A multi-layer steel cylinder head gasket includes a spacer layer between two beaded mirror image outer layers. A wire ring stopper extends about the boundary of a combustion opening in the stopper layer; the ring is radially spaced from the mirror image beaded outer layer extremities. The ring is covered by a flange folded thereover; the flange extends radially outwardly to overlie the boundary edge of the stopper layer at the combustion opening. The stopper ring pre-stresses the gasket interface at the combustion opening upon securement of a cylinder head to an engine block. Because the stopper ring is spaced from the beaded outer layers, the stresses imposed on the wire ring are decoupled from the beaded outer layers, and lower incidences of bead cracking are realized. In addition, the wire ring diameter is greater than the thickness of the stopper layer, reducing unnecessary compression loads on the stopper layer.