OK, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't crazy. The reason that key combo "didn't work before" was because the stock recovery loads and wipes the data, then checks for an update.zip file. If the file isn't there, it exits immediately. (hence, the quick logo popup)
Anyway, now I'm kinda bricked due to not flashing the ROM per the suggestion above. Really, I don't know what would have bricked it. (not my ally -- incredible user here) But the thing is, I can't get past the Verizon logo. Since I don't have the custom recovery flashed, I can't use the keypress to get into recovery and stay there. Also, I'm really not sure on the keypress for fastboot. Anyone wanna help me out now?
UPDATE: My bad. So, I'm stuck at the end of the Verizon bootup animation but for whatever reason, I can still get adb running. I should be up and going here shortly.
UPDATE: So, yes, apparently I got stuck somewhere after the Verizon Wireless animation. Apparently, this far into it you can do ADB and reboot to fastboot if you don't have the recovery flashed. I also restored a Nandroid backup where I hadn't flashed the custom recovery and had to re-flash it.