Childhood and Education Journey of Nikki Bella in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Nikki Bella. A timeline of key moments.

Stephanie Nicole Garcia-Colace, best known as Nikki Bella (now Nikki Garcia), is an American professional wrestler and television personality currently signed with WWE, performing on the Raw brand. She gained prominence as a WWE Diva, known for her athleticism and in-ring persona. Beyond wrestling, Bella has appeared in reality television, showcasing her personal life and entrepreneurial endeavors. Her career highlights include multiple WWE Divas Championships, establishing her as a prominent figure in women's wrestling during her active years.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

November 21, 1983: Nikki Bella's Birth

On November 21, 1983, Stephanie Nicole Garcia-Colace, who is famously known as Nikki Bella, was born. She is an American professional wrestler and television personality.

Others born on this day/year

2002: Graduation from Chaparral High School

In 2002, Nikki Garcia-Colace graduated from Chaparral High School, marking the completion of her secondary education.

2006: Participation in WWE Diva Search and Other Appearances

In 2006, The Garcia twins participated in the WWE Diva Search but did not make the cut. Prior to that, they were hired to be the World Cup Twins for Budweiser and were photographed holding the World Cup trophy.

October 2007: Scripted Rivalry with Neidhart and Crawford

Throughout October 2007, Nicole was involved in a scripted rivalry with Nattie Neidhart and Victoria Crawford, competing in a series of matches against them as part of their on-screen personas.

December 2007: Managing Derrick Linkin

Starting in December 2007, Nikki began managing Derrick Linkin as part of a storyline in FCW.

January 2008: End of Derrick Linkin Storyline

In January 2008, the storyline involving Nikki managing Derrick Linkin was cut short when Linkin was released from FCW.

April 2008: Feud with Milena Roucka

In April 2008, after Neidhart was called up to the WWE roster, Milena Roucka took her place in the ongoing feud with The Bella Twins in FCW.

February 2009: On-Screen Relationship with The Colóns, Morrison, and The Miz

Starting in February 2009, The Bella Twins developed an on-screen relationship with The Colóns (Carlito and Primo), appearing in backstage segments and accompanying them to the ring. The storyline expanded to include John Morrison and The Miz, who flirted with the Bellas.

April 15, 2009: Drafted to the Raw Brand

On April 15, 2009, The Bella Twins were both drafted to the Raw brand as part of the 2009 supplemental draft. Brie made her Raw in-ring debut on April 27, and Nikki later reunited with her twin, turning face in the process.

June 29, 2009: Traded to the ECW Brand

On June 29, 2009, Nikki and Brie were traded to the ECW brand and debuted the following night as special guests on The Abraham Washington Show.

June 2010: Feud with Jillian Hall

In June 2010, The Bella Twins developed a feud with Jillian Hall, with Brie defeating Hall after switching places with Nikki, and the feud culminating in a tag team match victory on Superstars.

January 2011: Turning Heel and Attacking Gail Kim

In January 2011, both Bellas turned into villainous characters for the first time in their careers after discovering Daniel Bryan kissing Gail Kim backstage and assaulting her.

March 2012: Friction Between The Bellas

In March 2012, The Bellas began to show friction after both twins lost to AJ Lee in singles competition. Nikki revealed that Brie was rooting for Team Johnny in the 12-man tag team match at WrestleMania XXVIII, whilst Nikki was rooting for Team Teddy, thus furthering their dissension.

2012: Started dating John Cena in 2012

In 2012, Nikki Bella started dating John Cena.

May 2014: Revelation of High School Marriage

In May 2014, Nikki revealed on Total Divas that she had married her high school sweetheart at the age of 20; the marriage was annulled three years later.

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April 2, 2017: Engagement to John Cena

On April 2, 2017, Nikki became engaged to John Cena, who proposed to her after their mixed tag-team match at WrestleMania 33.

April 15, 2018: Engagement Called Off

On April 15, 2018, Nikki and John Cena called off their engagement and canceled their wedding, which was planned for May 5, 2018.

May 5, 2018: Wedding Cancelled

On May 5, 2018, Nikki Bella and John Cena's wedding, which was previously planned, was cancelled after they called off the engagement.

June 20, 2019: Retirement from In-Ring Career

On June 20, 2019, Nikki Bella ended her in-ring career after a cyst was found on her brain.

January 3, 2020: Engagement to Artem Chigvintsev

On January 3, 2020, Nikki Bella and Artem Chigvintsev got engaged.

July 31, 2020: Birth of First Child

On July 31, 2020, Nikki Bella gave birth to her first child, a son, with Artem Chigvintsev.

Others born on this day/year

April 11, 2021: Attack on Bayley at WrestleMania 37

On April 11, 2021, at WrestleMania 37, Nikki, along with her sister Brie, attacked Bayley, turning face once again.

August 26, 2022: Marriage to Artem Chigvintsev

On August 26, 2022, Nikki Bella and Artem Chigvintsev were married.

March 14, 2023: Departure from WWE

On March 14, 2023, Nikki and Brie announced on their podcast, "The Nikki & Brie Show", that they and WWE had mutually agreed not to renew their contracts. They subsequently reintroduced themselves as The Garcia Twins.

2023: Contract Expiration and Return to Garcia Surname

After their contracts with WWE expired in 2023, Nikki and Brie retired the "Bella" surname and returned to their legal maiden name of "Garcia" professionally, reintroducing themselves as The Garcia Twins.

August 29, 2024: Artem Chigvintsev's Arrest

On August 29, 2024, Artem Chigvintsev was booked into Napa County Jail on a felony domestic violence charge involving corporal injury to a spouse.

September 11, 2024: Divorce Filing

On September 11, 2024, Nikki Bella filed for divorce from Artem Chigvintsev, citing irreconcilable differences and seeking custody of their child. Restraining orders were granted to both parties.

July 28, 2025: Injury on Raw

On the July 28, 2025 episode of Raw, Nikki Bella suffered an injury while battling Piper Niven during an eight-woman tag team match, with her breast implants being dislocated and then afterwards pushed down right into her ribs after she received an elbow drop.

August 1, 2025: Podcast Episode Reveals Injury

On the August 1, 2025 episode of her and her sister's podcast show Nikki and Brie, Bella revealed that she suffered an injury on the July 28, 2025 episode of Raw.