Nikki Garcia Opens Up About Reuniting With Ex John Cena After 7 Years!

A Surprise Encounter After Years Apart

Nikki Garcia, formerly known as Nikki Bella, has been making headlines after returning to WWE for the 2025 Royal Rumble. But it wasn’t just her in-ring return that caught attention—it was her brief reunion with her ex-fiancé, John Cena. The two split back in 2018 after a six-year relationship, and their recent meeting at the WWE event was an emotional yet respectful moment for both of them.

On the Let’s Be Honest podcast, Nikki opened up about the encounter. “It was very quick,” she recalled, noting that it had been about seven or eight years since they last saw each other. “I was in a circle talking to people. He came to shake everyone’s hand. He shook my hand.”

Although Nikki didn’t share much beyond the handshake, she emphasized how important it was for her to be respectful of John’s current life. “He’s now married to Shay Shariatzadeh, and I wanted to respect that space,” she explained. Despite the brief nature of the meeting, it seemed like a pleasant, if somewhat emotional, reunion.

The Ice Breaker Moment: A Friendly Reunion

Nikki also shared that this encounter was much more pleasant than their last at the Royal Rumble in 2018. During that time, their breakup was still fresh, and Nikki was emotionally struggling to keep things together for the public. “It was hard,” Nikki recalled of their last interaction. “I was trying to put on a brave face, but I was dealing with all this John stuff in my mind. It was double the emotions for me that day.”

The difference in the tone of their reunion now was something Nikki appreciated. “It felt good to be back in the same space without the old baggage,” she said. “We were both at WWE at the same time, breaking the ice.” This moment signified that both of them had moved on and were on good terms, making it a lot easier to share that friendly exchange.

Nikki Garcia Focused on the Future

While the past is behind them, Nikki is now looking forward to the next chapter of her life. Recently divorced from her ex-husband, Artem Chigvintsev, Nikki made it clear that she’s not interested in rushing into another relationship. In fact, she shared that she’s more focused on herself and what she needs in a partner moving forward.

“I want to be owned,” Nikki said on her podcast. “I want my body rocked.” She added that she’s not interested in dating or pursuing relationships with younger men—she wants someone who can keep up with her own energy and aspirations.

Nikki’s candidness about wanting a strong partner shows her focus on self-care and healing. Now, as a mother to four-year-old Matteo, she’s not in any rush to jump into a new romance. Instead, she’s focusing on her personal growth and raising her son.

Celebrity Exes Who Stay Friends

Nikki and John Cena’s amicable interaction is just one example of how some celebrity exes manage to remain friendly. While many fans were curious about their brief exchange, it’s refreshing to see the two maintaining a respectful, cordial relationship.

Their reunion also brings to light the importance of emotional maturity when navigating breakups—especially in the public eye. Nikki’s ability to move on with grace, while respecting John’s current life, serves as a reminder that reconciliation doesn’t always mean getting back together—it can simply mean finding closure and peace.

Other Friendly Celebrity Exes

Nikki and John Cena aren’t the only exes who manage to stay friends after their splits. Some other well-known celebrity pairs also maintain great relationships even after parting ways:

• Jennifer Aniston & Brad Pitt – Despite their 2005 divorce, Jennifer and Brad are still friendly, frequently seen chatting at events and even acting together.
• Chris Pratt & Anna Faris – Though Anna and Chris have remarried, they share a supportive relationship, with Anna even offering to officiate Chris’s wedding to Katherine Schwarzenegger.
• Tarek El Moussa & Christina Hall – After a rocky split, these HGTV stars remain committed to co-parenting their kids and working together on home renovation projects.
• Lisa Bonet & Lenny Kravitz – The exes remain close, even after Lisa’s marriage to Jason Momoa, with Lenny calling Lisa “best friends.”
• Ben Affleck & Jennifer Garner – Their relationship post-divorce continues to be strong, focusing on co-parenting their children and being supportive of each other.

Conclusion

Nikki Garcia’s recent interaction with John Cena at the Royal Rumble shows that time and maturity can heal old wounds. Their brief but cordial reunion highlights the possibility of moving on gracefully and being respectful of each other’s new lives. As Nikki focuses on her future, she reminds us all that it’s okay to embrace new beginnings—whether in the ring or in life.