If you've been playing MMOs for "8-9 years 24/7 pvp and pve" then you should be able to recognize a tank when you see it. Gladiator is a tank, not a "hack and slash" (you seem to be meaning DPS?) class. That's why they use a shield, and have taunt abilities.
If you don't know how to properly tank, as the amount of dungeon kicks you've gotten seems to suggest, then consider just buying a weapon for one of the other physical DPS classes like Lancer/Archer/Puglist, equip it, and presto - you're now that class instead.
