Ricky strikes me as the type of guy who would just straight up ask for a new contract if he wanted one. This is the guy who, at least according to his own story, said “What the fuck about it?” when confronted by someone high up in AEW about attending the Rumble with Cody.
And this isn’t Japan. No need to talk around what you’re asking for.
No, I think he was quite clearly communicating what he wanted (allegedly!).