>>14815231He didn't suddenly become a normal guy he transitioned gradually. Beginning with his face run in 1997 he began opening up more as a relatable human character, explained that he "embraced darkness" as a means to cope with the loss of his parents, rather than being a literal zombie. He went through several gimmick changes after that with the ministry and what not and the supernatural elements would come and go during that period, sometimes he'd be treated more like a regular guy and sometimes more like the deadman. After the Ministry ended in '99 his promos became a lot more human and he spoke in a more natural cadence, and would often do interviews and promos backstage in street clothes with his bandana and sunglasses, while still coming out to wrestle in his typical Undertaker gear to his spooky music.
His return in 2000 was when they fully committed to the new gimmick but it wasn't as if it came out of nowhere.
