Alright, I gave up on it last night because a few cold beverages made me not care about it!
I just took a go at it with a flathead to pry it and it worked like a charm...super simple! I needed to get it out because the person I bought my OTP from installed is so the ash sweep and catch can handles were on the back side of the kettle
Got it all sorted out thought, now time for a cold beverage
Thanks for the help everyone!