The Steakhouse Summit: 5 Shocking New Details About Nikki Bella And John Cena's Post-Split Reunion

The enduring saga of Nikki Bella and John Cena, once the undisputed "It Couple" of professional wrestling, continues to captivate fans years after their highly public split. Despite both moving on to new chapters—marriage for Cena and motherhood for Bella—a recent, unexpected meeting has brought their intertwined story back into the spotlight with fresh, new details as of this current date in December 2025.

The core of their original breakup—John Cena’s firm stance against having children—was a heartbreaking point of contention that played out on reality television. However, the latest news shows that time has softened the edges of their separation, revealing a surprising and "pleasant" reunion that suggests a true, adult friendship has blossomed from the ashes of their six-year romance.

The Complete Biography and Professional Profile

To fully appreciate the magnitude of their relationship and subsequent separation, it is essential to understand the powerhouse careers and personal lives of the two entities involved. Their profiles are a masterclass in wrestling dominance and Hollywood crossover success.

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John Cena (John Felix Anthony Cena Jr.)

• Full Name: John Felix Anthony Cena Jr.
• Born: April 23, 1977, in West Newbury, Massachusetts, USA.
• Career Highlights: 17-time World Champion (a record recognized by the WWE), professional wrestler, actor, and rapper.
• Hollywood Success: Known for major roles in films like The Suicide Squad, Peacemaker, and the Fast & Furious franchise.
• First Marriage: Elizabeth Huberdeau (2009–2012).
• Current Marriage: Shay Shariatzadeh (married 2020).

Nikki Bella (Stephanie Nicole Garcia-Colace)

• Full Name: Stephanie Nicole Garcia-Colace (also known as Nikki Garcia).
• Born: November 21, 1983, in San Diego, California, USA.
• Career Highlights: WWE Hall of Famer, two-time WWE Divas Champion, reality television star (Total Divas, Total Bellas), and entrepreneur.
• Twin Sister: Brie Bella (Brianna Garcia-Colace).
• Marriage/Divorce: Married Artem Chigvintsev (2022–2024); filed for divorce in 2024.
• Child: Son, Matteo Chigvintsev (born 2020).

The Real, Undeniable Reason for the Breakup

The public narrative of John Cena and Nikki Bella’s split in 2018, just weeks before their planned wedding, was deeply rooted in their conflicting views on starting a family. This wasn't a matter of falling out of love; it was a fundamental difference in life goals that proved insurmountable for the high-profile couple.

The Children Clause

John Cena was consistently vocal about his reluctance to have children, a stance he maintained for years, citing his demanding career and commitment to his work.

Nikki Bella, on the other hand, had a profound desire to be a mother. She felt that forcing Cena to change his mind would lead to resentment, a burden she didn't want him to carry.

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In a moment of profound selflessness, Nikki ultimately pulled the plug on the engagement. She realized she couldn't ask the man she loved to sacrifice his deeply held convictions, and she couldn't sacrifice her own dream of motherhood.

This decision, though traumatic for both, ultimately allowed Nikki to fulfill her dream. She welcomed her son, Matteo, in 2020, proving that the painful split was necessary for her personal happiness.

Life After the Split: New Partners and Controversial Divorces

The years following the 2018 breakup saw both John Cena and Nikki Bella forge new paths, each finding love and facing new personal challenges, further solidifying their separate lives in the media landscape.

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John Cena and Shay Shariatzadeh: The Quiet Life

Cena found love with Shay Shariatzadeh, an Iranian-born Canadian citizen and a successful engineer.

The two met on the set of his film Playing with Fire and married quietly in 2020.

Shariatzadeh is a private individual, a stark contrast to the highly public relationship Cena shared with Bella on Total Divas and Total Bellas. Their marriage is described as a "happily married life," focused on privacy and stability outside the constant glare of the wrestling spotlight.

Nikki Bella and Artem Chigvintsev: Motherhood and Legal Drama

Nikki began dating her Dancing with the Stars partner, Artem Chigvintsev, a Russian-born professional dancer.

The couple married in 2022 and share a son, Matteo. However, their relationship was short-lived, with Nikki filing for divorce in 2024.

The split garnered significant media attention due to legal drama. Chigvintsev was arrested on suspicion of felony domestic violence in August 2024, leading to a public and controversial divorce settlement.

The Royal Rumble 2025 Reunion: A Pleasant Surprise

The most significant and current update on their dynamic came in early 2025, when the former couple had an unexpected, yet friendly, backstage reunion at the WWE Royal Rumble event.

This meeting confirmed that any lingering animosity has long dissipated, replaced by mutual respect and a genuine friendship.

The Steakhouse Confession

Nikki Bella detailed the encounter, revealing that it was more than just a quick hello. The two went to a steakhouse together and talked for hours.

She described the evening as "pleasant," noting that they were able to reconnect and catch up on their lives away from the cameras that once documented their every move.

This meeting is a powerful testament to the maturity of both stars, demonstrating that a highly publicized, painful engagement can end without bitterness, allowing both individuals to celebrate the separate, successful lives they have built.

Topical Authority: The Legacy of a WWE Power Couple

The relationship between Nikki Bella and John Cena remains a pivotal moment in WWE history, bridging the gap between sports entertainment and mainstream reality television.

Their story was the centerpiece of the E! reality show Total Divas and its spin-off, Total Bellas. This exposure made their personal lives—the house rules, the engagement, and the eventual breakup—public knowledge, drawing millions of non-wrestling fans into their world.

The "Cena-Bella" entity, though dissolved, set a precedent for how wrestling stars could leverage their personal lives for broader media success, influencing subsequent generations of WWE talent and reality TV stars alike. Their ability to remain cordial, even having a steakhouse summit in 2025, only adds a final, mature chapter to their unforgettable wrestling romance.