It delighted me that I found out what was wrong, though I'm still unsure of why it happened. The MME is the XO1 esc, which I mentioned in my first post. It does not calibrate with non-Traxxas receivers for some reason which is why you must unlock it with the TQi Rx and Tx. I hooked up that radio system I bought specifically to unlock it since all the hobby shops around were not kind enough to let me use it for this one purpose. Yes I have the Traxxas link box unchecked because otherwise it would be impossible to change settings, which I said I could do. As for the lipo cutoff, I'm not sure if that is user error. I actually couldn't tell if the batteries were lower than 3v hence the power loss when on throttle, or if the lipo cutoff was not detecting 3.4v per cell as per my settings in castle link. The lipo cutoffs in these mamba escs is kind of unique in that holding throttle when the cutoff activates makes the power oscillate a little. I sort of observed this so I'm pretty sure the cutoff just doesn't work. I'll probably buy a lipo alarm and just disable the cutoff in castle link.

Lots of words typed...I think my issue is resolved after exhausting every option I could think of. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to rebind/calibrate it back to my spektrum receivers. Thanks for the help.