Somewhere the cables are binding or something is holding it in place. Removing the front cover is not going to get you any further. You can see a nylon nut on Titans back side pic which holds on the black cover. Perhaps you need more surface area in your pry tool to prevent cracking. Personally I think it comes down to pushing the cables towards the bow and prying the shifter out.

Titan when you removed yours was there much resistance??