Unable to verify old account

I made this gmail account around 2015 and never really used it, but now want to start transitioning from my hotmail to my gmail. Upon trying to log in, it says that they need to verify I am the true owner of the account, despite me putting in the correct password.

So I ask for an email to my recovery account (which I still have access to), get the code they email me, and then put in my phone number and give them the code I get from the text. After that, I just keep getting hit with the "we cannot verify you are the account owner" over and over. There's no other prompt I'm getting.

I've tried using "Try another way to sign in" and using the "confirm recovery email," followed by inputting my "last remembered password (again the password I'm using is correct)" but still get hit with the "we cannot verify you are the owner." Sometimes I just hit the "try a different method" button and it just says "sorry something went wrong, try again later" over and over.

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The gmail account is basically my real name, yet I am unable to somehow prove it is mine despite knowing the account email and password, AND having access to the recovery email. The only thing I don't remember if I had done is set up 2FA or any recovery questions, but I'm sure I have some questions set, but Ive never been prompted to answer any.

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Any help is appreciated. I'd love to get my old account back with my proper name and not have to create a new one with abbreviations or such.