7 Shocking Realities Of Nikki Bella And John Cena’s Lives After Their Split (And Their 2025 Backstage Reunion)

The relationship between Nikki Bella and John Cena remains one of the most talked-about and intensely scrutinized pairings in celebrity and WWE history, largely due to its high-profile nature on the reality show Total Bellas. Even years after their dramatic 2018 split, fans continue to search for updates on the former power couple.

As of late 2025, the narrative has shifted dramatically, moving from their televised engagement and breakup to their completely separate lives as a new chapter begins for both. The biggest and most recent update—and one that has sent shockwaves through the wrestling community—is the confirmation of a brief, unexpected reunion between the two stars backstage at the 2025 WWE Royal Rumble event in Indianapolis, a moment Nikki Bella herself has recently detailed.

Complete Biography & Profile: Nikki Bella and John Cena

To understand the current dynamics, it’s essential to look at the professional and personal foundations of the two global superstars.

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Nikki Bella (Stephanie Nicole Garcia-Colace)

• Full Name: Stephanie Nicole Garcia-Colace
• Born: November 21, 1983 (Age 42 as of late 2025)
• Birth Place: San Diego, California, USA
• Career Highlights: Professional Wrestler (WWE Hall of Famer, 2-time WWE Divas Champion), Reality Television Star (Total Divas, Total Bellas), Actress, Entrepreneur (The Bella Twins Brand).
• Key Relationship Timeline: Engaged to John Cena (2017–2018); Married to Artem Chigvintsev (2022–2024); Divorced (September 2024).
• Children: One son, Matteo Chigvintsev.

John Cena (John Felix Anthony Cena)

• Full Name: John Felix Anthony Cena Jr.
• Born: April 23, 1977 (Age 48 as of late 2025)
• Birth Place: West Newbury, Massachusetts, USA
• Career Highlights: Professional Wrestler (17-time World Champion—the most recognized by WWE), Actor, Rapper, Television Personality.
• Key Relationship Timeline: Married to Elizabeth Huberdeau (2009–2012); Dated/Engaged to Nikki Bella (2012–2018); Married to Shay Shariatzadeh (2020–Present).
• Children: None.

The Unexpected 2025 Royal Rumble Reunion: What Nikki Said

The biggest news regarding the former couple in 2025 is the confirmation of their first face-to-face encounter in nearly seven years. This highly anticipated moment occurred backstage at the 2025 WWE Royal Rumble Premium Live Event in Indianapolis, where both stars made surprise appearances.

It Was "Very Quick"

Nikki Bella, who now goes by Nikki Garcia, detailed the interaction on the Let's Be Honest podcast hosted by Kristin Cavallari. She described the reunion as "very quick" and confirmed that it took place backstage at the major WWE event.

For fans who followed their turbulent relationship and televised breakup on Total Bellas, the thought of them crossing paths after so long was a powerful moment. The fact that both were back in the WWE environment—the place where their relationship was both celebrated and ultimately ended—added a layer of emotional weight to the brief encounter.

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A Shift in Perspective

The brief interaction highlights how much both individuals have moved on. Their split in 2018 was famously due to their differing views on marriage and having children, with Cena initially being against both, a stance that ultimately changed.

The backstage run-in at the 2025 Royal Rumble serves as a definitive closing of that chapter, confirming that while they share a professional history, their personal lives are now completely separate, yet amicable enough for a brief, professional greeting. This mature handling of the situation is a far cry from the emotional drama that played out on reality television years prior.

The New Realities: Love, Divorce, and Hollywood Success

The lives of Nikki Bella and John Cena have taken strikingly different, yet equally successful, paths since their separation. The year 2024 and 2025 have been particularly transformative for both of them, showcasing their individual resilience and career growth.

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1. Nikki Bella’s Post-Divorce Life and New Dating Chapter

Nikki Bella’s personal life underwent a major upheaval in late 2024. After two years of marriage to former Dancing With the Stars partner Artem Chigvintsev, with whom she shares a son, Matteo, Nikki filed for divorce in September 2024.

The divorce from Artem, following her highly publicized split from Cena, has led Nikki to publicly reflect on her future. In May 2025, she confirmed on her podcast, The Nikki & Brie Show, that she has tentatively started dating again. This is a significant step, especially after she previously stated that she would never marry again following the end of her marriage to Chigvintsev. Her focus remains on co-parenting her son and managing her successful entrepreneurial ventures with her twin sister, Brie Bella.

2. John Cena’s Quiet Marriage to Shay Shariatzadeh

In stark contrast to his relationship with Nikki, which was constantly in the spotlight, John Cena’s marriage to engineer Shay Shariatzadeh has been notably private and low-key. The couple met in 2019 and quietly tied the knot in a private ceremony in October 2020.

Cena’s decision to marry and his willingness to embrace a different kind of private life with Shay demonstrated a profound shift from the non-committal stance he held during his time with Nikki. Their marriage continues to be strong as of late 2025, with Shay supporting Cena’s burgeoning Hollywood career.

3. Cena’s Blockbuster Hollywood Domination (2024-2025)

John Cena has firmly established himself as a bankable Hollywood action and comedy star. His filmography for 2024 and 2025 is packed with major projects, showcasing his transition from a WWE icon to a leading man.

• 2024: He starred in the comedy film Jackpot! and the action-comedy Ricky Stanicky.
• 2025: He is set to star in the action-comedy Heads of State and is slated to return for Season 2 of the critically acclaimed DC series Peacemaker.

This relentless focus on his acting career, alongside occasional WWE appearances like the 2025 Royal Rumble, solidifies his status as a dual-threat celebrity.

4. The Long-Term Impact of 'Total Bellas'

A final reality is the lasting shadow of their televised romance. Nikki Bella has voiced regret over how the breakup was portrayed on E!'s Total Bellas. She felt the narrative was too "one-sided," focusing heavily on her desire for marriage and children without fully capturing the complexities of their six-year relationship.

The show, which was a massive success for the E! network and WWE, created an enduring public fascination that continues to drive searches for "Nikki Bella and John Cena" updates, long after they have each found happiness in their separate lives.