Nikki Bella obtained a restraining order against Artem Chigvintsev and submitted a sworn declaration to the court detailing the alleged domestic violence incident that led to his arrest.
A judge granted the restraining order Monday, according to TMZ. The court ordered Chigvintsev to remain 100 yards away from Bella, Matteo and their home. The only exception is for visitation or exchange of the child for court-ordered visits. (RELATED: Nikki Bella Files For Divorce After Domestic Violence Incident: REPORT)
He “tackled me multiple times and pinned me to the ground while our child was present,” Bella said in her court filing.
She said her estranged husband Artem Chigvintsev snatched their son Matteo and ran upstairs with him, as the child shouted “Mommy! Mommy!” according to TMZ. When police arrived on-scene, Matteo allegedly told them, “Daddy hurt my hand.”
SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA – JULY 11: Nikki Bella (L) and Artem Chigvintsev during Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports 2019 at Barker Hangar on July 11, 2019 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/KCASports2019/Getty Images for Nickelodeon)
Bella said tensions rose at home after Chigvintsev was cut from “Dancing With The Stars.” She claimed he grew “increasingly angry, snapping at [her], yelling.” On the day of their alleged explosive encounter, she said her estranged husband was yelling at her saying that their 4-year-old’s English muffin should have been toasted and accused her of making their son a “picky eater,” according to TMZ.
The former WWE star said she became overwhelmed by the alleged yelling and threw their son Matteo’s shoes toward Chigvintsev, and they hit his leg, but were “so light they couldn’t have hurt him.”
LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 30: Nikki Bella is seen on July 30, 2019 at Los Angeles. (Photo by Hollywood To You/Star Max/GC Images) Getty Images
Bella said Chigvintsev became enraged, grabbed their son and took him to a room upstairs. She said when she tried to get into the room, Chigvintsev allegedly grabbed her arms and held her on the ground for approximately 30 seconds. She said he then went back into the room with their son and closed the door. Bella said she tried to push open the door, but that he opened it and allegedly pushed her across the hall and into their bedroom, according to TMZ.
That’s when Bella says things took a turn for the worse.
Bella said Chigvintsev put his hands on her chest near her sternum and pressed down, which made her feel as though she was suffocating. She said she grabbed his neck in an effort to get him off her, according to TMZ.
SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 09: Nikki Bella attends the Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards 2022 at Barker Hangar on April 09, 2022 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic) Getty Images
Bella alleged her estranged husband was physically violent on one other prior occasion in 2023.
He “violently grabbed me around my waist” the documents said, according to TMZ. During that instance Bella said Chigvintsev was trying to keep her away from Matteo.
Bella claimed there were numerous instances of verbal abuse in her marriage and doesn’t want her son to grow up in a tumultuous family environment the way she did as a child, according to TMZ.
She said she wants Chigvintsev to obtain the alleged help he needs through therapy and anger management while she and Matteo maintain a safe distance from him.
A full hearing has been scheduled for Oct. 21.
