I really don't understand why anyone should need the "push" of a distro to
the CLI;
if you want to use it, then just start. Throw away all graphical
configuration tools, maybe install another desktop environment like fluxbox
and delete everything remaining from gnome.
For people who want to work almost CLI only, but need things like a graphical
browser or a running xserver for certain purposes, I can recommend the
desktop-environment "herbstluftwm".
It's very keyboard-based, very different to other DEs and extremely
simplistic.
You can control with your keyboard how your screen will be parted; every part
can be "filled" with windows and some users give one default part to the
terminal.
Maybe an option for you.
