AceShowbiz - Nikki Garcia, the retired professional wrestler and former WWE star, has finally addressed her split from ex-husband Artem Chigvintsev for the first time since the dancer's arrest in August for domestic violence charges, which were later dropped.

As she returned to her podcast, "The Nikki & Brie Show," after months of silence, Nikki took a deep dive into the emotional rollercoaster that has defined her last few months.

"It's been really tough. I've been heartbroken. Sad," Nikki confessed. "You dream of having this family, and you have this incredible love, and it just goes the other way. And you go from having a great love story to having a terrible one."

The former reality TV star and Chigvintsev, who met on "Dancing with the Stars," married in 2022 and share a 4-year-old son, Matteo. Despite attempts to make the relationship work, Nikki admitted that she had been "play[ing] up" their romance for the public eye, hoping it might improve their situation. However, she also recognized that things hadn't "been great for a long time."

In a heartfelt discussion, Nikki emphasized her priority throughout the ordeal: their son, Matteo. "I disconnected from social media, from the world, and I just knew that I needed to disconnect because first things first, I'm a mom, and my son's protection and privacy is the most important," she said.

The couple's divorce, finalized in November, represented only part of the drama. Both Nikki and Artem filed domestic violence restraining orders against each other, which were eventually dropped as they sought to move forward and co-parent effectively. "All I need to do is focus on my healing. I need to focus on Matteo's healing," Nikki emphasized.

Addressing her public image and the criticisms she faced, Nikki remained steadfast and dignified. "The one thing that I have realized disconnecting from the world, it's when you know the truth, nothing else matters," she shared.

"So when some of you would come to me and tell me what people were saying or what was out there, it would affect me in some way, but because I know the truth, and I actually lived it, it didn't have a big effect on me."

Artem also focused on his commitment to Matteo while expressing his relief that the charges against him were dropped. "He is my world, and being his father is the greatest blessing in my life. All along, my main concern has been for him," he stated.

While the path to healing remains ongoing for Nikki and Matteo, Nikki's bravery in sharing her story marks a significant moment in her journey, shedding light on the complexities of navigating a high-profile and emotionally fraught divorce.