Nikki Bella takes off wedding ring while hosting hot dog eating contest after husband arrested for domestic violence

Nikki Bella returned to work just days after her husband Artem Chigvintsev was arrested on domestic violence charges.

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

Bella made her first public appearance since Chigvintsev’s arrest in “Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef,” which aired on Netflix.

Bella, who now goes by the name Nikki Garcia, did not wear her wedding ring for the event. She wore a sleeveless red top with matching pants, as well as platform shoes and red lipstick.

The star looked in high spirits as she hosted the competition alongside Rob Riggle.

After being introduced by Riggle, 54, he told the audience, “Thank you, everybody. I’m so happy to be here!”

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

Bella was also not wearing her wedding ring as she boarded a private plane from California to Las Vegas on Saturday morning. She was accompanied by her and Chigvintsev’s 4-year-old son, Matteo.

On Thursday, Chigvintsev, 42, was charged with domestic violence in Napa, California, where he lives with his wife and son.

The Post obtained online records that showed Chigvintsev was charged 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.”

Paramedics and the fire department were also reportedly on their way to Chigvintsev’s home before the dancer’s arrest. Chigvintsev called 911 and claimed Bella threw a shoe at him during the argument. He called back a few minutes later to tell emergency services not to come.

The “Dancing with the Stars” pro was released on $25,000 bail. His photo was also made public.

The alleged victim requested that his identity be kept strictly confidential.

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

Following Chigvintsev’s arrest, a source told Page Six that there were “no plans” for Chigvintsev to appear on Season 33 of “DWTS,” which premieres Sept. 17 on ABC.

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

Three days before Chigvintsev’s arrest they celebrated their second wedding anniversary.

Bella marked the milestone by sharing a highlight reel from her wedding to Chigvintsev in Paris in 2022. 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 even described Bella as his “everything” on Instagram.

Following Chigvintsev’s arrest, TMZ reported that the professional dancer’s marriage to Bella has long been “volatile,” according to friends of the couple and former “DWTS” cast and crew members.

Unidentified sources said the two have a history of verbal altercations, but they are not aware of any physical altercation between the two prior to the alleged incident.

He 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