Nikki Garcia, previously often known as Nikki Bella, is getting candid about her temporary however emotional reunion with ex-fiancé John Cena, their first assembly since they known as off their engagement in 2018.

The WWE star and “Whole Bellas” alum mirrored on the second throughout a latest look on the “Truthfully Cavallari” podcast, hosted by Kristin Cavallari.

The episode, recorded in March throughout Cavallari’s podcast tour, featured Nikki Garcia and her twin sister Brie as friends and revealed that the long-awaited run-in occurred backstage on the 2025 Royal Rumble in February.

“It was very fast,” Nikki recalled. “Out of respect,” she added, referencing the truth that Cena is now a married man. The “Peacemaker” actor wed Shay Shariatzadeh in 2020.

“I used to be in a circle speaking to individuals. He got here to [shake] everybody’s hand. He shook my hand,” she defined. Kristin expressed shock that the previous flames didn’t share a hug, however Nikki confirmed the interplay was temporary and formal.

“We simply stated, ‘Hi there, good to see you. I feel final time we had been engaged? I don’t know, it’s been some time,’” Nikki shared with amusing. “However the factor was, when he walked away, all the ladies had been like, ‘Oh my gosh.’ I’m like, ‘Shh, shh. He’s married, be respectful.’ And that was it.”

Regardless of the brief trade, Nikki described the encounter as a optimistic step ahead. “It was nice as a result of [it] broke the ice. We simply each occurred to be again on the identical time. It’s a very good feeling.”

Cavallari playfully teased, “Everybody desires you guys to be collectively,” prompting Nikki to rapidly shut it down, “Oh, gosh. Oh, subsequent query!”

Nikki and John first started relationship in 2012, however their relationship, although stuffed with public moments, had its challenges.

Earlier than shifting in collectively, John reportedly made Nikki signal a 75-page contract with strict way of life phrases, together with being labeled a “visitor” in his house. The couple bought engaged at WrestleMania 33 in 2017, however finally known as off their marriage ceremony, initially set for Might 2018.

In an announcement on the time, the couple stated, “Whereas this determination was a troublesome one, we proceed to have an excessive amount of love and respect for each other.”

They briefly tried to reconcile that summer time, however by July 2018, Nikki confirmed the connection was formally over. “After a lot time and soul-searching… I do know that is what’s greatest for me,” she informed Us Weekly.

Since then, Nikki has moved on and constructed a household of her personal.

She welcomed her son, Matteo, in 2020 with skilled dancer Artem Chigvintsev, whom she met throughout “Dancing with the Stars.” The 2 married in 2022, however the marriage ended simply two years later amid a public and troublesome divorce.

The break up adopted Artem’s 2024 arrest on suspicion of home violence, although no costs had been filed, and resulted in a court docket order for Nikki to pay $200,000 in spousal help, plus $3,500 per thirty days in little one help.

“Sure, I needed to give him $200,000,” Nikki confirmed. “Spousal help, alimony. Our decide stated on the finish of it, ‘That is the primary time in all of the years I’ve accomplished this the place a lady needed to pay a person. Try to be so rattling proud that you just constructed such an empire that somebody desires a chunk of it.’”

The altercation reportedly occurred at their house in Napa and commenced over a seemingly minor disagreement: making their son Matteo’s English muffin “a bit crispier.”

In line with Nikki, the dialog rapidly escalated, with Chigvintsev yelling, blaming her for Matteo being a “choosy eater,” and refusing to let her converse. Feeling overwhelmed, Garcia stated she tried to de-escalate by stepping exterior to pack her son’s belongings into the automotive.