Just when you thought Nikki Bella couldn’t serve up more drama, she waltzes into a hot dog eating contest without her wedding ring, turning heads and raising eyebrows. All this happens just days after her husband, Artem Chigvintsev, got slapped with some serious charges.

Nikki Is Focusing On Work After Her Husband’s Arrest

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On Monday, September 2, the Total Bellas star, looking as fierce as ever, cohosted Netflix’s Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef alongside comedian Rob Riggle. Nikki, 40, took to the stage at Luxor’s HyperX Arena in Las Vegas with undeniable flair.

"I’m so happy to be here," she told the crowd, flashing a smile as a fan shouted their love for her. Always gracious, she responded, "I love you too."

But Nikki didn’t just show up—she showed out. Dressed in a sizzling red jumpsuit with matching lipstick, she exuded confidence. Her hair cascaded in loose curls, and she accessorized with some eye-catching jewelry—though fans quickly noticed that her left-hand ring finger was noticeably bare.

Instead, she sported a ring on her right hand and another on her left middle finger. Talk about making a statement without uttering a word!

Let’s not ignore the elephant in the room—or rather, the absence of her wedding ring. This appearance came hot on the heels of Artem’s August 29 arrest. The Dancing With the Stars pro, 42, was taken into custody at Napa County Jail on a felony domestic violence charge. Bail was set at a hefty $25,000, which he posted later that afternoon.

Artem Is Being Charged With Domestic Assault

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The charges against Artem fall under section 273.5(a) of the California Penal Code, which involves inflicting injury on a spouse, cohabitant, or co-parent. Napa Valley Sheriff’s PIO, Henry Wofford, shared that the victim—presumably Nikki—requested confidentiality.

He also noted that Artem was not aggressive during the arrest. But seriously, could this drama get any messier?

Oh wait, it does! According to a 911 call obtained by TMZ, Artem himself called for medical assistance during the alleged altercation, claiming Nikki threw shoes at him during a heated argument.

The dispatcher relayed, "Initially came in as requesting medical, but now he is stating he got into an argument with his wife and his wife threw shoes at [the reporting party]." To add more intensity to the situation, their 4-year-old son, Matteo, was reportedly present when it all went down.

With the domestic battery charges hanging over Artem’s head and Nikki publicly ditching her wedding ring, fans are left wondering if this couple is on the brink of a breakup. The drama is real, and the cracks in their relationship are becoming more apparent with each passing day.

Despite the chaos behind closed doors, Nikki knows how to keep the show going. Her appearance at the hot dog eating contest wasn’t just a job—it felt like a statement. The ring-free hand speaks volumes, and fans are on high alert, waiting to see if she’ll address the situation anytime soon (she released a brief statement via her rep last week, but only to ask for privacy).

One thing's for sure: between her bold fashion choice, her confidence on stage, and the obvious lack of wedding bling, Nikki Bella isn’t going to let anyone—or anything—dim her shine, whether Artem is by her side or not.

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