Nikki Bella Reunites With Ex John Cena at 2025 Royal Rumble
Nikki Garcia (formerly known as Nikki Bella) reunited with her ex-fiancé John Cena when she made a surprise appearance at the 2025 Royal Rumble in Indianapolis. However, the former Total Bellas star waited to open up about the moment for over a month.
“It was very quick,” Nikki, 41, said on Thursday, March 13, when she and her twin sister, Brie Bella, joined Kristen Cavalleri on stage during the New York City stop of her live tour for her “Let’s Be Honest” podcast, per People.
The mom of one revealed that it was the first time she had seen John, 47, “in seven [or] eight years.” Nikki also noted that because John is now a “married man,” she wanted to be “respectful” of the situation.
“I was in a circle talking to people. He came to [shake] everyone’s hand. He shook my hand,” the Total Divas alum continued. “But the thing was, when he walked away, all the girls were like, ‘Oh my gosh.’ I’m like, ‘Shh, shh, He’s married, be respectful.’ And that was it. That was nice. And it was great because breaking the ice and you know, we just both happened to be back at the same time. It’s a good feeling.”
Nikki and John began dating in 2012 when the Suicide Squad star asked her out on a date.
“The first opening line was, ‘Hey, do you want to go to dinner with me?’ and I was kind of like, ‘What? With me?’” she told TribLive Radio. “It just kind of started out like a dinner date, and I have to admit, we were friends for so many years, but then when you make it romantic, I couldn’t even say a word to him.”
John went on to propose in 2017 during Wrestlemania 33. However, their relationship had more than a few rough patches, including a moment caught on camera during Total Bellas when the Blockers actor told Nikki she “wasn’t even on the list” of people he would give power of attorney to if he was ever placed on life support.
Nikki eventually confirmed they had broken off their engagement in April 2018, just weeks before their wedding.
“While this decision was a difficult one, we continue to have a great deal of love and respect for one another,” Nikki shared on Instagram at the time. “We ask that you respect our privacy during this time in our lives.”
While the former couple rekindled their romance for a brief time later that same year, they ultimately parted ways for good in July 2018.
“Because I am a reality star, and I do have a reality show … I feel like I have to kinda say what’s the update on John and I, but right now we’re just friends,” Nikki explained to fans in a vlog she posted on July 1, 2018.
The former WWE star went on to date and eventually marry Dancing With the Stars pro Artem Chigvintsev. Artem, 42, proposed in November 2019, and John sparked up a relationship with Shay Shariatzadeh in the winter of 2019. John and Shay went on to marry in October 2020.
In January 2020, Nikki announced that she and Artem were expecting their first child together and Nikki gave birth to their son, Matteo, in August 2020. Two years later, they officially tied the knot.
Unfortunately, their relationship wasn’t meant to last and Nikki filed for divorce from Artem in September 2024, weeks after he was arrested for domestic violence. Artem denied the allegations and the charges were eventually dropped against the Russia native. Their divorce was finalized on November 20, 2024.