LCD has lines in it after replacing digitizer and home button.

Here's my issue:

I bought a new screen for an ipad 5th gen, model 1822. I was SUPER careful, ESD safe tools used to remove flex connectors (the nylon spuder). The new screen I ordered came preinstalled with a home button (the other one was severed in the break). They attached the home button ON TOP of the clear plastic film on the back of the screen. I did my best, but when I removed the cable somehow I broke it. The cable looks fine, no sign of stress or damage.. but nonetheless it doesnt work anymore. During all of this the LCD was fine.

Side note: I did not put anything under the battery connector because it looks soldered to the board, and I'd seen a billion repair guides that don't mess with it. So I assumed the iPad 5th gen was more ESD sturdy than lets say... the ipad mini2.

Queue today:

I ordered a new home button, installed it on the new screen, and reassembled the iPad. I turned it on, and a BILLION lines all over the LCD.

Mind you, it was working FINE 12 hours before.... just no home button function on the new screen... thus my replacement....

I reseated the LCD, removed the flex cable from the plate to make sure it wasn't bent... I've tried all the basic stuff I know to do.

I'm going to assume the LCD flex cabled got damaged somehow... but would anything goofball like a fuse cause the LCD to have lines?

I overnight another LCD to try in the morning.. so hopefully that's all it is.

Also - How exactly do the Digitizer cables fold into that space? Any help or hints with that installation would be appreciated... during all of this I've not fully seated the screen.