Why John Cena and Nikki Bella Are Not Married: A Complete Relationship Timeline

John Cena and Nikki Bella are not married because they officially ended their engagement in April 2018, just weeks before their scheduled wedding. The primary reason for their split was a fundamental disagreement regarding starting a family. Both have since married other partners and moved forward with their respective lives and careers.

The Foundation of a WWE Power Couple (2012–2017)

The relationship between John Cena and Nikki Bella (born Stephanie Nicole Garcia-Colace) began in late 2012. At the time, both were central figures in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Cena was the undisputed face of the company, a multi-time world champion, and a burgeoning Hollywood star. Nikki Bella, along with her twin sister Brie, was revolutionizing the women’s division, eventually becoming the longest-reigning Divas Champion in history.

Their romance was unique because it played out largely in the public eye, not just on wrestling programs like Monday Night Raw, but specifically through the lens of reality television. As stars of the E! Network hit Total Divas and its spin-off Total Bellas, every milestone, argument, and private conversation was documented for millions of viewers. This level of exposure created a narrative that fans became deeply invested in, making the eventual revelation that they were not married even more shocking to the general public.

Early in their relationship, the couple established clear boundaries. Cena, who had previously been married to Elizabeth Huberdeau from 2009 to 2012, was initially hesitant about marriage and adamant that he did not want children. Nikki Bella, conversely, expressed a deep-seated desire for marriage and motherhood. For years, the tension between these two conflicting life goals was a central theme of their reality television appearances.

The Proposal That Captivated the World

The pinnacle of their public relationship occurred on April 2, 2017, at WrestleMania 33 in Orlando, Florida. After defeating The Miz and Maryse in a mixed tag team match, Cena dropped to one knee in the center of the ring. He presented Nikki with a custom-designed diamond ring and proposed in front of a live audience of over 75,000 fans and millions watching worldwide.

The proposal was framed as a "real-life" fairy tale within the world of sports entertainment. It seemed to signify that Cena had shifted his stance on marriage. Following the engagement, the couple began planning a lavish destination wedding in Mexico, scheduled for May 5, 2018. As 2026 looks back on this era, the WrestleMania 33 proposal remains one of the most-watched clips in WWE history, serving as a bittersweet reminder of a union that never reached the altar.

Why the Wedding Was Canceled: The 2018 Split

The news that John Cena and Nikki Bella were not married first broke in April 2018, less than a month before their wedding date. Through a joint statement, the couple announced their decision to separate, requesting privacy during the difficult period.

The dissolution of the relationship was not due to a lack of affection but rather a realization that their long-term requirements for happiness were irreconcilable. While Cena had eventually agreed to the marriage and even expressed a willingness to undergo a reversal of his vasectomy to have children with Nikki, the emotional toll of the negotiation had become too heavy.

Nikki Bella later revealed in her memoir, Incomparable, and through various interviews, that she felt she was forcing Cena into a life he didn't truly want. She feared that if they stayed together, he might eventually resent her for the lifestyle changes he made solely to keep the relationship alive. The internal conflict led to "cold feet," but not in the traditional sense; it was a profound realization that their paths were no longer aligned.

The Brief Reconciliation Attempt

Following the April 2018 split, there was a period of several months where the couple attempted to work through their issues. They were spotted together in public, and Cena made several media appearances expressing his love for Nikki. However, by July 2018, they confirmed the breakup was permanent. Nikki Bella emphasized that she needed to find herself and prioritize her own needs, which included the certainty of becoming a mother without feeling like she had coerced her partner into the role.

Where Are They Now? Life in 2026

As of 2026, the question of why John Cena and Nikki Bella are not married is a matter of historical record, as both have built entirely separate lives and families.

John Cena's Life and Marriage

John Cena moved on to a relationship with Shay Shariatzadeh, an engineer he met while filming the movie Playing with Fire in Vancouver. The couple kept their relationship much more private than Cena’s previous high-profile romance. They married on October 12, 2020, in a private ceremony in Tampa, Florida, and later held a second wedding celebration in Vancouver in 2022.

In the years leading up to 2026, Cena transitioned into a full-time Hollywood career, headlined by his role as Peacemaker in the DC Universe and various blockbuster franchises. In 2025, Cena embarked on a highly publicized retirement tour with WWE, marking the end of his in-ring career. His marriage to Shariatzadeh has remained stable and largely out of the tabloid spotlight, contrasting sharply with the "reality TV" nature of his time with Bella.

Nikki Bella's Life and Marriage

Nikki Bella found love again with her former Dancing with the Stars partner, Artem Chigvintsev. Their professional partnership on the show in 2017 eventually turned romantic after her split from Cena. Nikki and Artem announced their engagement in early 2020.

A major turning point in Nikki's life occurred on July 31, 2020, when she gave birth to her son, Matteo Artemovich Chigvintsev. This fulfilled her long-standing dream of becoming a mother—a goal that had been the primary point of contention in her relationship with Cena. Nikki and Artem officially married in August 2022 in Paris. In 2026, Nikki continues to manage her various business ventures, including the Bella Radici wine brand and her clothing line, Birdiebee, while remaining an ambassador for WWE.

Key Milestones: John Cena and Nikki Bella Relationship Timeline

The Impact of Reality Television on Their Relationship

One cannot discuss why John Cena and Nikki Bella are not married without acknowledging the role of the E! Network shows Total Divas and Total Bellas. For six years, the couple’s relationship functioned as a "work-shoot"—a wrestling term for a real-life situation utilized for entertainment purposes.

The cameras captured deeply personal moments, including Cena’s strict household rules, his initial refusal to marry, and the agonizing conversations about children. While this transparency brought them fame and financial success, it also placed immense pressure on the relationship. Fans felt they had a "vote" in the couple's future, and the constant scrutiny made it difficult for them to evolve privately.

In retrospect, the reality show provided a roadmap of their eventual demise. Viewers saw the red flags years before the split occurred. The show documented the fundamental differences in their personalities: Cena’s structured, disciplined, and sometimes rigid lifestyle versus Nikki’s spontaneous and family-oriented nature. By the time they reached 2018, the distance between those two lifestyles had become unbridgeable.

Professional Legacies and Final Thoughts

While John Cena and Nikki Bella are not married and have not been a couple for nearly eight years, their impact on the entertainment industry as a duo remains significant. They helped bridge the gap between professional wrestling and mainstream celebrity culture.

• John Cena has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest WWE superstars of all time and a successful actor. His 2025 farewell tour was a celebration of a career that spanned over two decades.
• Nikki Bella was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2020 (ceremony held in 2021) alongside her sister Brie. She transformed the "Diva" archetype into a powerful brand for women in sports and business.

Their story serves as a high-profile example of how even deep love cannot always overcome fundamental differences in life goals. The fact that both found happiness, marriage, and fulfillment with other partners suggests that their decision to cancel their 2018 wedding was the correct one for both parties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did John Cena and Nikki Bella ever actually get married?

No, they never officially married. Although they were engaged for about a year and had a wedding scheduled for May 2018 in Mexico, they called off the engagement approximately three weeks before the ceremony took place.

Who is John Cena married to in 2026?

John Cena is married to Shay Shariatzadeh. The couple began dating in 2019 and married in October 2020. Shariatzadeh is a Canadian engineer and tech professional who generally maintains a private profile compared to Cena’s previous partners.

Who is Nikki Bella married to in 2026?

Nikki Bella is married to Artem Chigvintsev, a professional dancer known for his work on Dancing with the Stars. They married in August 2022 and have one son together, Matteo.

Why did John Cena and Nikki Bella break up?

The primary reason for the breakup was their disagreement over having children. Nikki Bella desperately wanted to be a mother, while John Cena had long maintained that he did not want to raise children due to his career commitments and personal preferences. Though Cena eventually offered to change his mind, the relationship had already suffered significant strain.

Do John Cena and Nikki Bella have any children together?

No, they do not have any children together. Nikki Bella has one son, Matteo, with her husband Artem Chigvintsev. John Cena does not have any children.

Are John Cena and Nikki Bella still on good terms?

While they are no longer in each other's lives on a daily basis, both have expressed mutual respect in interviews over the years. They have moved on to separate lives, but they remain linked through their shared history in WWE and their joint inductions into various sports entertainment milestones.

Practical Recommendation for Fans and Researchers

If you are looking for more detailed accounts of their relationship dynamics, the best primary sources are Nikki Bella’s memoir, Incomparable, and the archive of "The Bellas Podcast" (now known as The Nikki & Brie Show). These sources provide Nikki's firsthand perspective on the emotional complexities of the split. For the professional side of their relationship, WWE's official website maintains a digital archive of their matches and the televised proposal at WrestleMania 33. To understand the timeline of their respective new marriages, reputable entertainment outlets like People Magazine and E! Online provide verified reports on their life developments between 2018 and 2026.