briefly mentioned the Russian-born dancer.

'Not just Artem [Chigvintsev], I mean we had amazing chemistry. I'm just kind of having fun. I don't want to say playing the field, but just kind of having different experiences.'

March 2019 - Going public on Instagram

Only a few months after Garcia said she was only 'having fun' with dating, she went Instagram official with her relationship with Artem.

At the time, the beauty uploaded a snap of the pair as she laid a gentle kiss on his cheek while they stood close to each other outside.

But the next month in April, she informed People that despite the image, Nikki said that she was 'not fully taken.'

'I posted a photo of us because we're dating and we're having fun,' she explained. 'Then everyone went (and said) we were official.'

The former WWE wrestler added, 'It's been great. I adore him.'

Later in July of that year, the pair stepped onto the red carpet together while attending theNickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports Awards.

July 2019 - Confirming relationship

Nikki confirmed that she was Artem's girlfriend during an episode of The Bellas Podcast.

'We're boyfriend and girlfriend,' she said, with the dancer adding that, 'We're in a relationship.'

The couple also danced to the track, Let You Love Me, by Rita Ora to pay tribute to how they first met on Dancing With The Stars.

Garcia expressed, 'I'm the one that chose the song and [it's] kind of my journey with Artem and dating.'

'This song really hit me hard. I just felt like, "Okay I'm falling for this guy really fast." But, not that I wanted to avoid it, but I just kept trying to push Artem away. I just wasn't ready for anything.'

Of the dance, Artem added, 'It's very personal. It's very special because of the song and the storyline. It sums up to us and sums up our story.'

'It's very dear to both of our hearts. It's so emotional, it’s crazy. It makes you feel a certain way.'

November 2019 - Getting engaged

2019 was a big year for the couple - who also got engaged in November when Artem popped the big question when they were in France.

However, the pair didn't reveal the engagement news until the New Year's holiday and took to Instagram to uploaded photos that had captured special moments from the romantic proposal.

'Excited for 2020 and the next decade with you @theartemc ❤️ I said yes in France in November,' Garcia penned at the time.

Chigvintsev also added, 'You are the best thing that ever happen to me. So excited for what to come I love you more then anything and thank you for saying Yes.'

January 2020 - Baby news

Not long after revealing their engagement, Artem and Nikki announced that they were expecting their first child together.

She told People, '[It was] a total surprise. It took even a good week to come to terms with like, "Oh my gosh, I'm pregnant." I'm not ready for it.'

However, the star explained, 'I can't imagine life without being a mom and experiencing the miracle of life and raising a child. I'm just so family-oriented that I couldn't imagine not having that family life.'

Later that year in July, their son, Matteo, was welcomed to the world and the pair jumped to social media to share the happy news.

'7/31/2020. Our baby boy is here and we couldn't be HAPPIER and more in LOVE! Everyone is safe and healthy,' Nikki wrote.

November 2020 - Couple's counseling

Nikki and Artem began couple's counseling to be better parents to their little boy, per People.

She explained on The Tamron Hall Show, 'I was so supportive and pushing him [Artem] out the door to go do Dancing [With The Stars]and then I realized once he left, I was like, "Oh my gosh, what did I do? Like I need him."And so it was really hard.'

Garcia added, 'We're going to start after the season and it's mainly just to be amazing parents and knowing how to balance parent life out and also our own relationship.'

'Because Artem and I don't ever want to have a struggle. You know, we plan on being married.'

'We hear a lot of stories of where there's sacrifice in their own relationship because it's about the kids. Artem and I, from the beginning, want to know: How do we balance this for Matteo and for our relationship?'

June 2021 - Multiple wedding postponements

The pair postponed their nuptials in June 2021 due to still being in the process of remodeling their home.

'We haven't even lived in it yet and we're doing the outside and that takes so much work,' Nikki told Entertainment Tonight.

'We're still not even done designing. And so he and I both were just like, "Let's get through the house. If it happens, it happens."'

The wedding was further delayed due to Covid-19 and travel restrictions that were in place - preventing Artem's family from being able to attend.

In early 2022, the professional dancer was diagnosed withpneumonia - which pushed back the ceremony once again.

And in March of that year, the wedding was postponed again due to financial reasons.

Garcia said on The Bellas podcast, 'Like, financially, we have so much more going on in our lives to think, for Artem and I, for the past two years, of putting our money into a wedding - it's probably the main reason we've hesitated.'

November 2021 - Hitting a 'rocky' patch

On The Bellas Podcast, Nikki revealed that both she and Artem had hit a 'rocky' stretch in their relationship, but were 'stronger than ever.'

She explained that distance between the couple had been difficult. 'Teo goes everywhere with mama. That's where he's comfortable, that's where he does best.'

'And, you know, it's been hard on [Artem], and it's been hard on me too not to have my man in my bed for over six, seven weeks.'

Garcia admitted, 'It's been really hard on us' and that the relationship had been 'a little rocky for a bit.' However, she emphasized that the pair had moved past that, and said they are 'stronger than ever.'

August 2022 - Saying 'I do'

Nikki and Artem tied the knot during a romantic ceremony in Paris nearly three years after getting engaged.

Garcia walked down the aisle alone and explained to Brides about the decision to do so.

'When I walked down the aisle, I wanted to be the strong, fierce woman, but also have this feminine, graceful side that made Artem melt.'

The TV personality added, 'I walked myself down the aisle, because I'm about to be 39 and I don't need to be given away. I'm a mother. I'm an entrepreneur.'

'I've done a lot of things on my own in life, so while I knew I wanted to walk myself down the aisle, I also wanted to have the presence of all these strong women with me.'

Nikki also wore the wedding dress that she had purchased during her relationship with John Cena.

During their time in France, their baby boy Matteo also tagged along and she shared photos of herself posing in front of the Eiffel Tower with their son.

February 2023 - Argument before the wedding

Nikki revealed that before walking down the aisle, both she and Artem had gotten into a 'pretty bad' fight.

On E!'s Nikki Bella Says I Do, per People, she explained on an episode, 'Artem and I got into a pretty bad argument last night.'

She added that the argument was centered around Artem and their son going to Turkey while she stays in France. 'They're going to be in Turkey for four days, which is giving me massive anxiety.'

'When I would ask about it or say things about it, Artem was taking it as I don't want him to go, I don't want him to see his parents, and I don't want any of that.'

'It definitely caused a lot of tension and tension that is still there,' Garcia expressed.

Artem also added, 'I do feel like she doubts my ability at being with Matteo and being his dad. I can handle the situation.'

August 2023 - First wedding anniversary

The pair celebrated their first wedding anniversary and Nikki took to her main Instagram page to ring in the big milestone.

She shared sweet moments from the wedding as the song, Can't Help Falling In Love, by Haley Reinhart, played in the background.

'Happy Anniversary Artem. I can't believe it's already been a year. I fall more in love with you every day. You are everything I could have dreamed of. I love doing life with you.'

The Russian-born dancer shared a tribute of his own on social media, and typed, 'You make me the happiest man alive. Cheers to many many more.'

Similar to his wife, Artem uploaded images that had been taking during their wedding day in Paris.

August 2024 - Second wedding anniversary

Artem and Nikki celebrated their second wedding anniversary earlier this week - and also jumped to Instagram to pay tribute.

She shared adorable moments of the pair and their son that had been taken over the past couple years in a video montage.

Can't Help Falling In Love, by Haley Reinhart, once again played in the background and she added lyrics from the song into the caption.

'This song is our love story. 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.'

Garcia also added, '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.'

Artem posted a gushing tribute to his wife taken during their special day: 'Happy anniversary my love, can't see my life with out you. You are my everything.'

August 29, 2024 - Domestic battery arrest

Artem was arrested for domestic battery, DailyMail.com can confirm, andwas booked into Napa County Jail on a felony domestic violence charge on Thursday morning.

His bail has been set at $25,000 and is currently still in custody.

Garcia - formerly Nikki Bella - was also in Napa at the time of the arrest, according to her social media.

The details surrounding what caused the arrest remain unknown but it comes just three days after he celebrated his two-year wedding anniversary with his wife.

Nikki revealed on her Instagram Stories on Wednesday that she was in the area after sharing a post promoting her skin care business.

In a post, she wrote: 'Got a facial today! love my spot in downtown Napa,' she said, along with a tag to the business.

DailyMail.com has contacted a representative for Artem for comment.

TMZwas first to report the news.

It was also reported that Chigvintsev was arrested on 'accusations of corporal injury to spouse' according to People.