UPDATE:

I think I found a solution to the problem. I can basically use the merge function to get 2 animated models in the scene, and then animate the moves out twice for the model on the left. One for the move, and then one for the reaction to the move. I can keep the cycle of export/merge going in order to get uniformity and to make sure the frames are in sync w/ the move of the other character..

this is my theory at this point at least... I'm sure there are other industry standards out there, like whatever the makers of Splinter Cell used to animate the fireman's carry and rear naked choke move inte4ractions, but I'm trying to get this to work w/ MED at this point of my testing.