Nikki Garcia Makes First Red Carpet Appearance Since Breakup From Artem Chigvintsev
While briefly coming out of retirement for an appearance on Netflix’s WWE Raw debut Jan. 6, the former pro wrestler opted to appear under her ring name, Nikki Bella, after retiring the moniker in 2023.
“When I got the invite, I obviously was super excited,” Nikki explained to twin sister Brie Garcia on the Jan. 8 episode of The Nikki & Brie Show podcast. “I was just like, ‘Look, I want to be Nikki Bella. I don’t want to come in and look like I’m trying super hard. I want to just be effortlessly me.’”
The 41-year-old, who shares son Matteo, 4, with estranged husband Artem Chigvintsev, also revealed how she decided on her wardrobe—and color scheme—for the occasion, declaring she wanted something “sporty, but sexy, but Nikki Bella, so it’s gotta be red.’”
Nikki and Brie announced their retirement from wrestling—as well as their decision to use their legal names—in 2023, revealing the origin of their ring names in the process.
