Not all top rope moves involve diving onto an opponent lying on the mat. CM Punk got his start working the American independent federations and traveling the world prior to his arrival in WWF/E. His straight edge gimmick harkened back to the days of Jake "The Snake" Roberts, where a wrestler could work the crowd into whatever frenzy, typically unbridled anger, was needed for that night. Punk's finisher involved bringing his opponent to the top rope and delivering a double underhook facebuster. Today, we call that move (minus the top rope part) a Pedigree. To put into perspective the danger of this move, early in HHH's career, he almost broke someone's neck when the took a Pedigree incorrectly. Punk was pulling this move from the top rope.
1. Shooting Star Press: Jushin "Thunder" Liger
Jushin "Thunder" Liger is recognized across the wresting world, regardless of generation or location, as one of the most innovative and respected wrestlers ever. Any move that today's cruiserweights, light heavyweights, X-Division wrestlers, etc. was either innovated by Liger, is done in tribute to him, or a tweak based on a move he pulled off first. While there are plenty of Liger's top rope moves to choose from, his shooting star press gets the nod since it is his invention. From the top rope, Liger would back flip before splashing down onto his opponent. Billy Kidman used it as his finisher, but it didn't look nearly as smooth and would sometimes deliver an unforeseen concussion. Brock Lesnar tried it and almost broke his neck.