Nikki Garcia Makes First Red Carpet Appearance Since Finalizing Divorce from Artem Chigvintsev at WWE Monday Night Raw

Nikki Garcia is stepping out and back into her roots following her split from Artem Chigvintsev.

The Total Bellas star, 41, made her first red carpet appearance since the former couple settled their divorce in November 2024, and her outing came at none other than at the premiere of Netflix’s WWE Monday Night Raw — an ongoing professional wrestling television special produced by WWE.

For the event, held at Los Angeles’ Intuit Dome on Monday, Jan. 6, the retired WWE star wore a red strapless leather corset with matching red and white pants. She paired the look with red pumps and a bold red lip.

Garcia and Chigvintsev were married from 2022 until 2024. They are parents to a 4-year-old son, Matteo.

Months before their divorce settlement, the Dancing with the Stars pro, 42, was arrested in August on suspicion of corporal injury to a spouse.

Chigvintsev did not face criminal charges related to the incident, and both he and Garcia alleged that the other individual was the aggressor in the dispute that led to his arrest.

Subsequently, the former couple were granted protective orders against one another — though they were later dropped following their divorce.

During a recent episode of The Nikki & Brie Show, a podcast she co-hosts with her twin sister Brie Garcia (also known as Brie Bella), Garcia reflected on the lessons she learned in 2024. 

“I think what was the best for me was the disconnecting from so much and facing a lot — and to have been doing the work for so many years leading up that helped prep me and give me a great foundation — but I just want you to know that you are so much stronger than you think,” she said in the Dec. 30 episode.

“In our strongest moments, we definitely have been super weak moments, and we just have to figure out how we get through that,” Garcia continued, adding that she’s been spending her time and energy around things that make her feel strong.

She added: “And I’ve dedicated myself to that the past few months, and it truly helps.”

According to Garcia, “situations like … divorce” can take “a piece of you,” but certain songs, such as Harry Connick Jr.’s “Be Not Afraid,” had “really helped” during her time of need.

In a statement to PEOPLE, Garcia previously asked for continued ”privacy for her and her family” after the divorce.

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Chigvintsev also said in part in a statement to PEOPLE that he was “incredibly relieved and grateful that the domestic violence charges against me have been dropped” and said he’s “thankful that the truth has prevailed.”

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.