Okay, waterpump blew last weekend. The car never overheated but the water pump leaked really bad. So I changed it out and bled it out correctly but the car started overheating like crazy so I shut it off. Last night I pulled the Stat out and put it in boiling water and it didn't open up until around 220-230*. So that's my problem.

My question is, if the thing opened up at 230* or so, then why didn't it stay around 230* according to the gauge cluster? Why did it skyrocket to the red zone? Of course I'm getting an new stat, but I'm just curious.

 

It's very possible that you still had some air in the system.
Also you said the stat. didn't open until 220*. Unfortunately this isn't very precise as a 190* thermostat will only start to open at 190* and won't be fully opened until it reaches a higher temp.
I would test it again, and this time increase the water temp. very slowly. If the stat. cracks at 190* and is fully opened by 220* it's probably ok.
One thing that helps when bleeding the system is to raise the front as high as possible. This is because the top of the engine is higher then the top of the radiator, so the air propogates into the engine insead of into the rad. there it can be bled off.
Also don't forget to run your heater while bleeding the system, air will often get trapped in the core or lines and show up later.

 

Agreed with above, it seriously sounds like you have air pockets in there. use your bleeder screws