News | Entertainment
16 Jan 2026 10:24
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Artem Chigvintsev claims Nikki Garcia was the aggressor in their August 29th fight

    Nikki, 40, was recently granted a restraining order against her husband after she submitted a sworn declaration detailing the alleged abuse she suffered during their fight last month


    In her petition, which was obtained by TMZ, Nikki alleged Artem "tackled me multiple times and pinned me to the ground while our child was present."

    However, Artem has responded in his own court filing, blaming Nikki for the fight.

    E! News has obtained pictures he shared with the court detailing alleged injuries to his neck, elbow, and hand.

    He claimed that he brought their son Matteo upstairs to protect him after Artem and Nikki had an argument which escalated.

    He alleged she then shoved her way inside the room where he and Matteo were and began attacking him.

    He said he made the original 911 call and claimed Nikki said: " Do you understand how this is gonna go now Artem? You just ruined my career and you know it."

    Meanwhile, Nikki has claimed that since Artem, 42, was dropped from 'Dancing with the Stars', he had grown "increasingly angry", often "snapping" and "yelling" at her, and they had had discussions about him needing to control his anger.

    On the morning of his arrest, Nikki claimed he screamed at her for making their four-year-old son Matteo a "picky eater" and rowed with her over how the little boy's English muffin should be toasted.

    Becoming overwhelmed, Nikki threw Matteo's shoes towards Artem and they hit his leg, before he grabbed Matteo and ran upstairs with him while the youngster screamed out for his mom.

    The 'Total Bellas' star claimed that as she tried to get in the room, Artem opened the door and tackled her to the ground, grabbing her arms and holding her down for around 30 seconds before he went back into Matteo's room and closed the door.

    When she tried again to push it open, the dancer allegedly came back out and pushed her across the hall to their bedroom, forcing her to the floor in their bathroom. Nikki claimed she felt like she was suffocating as Artem had his hands on her chest and was pressing down, so she grabbed at his neck in an attempt to get him off.

    The judge has prohibited Artem from contacting or going within 100 yards of Nikki and Matteo, except for visitation or exchange of the little boy as per court-ordered visits.

    A judge denied a request from the former wrestler to leave the US with Matteo as she wanted to go to London to film a project but it will be reviewed at a full hearing on 21 October.

    Although Artem hasn't been living in the family home since his arrest, the judge would not grant a "move-out order" until after the next hearing.

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     16 Jan: Matt Damon's wife thought Ben Affleck was "the cute one" in Good Will Hunting long before the couple met
     16 Jan: Kit Harington was "genuinely angered" by a fan petition calling for the final season of Game of Thrones to be remade
     16 Jan: Tommy Lee Jones is reportedly keeping a "low profile" while he grieves the death of his daughter Victoria Jones
     16 Jan: Jason Segel "can't wait" to marry his fiancee, Kayla Radomski
     16 Jan: Hamnet taught Paul Mescal that he cannot be his best self without his loved ones
     16 Jan: Kim Kardashian's longtime best friend Allison Statter accidentally set her hair on fire
     16 Jan: Vanessa Williams hopes to fall in love again
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Questions continue to swirl over Scott Robertson's departure as All Blacks coach More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    ???1;The construction sector's feeling optimistic, despite weak demand More...



     Today's News

    National:
    Do Woolworths shoppers want Google AI adding items to buy? We’ll soon find out 10:17

    International:
    Negin Ghadimi wanted to share her voice in protest with Iranians, she died in her father's arms 10:07

    National:
    One uprising, two stories: how each side is trying to frame the uprising in Iran 10:07

    Politics:
    State schools can now apply for a one-off grant to help cover asbestos removal costs 10:07

    Entertainment:
    Matt Damon's wife thought Ben Affleck was "the cute one" in Good Will Hunting long before the couple met 9:53

    Law and Order:
    Venezuelan families wait in hope for release of political prisoners 9:27

    Law and Order:
    A 37-year-old woman's been charged with murder, in relation to the death of a man in Tauranga a month ago 9:27

    Entertainment:
    Kit Harington was "genuinely angered" by a fan petition calling for the final season of Game of Thrones to be remade 9:23

    Entertainment:
    Tommy Lee Jones is reportedly keeping a "low profile" while he grieves the death of his daughter Victoria Jones 8:53

    Motoring:
    Two people are dead after a serious crash on Te Rapa Road in Hamilton overnight 8:47


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd