Nikki Garcia recalls reunion with ex-fiance John Cena seven years after calling off engagement

Daily Mail​

4 days ago

Nikki Garcia recalled reuniting with her ex-fiance John Cena for the first time seven years after calling off their engagement in 2018.
The WWE wrestler, 41 - who recently broke her silence on her brutal divorce payout to Artem Chigvintsev - opened up about the topic on the recent episode of the Honestly Cavallari podcast.
It had been recorded back in March during Cavallari's podcast tour when Nikki and her twin sister Brie were guests.
The former couple had crossed paths at 2025 Royal Rumble in early February 'seven [or] eight years' after they had last seen each other.
'It was very quick,' Garcia expressed, adding that it had been so out of 'respect' since the fellow pro wrestler, 48, is a 'married man' now. Cena tied the knot with Shay Shariatzadeh in 2020.
'I was in a circle talking to people. He came to [shake] everyone's hand. He shook my hand,' Nikki said.
Host Cavallari told Garcia that she was surprised they did not hug which prompted the TV personality to affirm that it had only been a handshake.
'We just said, "Hello, good to see you. I think last time we were engaged. I don't know. It's been a while,"' the star remembered.
'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.'
While the interaction was brief, Nikki expressed that it had been 'nice' and added, '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.'
After Garcia told the story of the reunion, Kristin then teased, 'Everyone wants you guys to be together.'
But the mom-of-one quickly changed the subject by responding with, 'Oh, gosh. Oh, next question!'
Nikki and John first began dating in 2012 but it later emerged that Cena had made her sign an alleged 75-page contract before they moved in together.
Some of the bizarre demands included her 'being a "guest" in his home' and that they both have the 'same morning and evening routine.'
'We just said, "Hello, good to see you. I think last time we were engaged. I don't know. It's been a while,"' the star remembered; seen earlier this month in NYC
Five years into their relationship, John got down on one knee and popped the big question to Garcia - during WrestleMania 33 in 2017.
At the time, he had announced in front of the crowd: 'I have been waiting so long to ask you this. Stephanie Nicole Garcia-Colace, will you marry me?'
She said yes to the proposal, which resulted in the audience in the venue to let out excited cheers.
However the following year, the pair split and ended their engagement. Their wedding had already been scheduled for May 2018 which was canceled.
In a joint statement at the time, per Us Weekly, Nikki and John expressed: 'While this decision was a difficult one, we continue to have a great deal of love and respect for one another. We ask that you respect our privacy during this time in our lives.'
Not long after the split, the two stars reunited but officially ended the relationship in July 2018.
'After I called off the engagement, we tried to work on our relationship to get back to where it was in order to move forward with our wedding,' she told Us Weekly.
'After much time and soul-searching alone, and together, we have decided to officially part ways. I had a beautiful and loving six-year relationship with a wonderful man. I have the utmost respect for John, but I know this is what's best for me.'
In her 2020 memoir, Incomparable, she got candid about their separation and wrote they both she and Cena had 'struggled to align.'
'Rather than turn and face that, I pushed it under the carpet and figured I could pretend like it wasn't there. Because I was terrified of losing my love, I stuffed my desire for marriage and kids as deep as I could.'
In regards to children, she added, 'He had made it clear that they weren't on the menu for him.
'That's tough, though, because if you're inclined that way, then the more you grow to love someone, the more you want it all.'
Garcia went on to welcome her son Matteo, four, with ex Artem Chigvintsev in July 2020.
The pair first crossed paths when he was her partner on Dancing With The Stars - and they later tied the knot in 2022.
However, after just two years of marriage, the two went through a public divorce which took place not long after he had been arrested on suspicion of domestic violence in Napa County. But no charges were filed.
Last month in May, Nikki broke her silence on the brutal split and the payout she was ordered to give Artem from her 'hard-earned money.'
In her 2020 memoir, Incomparable, she got candid about their separation and wrote they both she and Cena had 'struggled to align'; seen in 2023 in Nashville
She had to pay her ex-husband $200k in spousal support and is also giving $3,500 each month in child support.
On The Nikki & Brie Show podcast, Garcia explained, 'Our settlement is what everyone saw. Yes, I had to give him $200,000. Spousal support, alimony.'
Nikki added that what she is paying her ex is 'a steal.'
'Our judge said at the end of it, "This is the first time in all the years I've done this where a woman had to pay a man. You should be so damn proud that you built such an empire that someone wants a piece of it."'
The mom-of-one admitted, 'It was nice to hear that… even though it hurts because I broke my neck for that money. That money, all that is my hard-earned money.'
Nikki then revealed that she is fine with the child support payments due to wanting the best for their son Matteo.
She then gave a positive update on their co-parenting relationship following their publicized split last year.