Nikki Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev’s Relationship Timeline

Just partners! When they were on DWTS together, Garcia and Chigvintsev were sent home on the seventh night of competition.

Multiple sources confirmed to Us that the duo were giving love a shot — and had already been together for a bit of time. The news came nine months after Garcia and Cena called off their engagement after six years together, though they briefly reconciled, and split for good in July 2018.

Garcia and Chigvintsev’s newfound romance was first featured on a January 2019 episode of Total Bellas, where the two enjoyed a lunch date together. “The last time I saw Artem, I was in a relationship for so long, so I’m just really excited to see him today,” the WWE alum said in a clip from the show. “You look good,” she told him. “A lot’s happened since I’ve seen you last, which has been a long time.”

Garcia told Us that despite having “so much chemistry” with the Russia native, the two were “just friends” amid ongoing relationship speculation.

The California native finally confirmed their romance during the Total Bellas season finale, and later posted a sweet picture of the pair locking lips on Instagram.

Garcia revealed that the two weren’t monogamous just yet. “Yeah, we’re dating. … There’s been a lot of speculation about us … but I’m still dating [other people],” she said on an episode of “The Bellas Podcast” with her sister, Brie Bella. “We’re having fun. He’s showing me L.A.”

Chigvintsev went all out for a date night with his love — even whipping up some delicious recipes in the kitchen, which the duo documented on Instagram. While the DWTS pro showed off his skills, his leading lady sat nearby and sipped wine.

The duo enjoyed a family-friendly date in Disneyland with Nikki's sister Brie Garcia, her brother-in-law, Daniel Bryan, and her 2-year-old niece, Birdie Joe. The WWE star flooded Instagram with pics of the pair enjoying rides such as It's a Small World and Dumbo the Flying Elephant. 

Nikki and Chigvintsev made their red carpet debut as a couple at the 2019 Kids’ Choice Sports Awards, with the dancer giving the Total Bellas star a kiss on the forehead.

Chigvintsev and Nikki announced in July 2019 that they are officially “boyfriend and girlfriend” after going more than six months without labels. “We’re in a relationship!” he gushed on “The Bellas Podcast.”

In an appearance on “The Lady Gang” podcast in October 2019, Nikki spoke candidly about sex with Chigvintsev. “The vagina smiles every time,” she said. 

Nikki gushed about her man to Us at the Girl Up #GirlHero Awards in October 2019. “He lets me be me,” she said. “The attention of what he gives me with my soul, with my personal life, my business life. Like, I have never met anyone who’s so supportive and I have no fear that he’s ever going to leave me for my imperfections, which is so amazing.”