After another late night of delving deep into the code, i figured out a workaround (maybe this is the expected solution).
Perhaps i should have posted this code sample right away:
skeletonAnimation = this.gameObject.AddComponent<SkeletonAnimation>();
skeletonAnimation.skeletonDataAsset = GameManager.MainSkeletonData();
skeletonAnimation.Initialize();
skeletonAnimation.skeleton.SetSkin("orange_f");
This was not working.
I got it working by either setting the initial skin to "orange_f" OR by calling SetSlotsToSetupPose() after setting the skin.
I think this is just my own fault for asuming that my code was correct, but i thought i saw similar code elsewhere, ha!
In addition, perhaps my skeletonJson is set up in a way that the default animation just doesn't want to show up (the default is very much like the goblins setup).
If you want any of my files, just let me know, but i think i got this one all wrapped up now!
Now that i see moving pictures, the fun can begin, lol!