Amber Judith Flora, 34, known in the wrestling ring and on social media as Amber Nova, was arrested early Friday morning, October 23, after Orlando police say an officer spotted her driving an orange, two-door Chevrolet at what he perceived to be a high rate of speed.
Nova is an independent professional wrestler who has appeared on WWE NXT, AEW, and Impact Wrestling. She's also a classic-car enthusiast whose public identity revolves around American muscle cars, particularly her 1973 Chevrolet Nova, which helped inspire her nickname, "The American Muscle Mechanic."
According to a four-page sworn arrest affidavit obtained by Guessing Headlights, the officer described the vehicle as an "orange, two-door Chevrolet sedan." An orange two-door Nova also features prominently on the wrestler's social media, although the affidavit does not identify the Chevrolet's year or model.
The officer reported observing lane deviations and a stop beyond a crosswalk before pulling the Chevrolet over near L.B. McLeod Road and President Barack Obama Parkway in Orlando. Nova was subsequently arrested on charges of driving under the influence and refusing to submit to DUI testing. The affidavit provides a detailed account of the encounter, including her statements about drinking and the roadside exercises that preceded her arrest.
The Chevrolet
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Nova's connection to Chevrolet began long before her wrestling career. Her father restored classic cars, and at approximately 17, she bought a six-cylinder, four-door 1973 Nova through Craigslist. She drove it for nearly a decade before acquiring the two-door that later became closely associated with her wrestling persona.
The upgrade came through an unlikely source. A 2020 Timeless Muscle feature recounts how WWE executive Stephanie McMahon surprised Nova during filming for Celebrity Undercover Boss. In a segment that reportedly never aired, McMahon awarded her $10,000 toward buying her dream car.
Nova put the four-door up for sale and acquired another 1973 Nova, which she and her father extensively restored. Its small-block Chevrolet V8 was enlarged to 355 cubic inches, with a Holley Street Dominator intake, Edelbrock carburetor, Competition Cams camshaft, and four-speed manual transmission operated by a Hurst shifter. The car also received bodywork and a repaint.
The modified Chevrolet became her daily driver and an integral part of her public image. Even WWE's coverage of her 2018 match against Nikki Cross referenced her 1973 Chevrolet. In a 2022 Daily DDT interview, Nova explained the connection: "My gimmick is my real-life character."
A Stop After Midnight
The October 23 encounter began around 12:45 a.m., when Officer A. Cordero noticed the orange Chevrolet traveling westbound on L.B. McLeod Road. He reported that it appeared to be speeding, although no measured speed appears in the affidavit. He followed the car after observing it fail to maintain its lane and stop beyond the crosswalk at a red light.
Officer Alvin Silverio arrived to assist and reported smelling alcohol from inside the Chevrolet. When he asked Nova where she had been, she initially described visiting bars with friends, then said she had only driven past them before mentioning house parties. Silverio also noticed a green wristband that he believed resembled one issued by an establishment serving alcohol.
Nova initially denied drinking but subsequently acknowledged having red wine while cooking at home, first describing one glass and later admitting to more than one, Silverio wrote. During the conversation, she repeatedly asked whether he could follow her home to ensure she arrived safely, explaining that she lived approximately two miles away.
The officer explained that he could not determine the investigation's outcome until it was completed. After asking questions about the consequences of participating, Nova eventually agreed to voluntary field sobriety exercises.
Silverio reported observing involuntary eye movements during the horizontal gaze nystagmus exercise, missed heel-to-toe steps and an improper turn during the walk-and-turn, and swaying and lowered feet during the one-leg stand. When Nova said she had been distracted, he allowed her to repeat the final exercise, documenting similar observations.
Silverio concluded that the combined circumstances established probable cause for DUI and arrested her at approximately 1:48 a.m.
Four Attempts, No Reading
At the Orange County Sheriff's Office DUI Testing Center, an operator documented bloodshot, glassy eyes, slow speech, and an odor of alcohol on Nova's breath. The same report describes her as cooperative during the initial observation period.
The subsequent breath-testing sequence was more complicated. Nova initially refused testing and, after being warned of the consequences, reportedly struggled to decide whether to proceed. Officers initiated the equipment, but two attempts produced no valid samples. She also requested to speak with an attorney.
Before officers finalized the refusal, the operator wrote that Nova pleaded with them to let her take the test. They restarted the equipment and offered two more attempts, but reported that she continued talking rather than providing valid samples. At 3:31 a.m., officers classified the encounter as a refusal.
All four attempts were recorded as "NSP," meaning no sample provided. The documents therefore contain no measured blood-alcohol concentration, and they do not establish whether Nova exceeded Florida's 0.08 threshold.
That does not necessarily prevent a DUI prosecution. Florida permits DUI charges based on impairment of normal faculties without a numerical breath-alcohol result.
The refusal charge also falls under a Florida law amended in 2025. Since October 1 of that year, a first refusal to submit to a lawful breath or urine test can constitute a second-degree misdemeanor when statutory requirements are satisfied. A conviction can carry up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine, in addition to a separate administrative license suspension of one year.
Whether Nova's conduct meets those requirements remains a matter for the court.
The Cases Ahead
Nova was booked into Orange County Jail at 5:40 a.m. and released at approximately 10:07 a.m. on October 23. She faces a first-degree misdemeanor DUI charge and a second-degree misdemeanor refusal charge. Media reports identify November 2 as her next court-related date.
The arrest affidavit confirms that Silverio's body-worn camera was active during the investigation. Guessing Headlights has requested the footage from Orlando Police and contacted Nova directly, offering her an opportunity to share her account of the incident. No response had been received at the time of publication.
All parties are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.