Artem Chigvintsev is seeking a protective order against WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Garcia after his arrest earlier this year over an incident.
Chigvintsev was arrested over alleged domestic violence though the Napa County District Attorney’s Office later decided not to press charges.
In a statement to The New York Post, Chigvintsev denies allegations that he tackled Garcia during an altercation in their home. The statement reads as follows,
“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 was “shocked” to learn of Garcia’s allegation and provided photos of injuries he alleges were caused by the former WWE Superstar.
In his statement, Chigvintsev says he tried to protect the couple’s four-year-old son Matteo from Garcia during the incident preceding his arrest. He stated,
“I took Matteo into my arms, and tried to deescalate the situation and take him upstairs to his room… I wanted to protect Matteo from her lack of self-control.”
Garcia has also filed a protective order against Chigvintsev, and continues to allege that he was the aggressor in their altercation in August.
The former WWE Superstar has claimed Chigvintsev had grown increasingly angry after learning he would not be brought back for Dancing With The Stars.
Garcia has said that Chigvintsev often yelled at her, including over her allegedly making Matteo a “picky eater” over a toasted English muffin.
Garcia filed for divorce on September 11. The pair married in August 2022 and had celebrated their anniversary just days before the arrest.
A hearing scheduled for October 21 will consider the requests of both sides.
