Throughout the 1990s he wrestled for many independent promotions in Ontario as well in the Great Lakes region of the United States under the name Sexton Hardcastle. He showed much potential and was signed by the then-WWF in 1998.
Many thought that upon his arrival, he would be the next Shawn Michaels. Copeland has found some success in WWE, but not to the magnitude as Michaels has found, however Copeland is still young. He was at first an enigma, but has bloomed into a charismatic wrestler with solid ring skills and great microphone skills.
In 2002, Copeland suffered a neck injury that required surgery that will keep him sidelined for close to a year. He currently writes a column on WWE.com while he rehabilitates his neck injury, and is scheduled to return to the ring in spring 2004.