Nikki Bella ditches wedding ring while hosting hot dog eating contest after Artem Chigvintsev’s arrest

Nikki Bella went back to work days after her husband, Artem Chigvintsev, was arrested on a felony domestic violence charge.

The retired WWE star, 40, co-hosted a live hot dog eating contest in Las Vegas on Monday.

“Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef,” which streamed on Netflix, marked Bella’s first public appearance since Chigvintsev’s arrest.

14

Bella, who now goes by Nikki Garcia, ditched her wedding ring for the event. She paired a sleeveless red top with matching pants, while also sporting platform shoes and red lipstick.

The star seemed to be in high spirits as she hosted the contest with Rob Riggle.

14

14

“Thank you everyone, I’m so happy to be here!” she said to the audience after being introduced by Riggle, 54.

As the crowd cheered for Bella, she told them, “I love you too.”

14

14

14

Bella also didn’t have her wedding ring on when she was pictured boarding a private plane from California to Las Vegas on Saturday morning. She was accompanied by her and Chigvintsev’s 4-year-old son, Matteo.

14

14

On Thursday, Chigvintsev, 42, was booked on a charge of felony domestic violence in Napa, California, where he lives with his wife and son.

The Post obtained online records showing that Chigvintsev was booked under California Penal Code Section 273.5(a) PC, which “makes it illegal to injure a spouse, cohabitant or fellow parent in an act of domestic violence.”

14

Paramedics and the fire department called 911 and claimed Bella threw a shoe at him during an argument. He made another call minutes later to tell emergency services not to come.

The “Dancing With the Stars” pro was released on $25,000 bail. His mugshot has been made public.

14

The alleged victim requested their identity be kept completely confidential.

A rep for Bella told The Post Friday, “This is a private matter, and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time.”

In the aftermath of Chigvintsev’s arrest, Season 33 of “DWTS,” which premieres Sept. 17 on ABC.

14

14

Chigvintsev met his wife when she was a contestant on the reality competition series in 2017.

They celebrated their second wedding anniversary three days before Chigvintsev’s arrest.

14

Bella marked the milestone by sharing a highlight reel from her 2022 Paris wedding to Chigvintsev. The video was set to Haley Reinhart’s rendition of the Elvis classic, “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” which Bella called the couple’s “love story.”

Chigvintsev also took to Instagram and referred to Bella as his “everything.”

14

After Chigvintsev’s arrest, has been “volatile” for a long time, according to the couple’s friends and former “DWTS” cast and crew members.

The anonymous sources said the pair had a history of verbal altercations but were unaware of any physical fights between the two before the alleged incident.

They also said that Chigvintsev’s arrest was “shocking but not shocking.” 

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788